Jean the Bear, mascot of Chalet La Source

Upon arrival at the chalet, one notices this small stone bear poking its snout from the top of its rock where the spring flows.

We named him John.

A name that's a nod to its creator, the sculptor Jean-Jacques Abdallah....

But it is also an evocation of a mythical character from the Pyrenees: Jean de l'Ours, and his fabulous legend.

A work by Jean-Jacques Abdallah, a sculptor in love with the Pyrenees

Crafted from Lourdes stone, this little bear was born in 1989 under the chisel and polishing stone of Jean-Jacques Abdallah .

A passionate sculptor of the Pyrenees where he has lived since childhood, his works are largely inspired by the animal world, characterized by simple, geometric lines that "come out of the stone".

Jean-Jacques also created the Saint Martin of Gaillagos, the ram and bull of Arras-en-Lavedan, the eagle of Cauterets on the Demontzey path, and many other works from the smallest to the most monumental.

Don't hesitate to visit Jean-Jacques Abdallah , by appointment, in his Arras-en-Lavedan studio. A large exhibition of his works awaits you there, with an exceptional view. The sculptor also works on commission, like this "Little John" in Arudy marble, which we wanted to be nicely chubby!

Jean de l'Ours, hero of Pyrenean tales.

Jean is also the name of a typical character from Pyrenean and Occitan mythology, Jean de l'Ours (Joan de l'Ors), which can be found from ancient storybooks to modern comic strips, like this illustration by Jean-Claude Pertuzé in 1988.

Legend has it that John was born to a shepherdess who was abducted and loved by a bear. Human in appearance but possessing the strength of a bear, young John managed to lift the rock blocking the cave that imprisoned them and reached the village, not without promising his mother that he would one day return to free her.

Among men, young Jean took up the trade of blacksmith , where his colossal strength proved invaluable. Weary, intelligent, and kind, but clumsy and wild, Jean, now known as "Jean of the Bear," became the target of men's mockery . He then left the village to journey into the wide world, armed with an enormous iron staff he had forged himself . Along the way, he met other strange and strong characters like himself.

Together, they lived incredible adventures, full of battles against extraordinary creatures.

His greatest feat was to free three princesses, daughters of the King of France , from the dungeon in which they were imprisoned, by eliminating the evil creature that guarded the entrance - represented by a serpent in this engraving by Edouard Zier (1885).

A love blossomed between John and the youngest of the three sisters , "who knew the secret of the balm that heals all." The grateful king authorized this marriage.

Once married, Jean kept his promise to his mother: he bought "a beautiful carriage to fetch his mother and take her to the castle where they lived happily ever after".

… It is said that Jean and his wife had so many children that they populated the Pyrenees!

A magnificent legend, isn't it?

Come quickly to Chalet La Source to discover this mysterious little bear, Jean!