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Origin and history

The Château de Montréal, located in Sauveterre-de-Béarn, is an emblematic 14th century monument built under the authority of the Viscounts of Béarn. It is part of a defensive ensemble reinforced by Gaston VII de Béarn (1229-1290) and redesigned by Gaston Fébus (1349-1391), which made it a key bastion to control the southern and western borders of the Béarn, especially against Navarre and Biscony. This castle, now in ruins, was integrated into a system of fortifications including the Legend Bridge and the Monreal Tower, symbolizing the vicomtal power and protection of pilgrims on the way to Santiago de Compostela.

Sauveterre-de-Béarn, built on a rocky escarpment overlooking the river Oloron, was a medieval town divided into three villages: the village Mayou (around the castle), the village Saint-André (around the church of the same name), and the village Pléguignou (renovated as a military village in the 15th century). The château de Montréal, with its ramparts and towers, played a central role in defending the city, especially during conflicts with Spain or Basque incursions. It also housed jails after Béarn's attachment to France in 1620.

In the 14th century, under Gaston Fébus, the castle and Sauveterre fortifications were modernized to withstand the tensions of the Hundred Years War. The city became a strategic crossroads between France, the English Gascogne and Spain, benefiting from its position on Via Lemovicensis, one of the major roads of the Compostellan pilgrimage. The castle was also the place of death of Gaston Fébus in 1391, after a hunting party, before his body was transported to Orthez for burial.

The remains of the castle, classified as Historical Monument in 1886, today recall its military and political importance. The Monreal tower, close to the site, served as a monitoring post against Spanish and Basque incursions, while the bridge of the Legend, partially destroyed in 1732, illustrates the logistical and strategic challenges of the time. These elements, combined with ramparts and fortified gates, offer a tangible testimony of medieval military architecture in Béarn.

Beyond its defensive role, the Château de Montréal was linked to Sauveterre's economic and judicial life. In the 17th century, the city was home to a seine floor, and its market attracted traders and pilgrims. The religious conflicts of the 16th and 17th centuries, especially between Catholics and Protestants, also marked its history, with the partial destruction of fortifications and the transformation of the castle into a prison. Today, the ruins of the castle, although partially preserved, remain a symbol of the Bearese heritage and its turbulent past.

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