Balade patrimoine à Morlaàs, capitale historique du Béarn in MORLAAS (64)

Heritage walk in Morlaàs, the historic capital of Béarn

on foot : 2h - Difficulty Very easy
Distance : 2km
Public : Famille - Tous publics

Heritage walk in Morlaàs, the historic capital of Béarn
Situated to the north-east of Pau, this historic capital of Béarn from 1080 to 1260 enjoyed brilliant development thanks to the Fors de Morlaàs, a charter of privileges that made Béarn a true precursor in terms of justice and democracy.
On his arrival, Viscount Centulle V built the château de la Hourquie, the exact location of which is unknown. The town quickly developed from south to north in a succession of towns surrounded by moats. This topography, fixed in the 1st quarter of the 12th century, is what we know today, with the main street, 1.5 km long, whose different names correspond to these medieval villages.
Many traces of the past remain from this prosperous period, when the Viscounts lived here and minted their coins, including the church of Sainte-Foy, a jewel of Romanesque art.

Itinerary

In the Place sainte-Foy, you can discover the town hall, a magnificent 19th-century building, the former gendarmerie now occupied by the Coteaux Béarn Madiran tourist office and the church of sainte-Foy, a jewel of Romanesque art. Opposite the church gate, admire the half-timbered house (17th century), one of the oldest in the town, and next door, the house known as Jeanne d'Albret's.
Go up the rue des Cordeliers and on your left, take the rue de la placette to arrive at the Place de la Hourquie. Planted with magnificent hundred-year-old oak trees, the square is home to the Friday morning market every fortnight and every Saturday morning. The market is a very old institution, made official by the royal decree of 1 June 1746. This age-old tradition is still respected today, with the Livestock Day held here every two years, where over 300 animals of exceptional quality are presented. The rails of the old tramway line, embedded in the trunks of the trees, are still used today to tie up the animals.
Passing behind the college, you'll come to the old wash-house at the end of the rue de la Fontaine. This is the last remaining wash-house in Morlaàs, fed by the Gouttère, formerly the aptly named "l'Arriu Merdé".
Continue along the road opposite and walk along the former tracks of the departmental tramway company, which was in operation until 1931. Once you have passed the old station, take the Rue des Ecoles to reach the Maison de la Baque, once owned by the Viscounts of Béarn and part of the town's old defensive system.
Walk up rue Bourgneuf to return to your starting point. Walk past the church of Saint André, a contemporary of Saint Foy. This church was used exclusively by the worshippers of the Bourg-Neuf and Saint-Jammes districts. Now closed, it can be visited on guided tours organised by the tourist office.

Don't miss

Church of sainte-Foy in Morlaàs (Heritage)
Built around 1080 by Centulle V, then Viscount of Béarn, the church of sainte-Foy and its western portal are a formidable testimony to the glorious past of this former capital of Béarn.
the station (Rural heritage)
Old-timers say that on their way back from the Pau trade fair, on the very steep Morlaàs hill, passengers had to get out of their carriages to lighten the load!
the town hall (Heritage)
Once home to the Justice of the Peace, a school and a grain market, this beautiful building still has its bell tower, which was used to ring the closing bell for the many inns and cafés in Morlaàs.