The first indisputable mention of Sarrance is dated April 17, 1343. It appears in the testament that Gaston II, Count of Foix and Vicomte de Béarn wrote before going to war against the Saracens in Spain. On the death of his father, the famous Gaston Phoébus, we could read this: "We are leaving 150 coins to take out of our income and taxes from Oloron to support a priest who will celebrate mass in perpetuity in the church of Notre-Dame de Sarrance. "Located on the Arles route of the Camino de Santiago de Compostela, the village owes its fame to the discovery of a stone statue of the Virgin Mary, floating on the river.
This pleasant little village is ideally located between Oloron Sainte-Marie and the Somport pass.
Due to its geographical location, it offers multiple opportunities for mountain walks.
Since the 17th century, Sarrance has become a place of pilgrimages (mainly on the first Sunday in September).
It is an essential stage of the Way of Arles of the Way of Saint-Jacques de Compostelle.
THE LEGEND :
It brings into play a statue of the virgin, a bull, a shepherd, a fisherman and the river, a relatively frequent theme in Pyrenean mythology, the issue of fertility being underlying, as well as the relationship of man with the forces of nature, stone and water. All this is very well told and analyzed in the museum "Notre Dame de la Pierre" which attracts several thousand visitors every year.
On these bases, the fame of Sarrance spread quickly to the 14th and 15th centuries, the King of France Louis XI, himself, seeing fit to make a pilgrimage there. The village is thus formed little by little around the sanctuary.
THE CHURCH :
Building from the beginning of the 17th century.
It has a curious octagonal bell tower surmounted by a dome.
Within it you will discover many scenes recalling the legend of the miraculous statue of Notre-Dame de Sarrance.
THE CLOITRE :
This pretty cloister of the Premonstratensian convent dates from the 17th century, it is surmounted by 14 gables covered with slate. In particular, you will find the start of the path leading to the great Calvary.
THE ECOMUSEUM :
Notre-Dame de la Pierre is an eco-museum which tells you the story of the village of Sarrance. Follow the guide ... Marcel Amont will tell you the legend of the black virgin and Janick all the little history of the village and the built heritage.