To the east of the Landes, 25 km from Mont-de-Marsan, Saint-Justin is at the crossroads of major thoroughfares and opens the door of Armagnac. This strategic position earned him a pugnacious past, with its dark moments and its moments of glory. In 1280, the Viscountess of Marsan founded with the Hospitallers of St John of Jerusalem (later Order of Malta) the Saint-Justin country house without permission of the Duke of Aquitaine, King of England. The border city, the ramparts bristling say 8 turns, defends the entry into Marsan. Rebel at heart, it engages in all revolts: 100 Years War, religious wars, Fronde. Its octagonal towers, the ramparts, the curious prison, the romantic style manor, testify to this ardent and passionate past.
Today, the flower village of Aquitaine (2 flowers) is awarded for its environmental quality while maintaining its major city of history for commerce and trade. Thus the fair May 1, inherited from the Middle Ages met very many traders and thousands of visitors expected as the passage in September of Route Trashumance the arcaded square.
Beyond the historic heart consists of the walled, old towns or parishes attached to Saint-Justin over the centuries have formed districts, offering their own treasures to discover.
To the west, Douzevielle was built around a sumptuous airial planted with old oaks. The Romanesque church Saint-Sernin, beautiful houses typical awning of traditional housing, the changing landscapes peppered a marked trail popular with hikers.
In the north, the church of St. Martin of Noetus dominates cashed Creek and offers a massive gothic silhouette. To the east, on the hamlet Arouille (the name of a vanished country house) are hidden in the cross roads unique places: the mansion of Laroque, who was the lair of a robber in the sixteenth century; opposite the castle and park Fondat populated labeled zelkova trees Highlights of France; the adjacent, Church of Argelouse and a curious bell tower in chestnut shingles.
To enjoy the good life and that of nostalgia inherited from centuries of history, nothing beats walking, biking, and even horseback riding with the village center. Nature offers changing landscapes, the village stretching on the border between the pine forest of the moor and the undulating vineyards of Armagnac. The cellar Soube and Peasant Museum, the cellar Lamoulette, both labeled Destination Vineyard, offer the best welcome to discover the Armagnac and its terroir.
The Tourist Office of Armagnac Landes organizes guided tours of the mansion and castle Fondat all year by appointment for groups. In July and August, Thursday at 10:30 reservation, guided tours of the mansion are held for individuals. A journey marked the heritage of explanatory plaques allows whatever the time to discover the history of the village.
Of annual events punctuate the season and show the full commitment of the town to its traditions:
In the spring, the Fair May 1 with its 150 exhibitors, retailers, local producers, artisans, breeders of horses, donkeys, ponies, hunting packs, welcomes over 5,000 visitors to the sound of hunting horns.
The 3rd Friday of June, on the Place des Tilleuls is the Night Bowling, a contest of bowling six mallet where teams compete boys and girls, adults or children.
The first weekend in July, the festival lasts 5 days and 5 nights and music is everywhere, the village is proud of its adult orchestra, the orchestra of children and banda. But that's not all. Here the festival is mathematical! 4 districts in the village = 4 = 4 Committees holiday celebrations this year!
In summer, the Local Producers' Market is held on the last Wednesday of July to the delight of gourmets and locavore. The season is marked by an exhibition and entertainment program organized with the neighboring country house: Labastide-d'Armagnac. It's the Summer of the Arts, a cultural journey between the two villages.
In autumn, the third Tuesday of September, Route Trashumance done step. Stéphane and Txomin Iriberri, returning on foot to their summer pastures Pyrenees with their herd of 6,000 sheep, stop for the night and this is a celebration of traditions: wine tour, making bread in a traditional oven, Gascon music and dances, boiled chicken.
With winter comes the Christmas Market and Race Nature of Armagnac Landes, a happy sporting event in the approach of the holiday season.
Fêtes de Douzevielle
- From 10 to 12 august 2024
- Quartier de Douzevielle, Route de Sarbazan
- Under the oaks of the Airial, in Douzevielle, a charming district of Saint-Justin, the festivities are as rural as they are convivial. On the program : - Saturday from 9am : all-day garage sale (sandwiches at lunchtime) ; 2.30pm : pétanque doubles competition and bowling competition from 6 to 4pm. From 7pm, aperitif before the mussels and French fries evening at 8:30pm. - Sunday : country-style mass at 11am, followed by an aperitif concert and a Tête de veau meal. After the siesta, at 4:30 p.m., bingo with special vouchers. At 8.30pm, dinner and entertainment by Zac Evaens. - Monday, 12 noon and 8 p.m. : lunch and snail supper ; 4 p.m. : 6-pin bowling competition (12 mallets) and 5-pin bowling competition (triples) ; closing of the Fêtes with a free "Bal à papa" at 10 p.m. hosted by "Tradition Musette" - All meals must be booked by Sunday August 4.
Programmation Entrez Dans les Cercles - Être Vivant Spectacle
- On 28 september 2024
- Cercle de la Fraternité
- Être Vivant Ant and her hens - At dawn, a team of hens enter a mobile chicken coop to meet the public. At their side, Ant, a singular character, is there to accompany them. She makes sure that everything runs smoothly so that the chickens can deliver their message. Ant is convinced that they have something essential to share with the public. She doesn't know how it will manifest itself, and she doesn't know when. But what is certain is that it will happen. "Être Vivant" is an atypical creation weaving its way towards a philosophy of simplicity. It invites us to hear other echoes of the world, or indeed echoes of other worlds so close to us, right there on the edge of intimacy. - In partnership with OARA, the artistic office of the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region. - Ages 6 and up / Running time : 55 min - Cie Au Fil du Vent.
