A brief history... The Hautes-Pyrénées host over 700 religious buildings, witnessing to the spirituality of the inhabitants and the influence of the Roman Catholic church in these valleys. There are nearly 100 dating back to Romanesque times, including the large Benedictine monasteries and abbeys and a multitude scattered throughout the Lavedan, valleys of the Aure, Louron and Adour rivers among others… The passing of time, wars of religion and gradual abandonment have not left them untouched. However, the imposing construction of Romanesque buildings is still visible, along with many inside fresques painted in the XVIth century. Part of their rich Baroque furnishings (sculpted and gilded) dating from the XVIIth and XVIIIth centuries have been saved.

Agos chapel

Romanesque treasures In the Hautes-Pyrénées, there are few mountain villages without a Romanesque chapel! Here are a few examples… Vielle-Aure church Its pure and simple primitive shape was based on a single nave. The photo shows the chevet (east facade) with two arcatures, a decorative pattern introduced by Italian stonemasons during the Carolingian period. Agos chapel Only the church remains of a complex built by the Hospitallers of Saint Jean de Jérusalem. Its architecture appears defensive: fortress walls, minimal openings, ornamentation limited to a few corner colonnettes and sculpted capitals. Yet the atmosphere is one of sincere meditation.

Saint-Exupère d'Arreau church Built in honour of a village inhabitant who became bishop of Toulouse, Saint-Exupère d'Arreau church still has its beautiful Romanesque porch and capitals. Aragnouet ("Templiers") chapel The only remains of a hospice -stopping-place for pilgrims before going over the mountain passes- the Aragnouet chapel and its wall-tower emerge from a ravine made by a mountain stream.

Saint-Exupère d'Arreau church

Saint-André church    Dominating the village of Luz-Saint-Sauveur with its warlike silhouette, Saint-André church was built by the Hospitallers in the XIIth century then fortified in the XIVth to ward off the Spanish. Its sculpted cornice brackets are treasures of Romanesque architecture.

		Reception and information: Office du tourisme Vallée du Louron 65 590 Bordères-Louron 05 62 99 92 00 Office du Tourisme de Vielle-Aure 65170 Vielle Aure 05 62 39 50 00. Website: www.vielleaure.com Office du Tourisme de Luz-Saint-Sauveur 05 62 92 30 30 E-mail: ot@luz.org Office du Tourisme de Piau Engaly 65170 Arganouet 05 62 39 61 69 Website: www.vallee-aure.com Office du Tourisme d'Arreau Château des Nestes 65240 Arreau 05 62 98 63 15 Website: www.vallee-aure.com

Access: Leave the A64 at exit 14 to Lannemezan then take the D929 towards Arreau