Travel Guide Lembeye

Lembeye was the political, commercial and religious capital of Vic-Bilh. It is a bastide built in the 11th century under the direct control of the Viscount of Béarn. Baron de Samsons, later, took the position of lay abbot at the head of the city. So much so that in the 16th century, Lembeye was at its height. It is still the sixth most important city in Béarn. However, invasions and religious unrest were to plague her. In 1569, then a Protestant city, it was ravaged, looted and burned by Catholic army troops. It retains elements of 13th century fortification. The 14th century gate tower (listed as a Historic Monument) is impressive. Place Marcadieu is home to a former convent, home of the Friars Minor Recollects, founded in 1666. The church of Notre-Dame-de-l'Assomption dates back to the 15th century. It contains furniture, paintings, glass roofs and various objects included in the General Inventory of Cultural Heritage. Finally, from an environmental point of view, the city's hillside has a very specific type of land: dry grasslands. They are home to very particular floral species, so that this environment has been the subject of conservatory management and enhancement since 1997 by the Conservatoire d'espaces naturels d'Aquitaine. This site is classified as Natura 2000.