Morlaàs - Sainte-Foy

For two centuries Morlaàs was the residence of the Viscounts of Béarn, who moved to Morlaàs from Lescar within the 10th century. The former residence in Lescar had been ruined before by Normans before.

In 1080, when Morlaàs was in its heydays, the building of this church started by Centulle V, Viscount of Béarn, as the "traffic" was growing. It was an important "étape" on the Via Tolosana. As the church was dedicated to St. Foy there was a kind of "link" to Conques, where the relics of St. Foy were kept. The church, seen here from the east, has been altered a couple of times. It burnt down in 1520, got severely damaged in 1569. During the French Revolution the church turned to a "Temple of Reason". The restaurations of the 19th century saved the structure, that is known - for its wonderful portal.