The Sainte-Marie Quarter
In Antiquity, this quarter was part of the city Iluro, the name of an Iberian Celtic divinity.
Archaeological excavations have revealed that the site was already peopled before our era and have unearthed gold coins, Paleo-Christian and Merovingian sarcophaguses, jewellery, pottery...
In the XIIIth century, this quarter became an episcopal town, rival and independent from the Viscount town of Oloron.
Until the French Revolution, bishops were lords.
They reigned as masters and erected their episcopal residences as well as other buildings with a religious vocation such as the Grand Seminary and the Ursulines convent...
- Cathédrale Ste-Marie
Guided visit "The old bishop city": discovery of the cathedral and the treasure, with a lecturer-guide.
Visits : 3rd June, 2nd September, 30th September, 21st October.
In July and August, From Tuesday to Friday at 3:00 pm.
Inscriptions at the Tourist Office: +33 (0)5 59 39 98 00
Duration of the visit: a hour and a half.
Rates for guided visits:
3 € per adult
1 € per child
1 € per inhabitant of the Oloronese Foothills
Free for student, unemployed people, disabled people, volunteer people
Visits for groups all year upon booking. (18 persons maximum).
