Saint-Béat Towns and Villages in Saint-Béat

Saint-Béat is a picturesque village nestled in the heart of the Pyrenees. Since January 1, 2019, Saint-Béat has merged with the commune of Lez to form the new commune of Saint-Béat-Lez.

History

• A thousand-year-old city : Saint-Béat has a rich and ancient history, dating back to Roman times. Its strategic location, at the crossroads of the Pyrenean valleys, has made it an important place of passage and trade.
• The Legend of Saint Beat : The village takes its name from Saint Beat, a hermit who lived in the 8th century. According to legend, he defeated a dragon that was terrorizing the region.
• A city of marble : Saint-Béat is renowned for its white marble, which has been mined since ancient times. This marble has been used in the construction of numerous monuments, notably in Rome and Versailles.
• A medieval city : the village has preserved many vestiges of its past, notably its feudal castle and its Romanesque churches.

Activities and points of interest

• The Château de Saint-Béat, built in the 12th century, offers a breathtaking view of the Garonne valley.
• The Romanesque church of Saint-Béat-Saint-Privat, listed as a historic monument, houses magnificent sculpted capitals.
• Marble quarries : it is possible to visit the old marble quarries and discover the extraction techniques.
• Saint-Béat is an ideal starting point for many hikes in the Pyrenees.