Attractions and Places To See around Viellenave-D'Arthez - Top 15

The original building was erected in the 12th century near the miraculous spring of Sainte-Quitterie (a virgin martyr very popular in the southwest of France). The spring, rebuilt in 1950, was already a place of pilgrimage before the construction of the parish church (its water was said to heal eye diseases and headaches).

The site of the abbey of Saint-Pierre de LARREULE was of great importance in the history of Béarn. During the formation of the Principality of the Pyrenees, around the 10th century, monks organized the large-scale clearing and development of the land; their abbeys were economic units. Only part of the Romanesque abbey church, built in the 12th century and rebuilt in the 16th century after significant destruction by Protestant troops, remains of the abbey. Three Romanesque capitals as well as several listed statues from the 17th and 18th centuries can still be seen there. As the nave (oriented East-West) was never rebuilt, the old Romanesque transept (oriented North-South) served as the nave from the 17th century onwards, when the west wall was erected to complete the church.

The medieval town of Lescar The first traces of life in Lescar date from 2,000 years before our era. History has left many testimonies, such as that of the Gallo-Roman city that was Lescar at the time when it was called Beneharnum. Today, one can notably see in Lescar Gallo-Roman remains, 12th century ramparts, a 14th century prison tower, its cathedral in its heart... Everything invites you to wonder. Lescar has always been at the origin of stories and legends, such as the one stating that Lescar had seven churches, seven mills, seven fountains, seven springs, seven gates... The atmosphere of the medieval town of Lescar helps to transport us through time, along its narrow streets and back passages.

Educational place providing information on the Gave, its fauna and flora. Picnic tables are available. A raised pontoon is present, ideal for naturalist observations (many species of birds are present: swallows, ducks, grebes, cormorants, herons, etc.).

Recent route exclusively reserved for cyclists going from Bésingrand to the Artix bridge. The route runs along the Gave de Pau and a photovoltaic park.

Medieval town of Lescar

This magnificent church, which is attached to the diocese of Bayonne, Lescar and Oloron, is just as superb inside as it is outside. You will indeed find within its walls a baroque altarpiece dating from the end of the 17th century, as well as a mosaic dating from the 12th century. Also enjoy the meditation and the view of the Pyrenees.

If you continue the road a little further you will have a point of view on Lescar and the Pyrenees