Morlaàs

Situated in the north-east of Pau, a real belvedere over the Pyrenees, this historical capital of Béarn from 1080 to 1260 had a brilliant development thanks to the Fors de Morlaàs, a charter of privileges which made Béarn a real forerunner in terms of justice and democracy. From this prosperous period when the Viscounts resided in this place and minted coins, many traces of the past remain, including the Sainte-Foy church, a jewel of Romanesque art. Pilgrims from Santiago de Compostela come here in great numbers. After a period of disuse, the town was successful again at the beginning of the 18th century when it started to produce furniture, a craft that made its reputation. The markets, true secular traditions, still survive today.