The "Febusian" fortresses

The castle of Montaner

« Febus me fe » (Fébus built me)

It was Gaston Fébus himself who decided to build this castle as early as 1373.

The fortress was made from pink and ochre bricks which proudly show off its imposing keep. It overlooks the land which enabled it to defend itself from the Gascony which was English at that time.

It was pulled down in the 19th century and restored voluntarily in the 20th century.

Renovated frescoes from the end of the 15th century / beginning of the 16th century can be seen in the Saint Michel church.

Every year during the summer season, the castle revives its past and invites vistors and local residents to return to this seigneurial period with the "Médiévales de Montaner" (a 3-day festival).

Other activities, exhibitions, painting competions and workshops are regularaly organized throughout the year.

When to visit: Open every day, in July and August from 10.00 a.m. to 7.00 p.m. From 1 April to 30 June and from 1 September to 5 November: Open every day, except for Tuesdays from 2.00 p.m. to 7.00 p.m. Entrance fees: Full price: 3 € Free for under 10s Reduced price: 1.50 € (10/18 year olds, unemployed and students) Family price: 5 € (2 adults + 2 children [one over 10 and one under 10]) Price for groups and schools (more than 10 people): 1.50€
Contact details: Château de Montaner 64460 Montaner Tel. no.: 00 33 (0)5 59 81 98 29 Fax no.: 00 33 (0)5 59 81 92 44 Website: www.tourisme64.com
How to get there: Situated 43 Km from Pau - take the RN117 main road (la nationale 117) Pau - Tarbes, then the minor road D63 (la départementale 63) in the direction of Ger and Montaner CLICK HERE TO SEE THE MAP

The castle of Morlanne

Gaston Fébus had this castle built for his brother Arnaud-Guilhem in 1373.

After practically six centuries, the site had been completely abandoned. In 1947 major rehabilitation work was carried out on the site to restore the ruin.

Today it is one of the most beautiful examples of a 14th-century medieval fortress in Bearn and houses remarkable furniture, paintings and tapestries.

This charming village also has a fortified church from the 14th and 15th centuries, along with a lay abbey which can be seen from the outside.

When to visit: From 1 April to 31 October: open every day, except for Tuesday from 2.00 p.m. to 7.00p.m. In July and August: open every day from 10.00 a.m. to 7.00 p.m.
Entrance fees: Free of charge Contact details: Château de Morlanne 64370 Morlanne Tel. no.: 00 33 (0)5 59 81 60 27 Fax no.: 00 33 (0)5 59 81 42 93 Website: www.tourisme64.com
How to get there: Situated 35 Km from Pau, via the D945 minor road (la route départementale 945) Pau - Lescar - Sault-de-Navailles, then via the D946 minor road (la route départementale 946) CLICK HERE TO SEE THE MAP