Sévignacq-Meyracq is a commune in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques department, in the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region, 19 km south-east of Oloron-Sainte-Marie.
Its territory of nearly 15 km² oscillates from 296 to 618 m in altitude, crossed by several rivers including an arm of the Gave d'Ossau which constitutes its southern limit.
Within the viscounty of Béarn, the villages of Sévignacq and Meyracq developed to the south of the current locality, dominating the Gave d'Ossau valley and the Arudy basin, its two northern thirds being formed hillsides and reliefs dedicated to agriculture or occupied by woods. The lands of the commune are covered with meadows (47% of the area), cultivated areas (27%) and forests (25%).
Led by lay abbots paying part of the taxes to the bishop, the small seigniories of Sévignacq and Meyracq appeared in the Middle Ages, then their destinies were united after the Revolution.
Nowadays, the town, which has nearly 600 inhabitants, is famous for its sheep farms (production of cheeses with the Ossau-Iraty appellation), its marble and granite quarries, but also a thermal spring that is still in use. In addition to its heritage, visitors appreciate its landscapes conducive to hiking.
The locality has a heritage of interest that reflects its history. Several sites are also listed in the Inventory, such as the Château d'Étigny, in Sévignacq. It is an old secular abbey rebuilt in the 17th century after earthquakes damaged a medieval building. Literally nested in the church, the castle has two main buildings framed by pavilions, an enclosed garden and outbuildings. It dominates the gave and has retained a proud appearance with its windows and turrets. The building had wealthy owners (a doctor to Jeanne d'Albret, the mother of the future Henri IV, a Dean of Parliament from Pau, merchants and even an English aristocrat in the 19th century who liked to stay in the region). The Etigny family has owned it since 1892. The estate is not open to the public but the proud facades can be admired from the outside…
On Meyracq, the Château Druon is more recent. It was built in 1877, in the form of a noble mansion framed by turrets with conical and pointed roofs. It is surrounded by a beautiful park with secular trees. A time transformed into a holiday camp, the property now houses guest rooms. Information on +33 6 50 75 08 16.
Still in terms of civil architecture, to mention again, several drinking fountains, the monument to the dead of the First World War in the shape of an obelisk, by the sculptor Desnoës d' Arudy, and the stele commemorating the sacrifice of two guerrillas in June 1944.
As far as religious heritage is concerned, the Saint-Pierre church in Sévignacq and the Saint-Saturnin chapel in Meyracq are worth seeing. The first, protected as a historical monument, was rebuilt in the 17th century, at the same time as the adjoining abbey (castle). Note in particular the porch bell tower with its three-storey square tower topped with an imperial dome. Inside, in addition to the sacristy and its Gothic-style ribbed vault, the painted and gilded wooden altar and altarpiece, classified as objects, are remarkable in particular because of the finesse of the sculpted elements. The second, of medieval origin, served as a stopover for pilgrims. It is now private property.
Finally, mention should be made of the Bains de Secours thermal baths, whose source was already renowned in Antiquity. The current building was rebuilt in 1787 and enlarged in 1866 according to the principles of spa architecture of the time. Very popular until the 1980s, the establishment is no longer considered a "spa" today, but has turned into a wellness center and has kept Arudy marble bathtubs. Information on +33 6 22 98 04 10.
On the sport side, there is a covered multi-purpose room (contact the town hall on +33 5 59 05 63 40), a canyoning club to discover the rapids of the valley in a tonic (information on +33 6 82 32 26 26) and the equestrian club of the Pyrenean Ride for horseback riding in the characteristic landscapes of Piedmont (contact +33 5 59 05 63 11 or +33 5 59 82 62 78).
It remains to mention the rich potential of the town in terms of hiking: Sévignacq is thus crossed by several mountain bike circuits (the loop of Piedmont Ossatois, that of the three Villages and that of the Bassin d'Arudy) but also marked hiking trails (the circuit of the Three Crosses and that of the Bassin d'Arudy). Without forgetting of course the "must" that is the GR 78 heading towards Santiago de Compostela, 500 km long linking Carcassonne to Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port.
We will also enjoy, during walks in the town, gourmet breaks at the many sheep cheese producers!
Maps and information for hikers on +33 5 59 05 77 11.
