Bassoues

The village of Bassoues (Bassoa) is founded on the ground of an ancient forest, stay of druids. The latter celebrated the worship of the a divinity, replaced later by the god Mars, where the name Marsoulés comes which always exists in the locality. Time and civilization made disappear part of the primitive forests and the worship of saint Fris haste destruction of that of Bassoues, replaced by a city raised around of a sanctuary, more venerated of all the region. This is with the Moulin locality of l' Standard that saint Fry, nephew of Charles Martel, plant his banner to rejoin the Francs.
Crushed by Buckwheats on the heights of the village close to Lupiac, they oppose again to the enemy troops not far from Bassoues and leave this victorious time. The warlike value and the heroism of Fris saint are worth the posterity thus to it. But, reached an arrow mortal, it dies close to the Pont-au-Chrétien. Its body, buried with haste, is rediscovered two hundred years later, at the Xth century, by shepherds. Its relics are placed in a coffin of marble and a church is built in its honor. The fame and the “miracles” of the saint attract many pilgrims on via Tolosane of the ways of Saint-Jacques-of-Compostelle. In XIIIrd century, Bassoues becomes a country house, founded by the archbishops of Auch, owners of the grounds located around of a convent Benedictine. The keep, built about 1370 by the archbishop Arnaud Aubert, nephew of the Innocent pope VI, testifies nowadays to this time.

The first thing which strikes when you enter for the first time in Bassoues, this is obviously its keep of 43 meters completed in 1371 and magnificiently preserved.
This splendid example of the military architecture is the work of the archbishop and cardinal Arnaud Aubert. This tower which flanked and protected the castle was also called " Masse" or ' Tower of Bach" (turn of bottom), because of its importance.
It is raised at 43 meters above the ground and is the quadrangular plan. You will notice without any doubt the enormous buttresses with each angle of the tower like the spiral staircase which comprises 197 steps contained in an octagonal turret.
Arrived at the top, you will be able to admire the platform occupied by an octagonal turret. You will be able to admire there in clear weather a very beautiful sight of the Gascon landscape and the Pyrenees. It should be noted that many exposures of paintings, the watercolours or the photographs regularly come to enrich the rooms for the pleasure by all.

This basilica was built at the XIst century on the foundations of an old church whose origins are lost in the mists of time. What is striking as the arrival with the basilica, this is certainly the two gates of Renaissance style built about 1520.
At the interior you will be surprised by the special architecture in the area of the masonry. Indeed, it is made up of three levels giving an unexpected volume to the basilica. Downwards, in a crypt is the sandstone coffin of Saint Fry as a reliquary. Above the crypt is a higher chorus  where you will be able to admire the collection of the basilica.
The single accoustic of this bâiment place gives regularly to traditional and religious concerts. You can visit this masonry with the keep on request. The access is free there!

Bassoues comprises the other very interesting sites like the church of the Nativity, a example of structure with a stoup intended for the canting hypocrites and a stone pulpit of very rare XVth century and any beauty. You will be able to also return to you to the small vault located beside the lake and which comprises a miraculous source looking after the skin diseases.
Lastly, you will be able to visit the small village and its splendid market, to saunter along the wall of the enclosure, to contemplate the panorama since the standard (place or St Fry wounded barrel) or quite simply to let to you rock by the incomparable charm Bassoues!