The Jean Bear, Mascot of the Chalet La Source

Upon arrival at the chalet, we notice this little stone bear which points its muzzle, from the top of its rock where the source flows.

We baptized it Jean.

A name in the blink of an eye to its creator, the sculptor Jean-Jacques Abdallah ....

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

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

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

Passionate sculptor of the Pyrenees where he has lived since his childhood, his works are largely inspired by the animal world, characterized by simple lines, with a geometric tendency, which “come out of the stone”.

Jean-Jacques also produced, the Saint Martin de Gaillagos, the Aries and Taurus of Arras-en-Lavedan, the Cauterets eagle on the Demontzey path, and many other works of the smallest to the most monumental.

Do not hesitate to meet Jean-Jacques Abdallah , by appointment, in his workshop in Arras in Lavedan. A wide exhibition of works in an exceptional view awaits you. The sculptor also works on order, like this "little Jean" in Marble d'Arudy, which we wanted to Joufflu!

Jean de l'Ours, hero of the Pyrenean tales.

Jean, it is also the name of a character typical of Pyrenean and Occitan mythology, Jean de l'Ours (Joan de l'Ors), which we find from the books of old tales, even in comics modern, like this illustration by Jean-Claude Pertuzé in 1988.

The legend says that John was given birth by a shepherdess, removed and loved by a bear. A human apparently but endowed with the strength of a bear, the young Jean managed to lift the rock obstrurating the cave that imprisoned them, and joined the village, not without having promised his mother to one day return it.

Among men, the young John took the profession of blacksmith , where his colossal strength made wonder. Las, intelligent and good but clumsy and wild, Jean who became "Jean de l'Ours" became the victim of the mockery of men . He then left the village to go on the vast world, equipped with a huge iron cane that He was forged .

Together, they lived incredible adventures, rich in fights against extraordinary creatures.

His greatest feat was to release three princesses, daughters of the King of France , of the dungeon in which they were locked up, eliminating the bad creature which kept access - represented by a snake on this engraving by Edouard Zier (1885) .

A love was born between John and the youngest of the three sisters , "who knew the secret of the balm who healed everything". The grateful king authorized this marriage.

Once married, Jean held his promise towards his mother: he bought "a beautiful coach to get his mother and drive her to the castle where they lived happy long".

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

Magnificent legend isn't it?

Come quickly to the chalet La Source Discover this mysterious little Jean Bear!