Bassoues - Basilique Saint-Fris

Saint Fris, son of Duke Rabbod of Friesland and nephew of Charles Martel, raised his banner to gather the Franks, after being defeated by the Saracens near the village of Lupiac. The Franks once again confronted the enemy troops not far from Bassoues and this time emerged victorious. The courage of Saint Fris earned him fame. However, struck by a fatal arrow, he died and his body was hastily buried. It was rediscovered two hundred years later, in the 10th century by shepherds. A church was built over his tomb and the fame of the saint and the “miracles” attributed to him attracted many pilgrims to the Via Tolosana on the Chemin de Saint Jacques.