From the north to the south, these are: Escot, Lourdios-Ichère, Sarrance, Bedous, Osse-en-Aspe, Aydius, Accous, Lées-Athas, Lescun, Cette-Eygun, Etsaut, Borce and Urdos.
The traditional dialect spoken in the valley is Gascon, a regional variety of Occitan language.
The region has been invaded by many groups through its history: Moors, Romans, Germanic tribes, as well as kingdoms in Spain.
In 1620, the sovereign state of Béarn, in which the valley was located, was annexed by the kingdom of France.
During the Peninsular War in 1808, the troops of Napoleon passed through the valley while invading Spain.