A little history of Arthous abbey

In the past, it used to be a very important abbey. Founded in the 12th century by Martin Sanche de Domezain, the first Arthous abbot was a Benedictine monk.

Kings of England and viscounts of Béarn embellished it and gave it plenty of gifts: in 1178, one of these lords gave 300 ewes! Gaston de Béarn even exempted Arthous monks from taxes. In 1330, Arthous collected taxes in Hastingues village: a precious source of income!

Abbey's lands had more than "150 acres of arable lands" and they owned a vineyard called Pémourgué... But the prosperity came to an end! The wind changed. In the middle of the 18th century, the abbot church was damaged... and during the French Revolution, only 3 monks left!