Tribute of the Three Cows
Tribute of the Three Cows (short version)
The Tribute of the Three Cows is a yearly peace ceremony between Barétous in Béarn, France, and Roncal in Navarre, Spain. It happens every July 13 at the Col de la Pierre St Martin, near the old border marker that stood for the boundary between the valleys.
What it’s about: Centuries of disputes over grazing lands and water in the Pyrenees led to a peace agreement. In 1375, after arbitration in Ansó, it was agreed that Barétous would pay Roncal a peace tribute of three cows each year. The arrangement helped keep the peace and organize how people could use the land and water.
The ceremony: In the morning, Barétous delegates arrive from the French side and Roncal delegates come from the Spanish side. They meet at the boundary marker. The mayor of Isaba (Roncal’s side) asks Barétous three times, in Spanish, if they agree to pay the tribute. Barétous answers “Sí, señor” each time. Then the delegates place their hands on the boundary marker in turn, ending with the mayor of Isaba. The three cows are shown, examined by a veterinarian, and then divided: two cows go to Isaba and the other is shared with the villages of Uztárroz, Urzainqui, and Garde. A receipt is issued, guards for the grazing areas (passeries) are named, and the records are signed. Afterward, everyone shares a communal meal, traditionally with stewed lamb.
History and changes: The treaty grew from border conflicts in the 13th–14th centuries and was formalized in 1375. The boundary marker was later replaced by a simple marker after 1856. The ceremony has been interrupted a few times, notably during the War of the Convention in 1793 and in 1940 under Nazi occupation.
Modern times: In the 1990s, concerns about cattle health led to changes. Today the cows are usually returned to Barétous after the ceremony, and the tribute is paid in money equal to the value of three cows. The event is now a celebrated cultural heritage festival that draws many visitors, helped by improved road access and nearby tourism facilities.
The Tribute of the Three Cows remains a lasting symbol of peace and cooperation between the Barétous and Roncal valleys.
This page was last edited on 2 February 2026, at 15:54 (CET).