Paris1972-Versailles2003

We were in our road warrior routine from our base in Pau ,and look up a map and decided to visit the towns because of the history and architecture of them, I ,again, found me older pictures new to the blog that should be in , me think, These will be on the towns of Navarrenx and Sauveterre de Béarn in the department 64 Pyrenees Atlantique in the region of Nouvelle Aquitaine. Do read my many posts on them in my blog ! Therefore, let me tell you a bit on the curiosities of the Pyrénées Atlantiques !!! Hope you enjoy the post as I.

In Navarrenx, they were endowed with a new system of bastioned fortifications from 1538 to 1549: Henri d’Albret and Marguerite d’Angoulême, kings of Navarre, with 1.66 km of ramparts 10 meters high, with walls caulked with earth and pierced with fortified gates, four bastions, steps, half-moon, watchtowers, underground countermine galleries.  A powder magazine and a military fountain complete this defensive system as well as an arsenal built later in 1680.  The impressive ramparts took 10 years of construction, reputedly impenetrable and revolutionary, don’t these walls and their plan remind you of someone, a famous military architect for example…. Vauban ! Well little scoop, here in Navarrenx, they were the firsts! And my dear late wife Martine is on one !!!

The city of Navarrenx on its history/heritage:  https://www.ville-navarrenx.fr/decouvrir

The Béarn des Gaves local tourist office on fortified Navarrenx: https://www.tourisme-bearn-gaves.com/en/discover/culture-and-heritage/bearn-des-gaves-cities/navarrenx-the-bastioned-city/

Sauveterre-de-Béarn is located at about 15 km  from the exit of the autoroute A64 connecting Pau with Bayonne via the D933 that takes you to Salies-de-Béarn , Saint Palais etc , We have been by here a lot over the years on our crossing between France and Spain,

The Church Saint André of Sauveterre-de-Béarn, dedicated to Saint-André, was built at a time of transition between the 12C and 13C. Its architecture is a mixture of Romanesque and Gothic styles. On the tympanum are represented St Mathieu (as a young men),  St Mark (as a lion), St Luke (as a bull), and St John (as an eagle). It is a fortified imposing Church. Its situation in the area of the river or gave made it an excellent point of observation vis-à-vis any outside arrival. It is a church as there are few in Béarn, which mixes elements of Romanesque and Gothic architecture. It has a length of 35 meters, a width of 20 meters and at the top of its steeple, reaches the 27 meters. It has 3 naves with the central nave has a height of 13 meters, an apse, two apsidioles, and a transept with 2 beautiful roses.

The town of Sauveterre de Béarn on the church: https://www.sauveterre-de-bearn.fr/tourisme-et-patrimoine/patrimoine/patrimoine-religieux/

The Béarn Gave region tourist office on the church Saint André: https://www.tourisme-bearn-gaves.com/offres/eglise-saint-andre-sauveterre-de-bearn-fr-2226772/

The Church Saint-Girons of Monein dates from the 15C and 16C. It is the largest Gothic church in the  Béarn. It houses a frame built 50 meters long and 18 meters in height, in the form of a double hull of an overturned vessel, Here was the old bishophery from the 6C and from the 10C a  baptistry dedicated to Saint-John-the Baptist.  Later a repenting soldier built a chapel , “Loup-Fort”,where it was dedicated to Saint Mary.

The city of Monein on its heritage : https://www.monein.fr/la-ville/histoire-et-patrimoine/le-patrimoine-bati/

The cœur de Béarn tourist office on the church : https://www.coeurdebearn.com/en/heritage/the-church-of-st-girons-and-its-timber-roof.html

The Church of Saint-Pierre is said to be built by the Viscount de Béarn. It is the testimony of the past greatness of Orthez. It dates from the 14-15C, when the city was the capital of Béarn in the 12C ,following Morlaàs and before Pau. It was an important city at the crossroads of the route from Toulouse to Dax and on the Vicomtale road that led to the Pyrenees, a passage from the Gave de Pau.

The city of Orthez on the Church St Pierre : http://www.mairie-orthez.fr/Decouvrir-Orthez/Patrimoine/Eglise-Saint-Pierre

The local Béarn heartland tourist office on Orthez : https://www.coeurdebearn.com/en/heritage/24-hours-in-orthez.html

There you go folks, something unique in deep south France. This is a wonderful region and we really enjoyed coming here, and always looking forward to be back, eventually, Again, hope you enjoy this post on the curiosities of the Pyrénées Atlantiques as I

And remember, happy travels, good health, and many cheers !!!