Sauveterre-de-Béarn (Pyrénées-Atlantiques)

Sauveterre-de-Béarn (Sauvatèrra or Saubatèrre in Béarnese) is a French commune located in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques department, in the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region. Its inhabitants are called Sauveterriens.

On the border with Béarn, this small medieval town built on a rocky escarpment benefits from its location at the crossroads of the Soule and Lower Navarre regions. Sauveterre boasts important medieval remains: Saint-André Church, Monréal Tower, the Legend Bridge, and remains of fortifications. The Gave d’Oloron River flows at the foot of the town.

The town is a stop on one of the main pilgrimage routes to Santiago de Compostela, the Via Lemovicensis (or Limousin Way).

Tourism

The Pont de la Légende, along with the now-defunct bridges of Miéy and Réclusy, connected the right bank to the left bank of the Gave d’Oloron. In 1732, a violent 100-year flood swept away part of the Pont de la Légende. Only half of this fortified bridge now remains.
The Monréal Tower was built during the 12th century. Standing 37 meters high, it was a defensive and residential tower. It served to monitor Spanish and Basque incursions. This tower has been listed as a historical monument since 1886. Today, it houses a model reconstructing the medieval town of Sauveterre between the 13th and 16th centuries.

The Coulomme dovecote, or Montpribat House, dates from the 17th century. It is a notable’s house dating back to 1640.
The fortified house is a former bastion whose purpose was to protect the town. Arrow slits were placed on its façade; they are now covered with plaster.
The war memorial was created by the sculptor Ernest Gabard.
The viscount’s castle was built by Gaston VII of Béarn (1225-1290) and remodeled by Gaston Fébus (1349-1391) in the 14th century.
The town hall, a former 16th-century residence, once owned by the “Maquis de Nays,” Counts of Salette.

The Lester Gate (12th century).
The Datter Gate.
The ramparts (12th–19th centuries).
The pilgrims’ hospital of Santiago de Compostela.
Fort Tolose was built in 1580 during the Wars of Religion to reinforce the northern ramparts of Sauveterre. Its walls are 1.25 m thick and are pierced with loopholes.
The Church of Saint Andrew is a fortified Romanesque-Gothic church (12th–13th centuries).
The Chapel of Saint Martin de Sunarthe is a Romanesque chapel built around 1250, part of a secular abbey.

Transport

The nearest SNCF train station is Puyoô, 17 km away. However, Orthez train station is 22 km from Sauveterre-de-Béarn, and Dax train station is 45 km away.

By plane: Pau and Biarritz airports are practically equidistant, approximately 60 km apart.