Tarbes, France

Tarbes

The town hall of Tarbes

Coat of arms

Tarbes

Location within Occitanie region

Tarbes

Coordinates: 43°14′N 0°04′E / 43.23°N 0.07°ECoordinates: 43°14′N 0°04′E / 43.23°N 0.07°E

Country

Chief town of 5 cantons

Intercommunality

Grand Tarbes

Government

• Mayor (From 2001)

Gérard Trémège (PR)

Area¹

15.33 km² (5.92 sq mi)

Population (2011)²

48,166

• Density

3,100/km² (8,100/sq mi)

Time zone

CET (UTC+1)

• Summer (DST)

CEST (UTC+2)

INSEE/Postal code

65440 / 65000

Elevation

284–326 m (932–1,070 ft)
(avg. 304 m or 997 ft)

¹ French Land Register data, which excludes lakes, ponds, glaciers > 1 km² (0.386 sq mi or 247 acres) and river estuaries.

²Population without double counting: residents of multiple communes (e.g., students and military personnel) only counted once.

¹ French Land Register data, which excludes lakes, ponds, glaciers > 1 km² (0.386 sq mi or 247 acres) and river estuaries.

Tarbes (French pronunciation: [taʁb]; Occitan: Tarba) is a commune in the Hautes-Pyrénées department in the Occitanie region of southwestern France. It is the capital of Bigorre. It has been a commune since 1790. It was known as Turba or Tarba in Roman times. Tarbes is part of the historical region of Gascony.

Formerly of strong industrial tradition, Tarbes today tries to diversify its activities, particularly in aeronautics and high tech around the different zones of activities which are increasing. The recent development of Tarbais beans () and other regional specialties also shows a willingness to develop the agri-food industry thus justifying its nickname of "market town". With 116,056 inhabitants in 2011, it is the second largest metropolitan area () in the Occitanie region. Its 42,888 inhabitants are called Tarbaises and the Tarbais.

It is the seat of the diocese of Tarbes-et-Lourdes. The 1st Parachute Hussar Regiment and 35th Parachute Artillery Regiment are stationed in Tarbes.

Tarbes is a Pre-Pyrenees town within the rich agricultural plain of the river Adour, 155 kilometres (96 miles) southwest of Toulouse, 144 kilometres (89 miles) to the east of Bayonne, 70 kilometres (43 miles) southwest of Auch and 20 kilometres (12 miles) northeast of Lourdes. Tarbes is 1 hr 30 mins from the Atlantic Ocean, 2 hrs 50 mins from the Languedoc coast and 35 minutes from the nearest ski resorts. It is located at an average elevation of 304 metres (997 feet).

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