The free-flight show

Plan your arrival around the guided free-flight display. A falconer works the birds one by one above the audience, calling kites, owls and eagles down onto the glove while explaining their hunting styles, flight mechanics and conservation stories. It is pitched to be engaging for children as well as birdwatchers, framed as a real-life lesson in protecting birds of prey.↗↗

The aviary opens in the early afternoon and the show follows shortly after. In mid-season (roughly late July into August) there are typically two displays a day — at 15:00 and again at 16:30 — so you can comfortably see one and explore the grounds at your own pace without rushing. The exact show time depends on the date, so it is worth checking the calendar for the specific day of your visit.↗

For keen birders: falconry workshops

If a one-hour show leaves you wanting more, the centre runs discovery courses in raptors and falconry — half-day or full-day stages for enthusiasts who want hands-on time with the birds and the craft behind keeping and flying them. It is the kind of add-on that turns a passing family visit into a genuine learning experience, and the reason the site is listed as an environmental organisation as well as a tourist attraction.↗↗

Getting there and planning your visit

The venue sits in Arreau itself (65240), in the Hautes-Pyrénées, at the Route de Pailhac / Parking Houssens by the Avenue de la Gare — the GPS position matches the map pin at 42.90715, 0.36061. Coming by road, take the A64 autoroute exit 16 towards Lannemezan–Arreau; it is about 60 km from Tarbes and 140 km from Toulouse, and the site is clearly signposted from the moment you enter town.↗↗

It is also easy to reach without a car: the regional liO bus stops at Arreau–Quai de la Neste on the Lannemezan–Saint-Lary-Soulan line, a short walk (around 500 m) from the aviary.↗

Season, prices and good to know

The Eagles of Aure is a seasonal, open-air attraction — the 2026 season runs from Sunday 5 April to Sunday 31 August, with the aviary opening from mid-afternoon every day except Saturday. Off-season, the site is closed, so check dates before travelling. Admission is around €12 for an adult and €8 for children aged 5 to 12, with under-5s free; reduced group rates apply for bookings of 15 or more made in advance, and payment is accepted in cash, card, cheque or Chèques Vacances.↗↗↗

A couple of practical notes for planning: this is a hillside, partly outdoor venue, so the open sky that makes the flight displays wonderful also means you are exposed to the weather — bring sun protection and a light layer even on warm days. Pets are not admitted, which is good for the birds but worth knowing if you travel with a dog. Access for visitors with limited mobility is handled on a case-by-case basis by arrangement with the centre, so contact them ahead of your visit rather than assuming full step-free access.↗↗↗