tee: 05 59 66 07 21
The church
Built in the 12th century at the request of the monks of the abbey of Sainte-Christine du Somport, the church is intended to welcome travelers on a road linking Béarn to Navarre at the time.
Although of Romanesque tradition by its squat shape, its thick walls and its small openings, the church has elements of Hispano-Moorish architecture which give it its unique character.
This uncluttered monument, with modest dimensions, presents a centered plan centered on the dome, the true jewel of the building with its intersecting arches forming an eight-pointed star.
The claustras, veritable stone lace that closes the windows, are also typically Spanish and recall the decorations of oriental moucharabiehs. Exceptional elements of due to their number and the diversity of their motifs, they make up the largest preserved ensemble in France.
Unique testimony in France between Romanesque art and Hispano-Moorish art, the church was listed in 1998 as a UNESCO World Heritage Site as a major site on the Way of Santiago de Compostela.
The church has benefited from nine restoration campaigns which have spread from the beginning of the 20th century to today and which have enabled an almost complete restoration of the building.
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Visit the church:
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Every day from May to September,
20-minute sound & light shows allow an exceptional presentation and an unusual way to visit the church.
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Or
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The audio-guide allows you a quick and commented tour of the monument. Simultaneously, the lighting is triggered according to the architectural elements that are explained to you... Take full advantage of this unique place thanks to this autonomous visit system!
-ergonomic audioguides offering good listening quality
- system that adapts to the hearing impaired
- easy to use
-davailable in 7 languages (French, Basque, English, Italian, Dutch, German, Spanish)
(NB: audio guides will not be available during guided tours. A coin mechanism will allow you to illuminate the church during the absence of the host)
SOUND & LIGHT SHOW
Comfortably seated inside the church, immerse yourself in the history of the village and the building. The show takes you back to the 12th century in the footsteps of pilgrims, to understand the secrets of the architecture of this monument, a clever mix of Romanesque and Hispano-Moorish art.
While HD and 3D projections immerse you in the history of the village, light shows explain the architectural elements that make the church a unique building in France.
This show of high technicality mixing heritage and new technologies, is imagined by the inhabitants of the village, who are keen to share with you their heritage, while respecting the purity of the place.
It can be broadcast on demand in French, Spanish or English
For GROUPS
We offer the Discovery offer including:
an entry for the Sound & Light show
+
a guided tour outside the church(Architecture, old traces of the hospital, roof and bell towers are discussed).
count 1 hour on site for a
optimal visit comfort
from 5€/person(pfor groups of +42)
1 free entry offered for every 20 paying
free driver and guide offered
tél: 05 59 66 07 21
The mill
The construction of the water mill of L'Hôpital-Saint-Blaise probably has its origins in medieval times.Since then, it has undergone very important restorations, to the point of having been almost completely rebuilt.The mill operated until the development of industry made it obsolete, before the Second World War. During the war, local farmers returned to the mill to grind their cereals clandestinely in order to prevent the Germans from taking part of their production. After the war, the owner decided to transform the mill into a small sawmill which would serve until the 1970s.
The interpretation trail
Extend your experience with us by taking an interpretive trail around the village, connecting the various points of interest in the town: the church, the playground and the mill.
Accessible to all, new fun and didactic devices will allow you to discover the environment of the territory in which you are entering:
La soule (or Xiberoa), but also the surrounding built and natural heritage.
Discover the nature that shapes our landscape, but also our mill dating from the Middle Ages, as well as the way to Compostela which crosses the village.
This 15min walk, ideal for families, will allow you to fully enjoy the natural setting of our village.
For the bravest, you can extend your walk on the many paths that criss-cross the Josbaig forest (notably theGR78).