Visit Saint-Clar
Visit the village
A stroll around the village will allow you to experience the charm of the wide arcaded squares, the thirteenth-century market hall, and gardens enjoying the shade of the old church or its presbytery, or tantalisingly semi-hidden behind ancient stone walls.
Walk though the narrow streets of Old Saint-Clar or gaze admiringly at the countryside from the “Chemin de Ronde” (the quiet little road around the outside of the village).
Saint-Clar is unique in having two arcaded squares, and they are just a few steps apart. The village’s development over hundreds of years led to the establishment, at different times, of two centres. The first is to the south, in the original village, the “castet bielh” (old quarter). The second is the present-day centre in the bastide.
Aerial view of Saint-Clar.
At the centre of the castet bielh is the old church (not the 19th-century church whose spire dominates the skyline). The old church has been much modified over the years, and was once a much longer building. But it retains both its charm and its interest, with a fine bell-tower from the 11th century, and its three burial pits in the south wall. The present-day entrance is on the Rue de la Vieille Eglise (“Old Church Street”), with its rows of half-timbered houses. In the 19th century, the old church was deconsecrated, and a new church replaced it, built in a neo-gothic style.
In this old part of Saint-Clar, you are walking in the footsteps of the poet Dastros, who was Vicar of Saint-Clar and became renowned for his defence of the Gascon language. A bust of Dastros can be seen in the square which bears his name, next to the front of the church.
The bell-tower of the old church.
Leave the castelnau and head for the bastide ; The contrast is striking. Arrow-straight streets, wide squares and handsome, 18th-century stone-built houses, which reflect the prosperity of the village at that time.
Pause a while in the central square, with its 13th-century wooden market hall. Today it is the Town Hall Square, but it was also known as the Place de la Garlande – the Garlande being the string of fine stone houses which line the square.
Under the market hall, the present-day Town Hall, which was once known as the “maison commune”, was completely changed in the 18th century. In the arcades, a warm Gascon welcome awaits you in the Tourist Office.
This square, the pride of Saint-Clar, is home to the weekly market (Thursdays), and during the summer also hosts a number of events celebrating garlic and other gastronomic delights.
The 13th-century market hall.
As you explore the village, notice in particular :
- The hillsides of the Arratz valley, best viewed from the Chemin de Ronde where you will find a viewpoint indicator.
- The washhouse and fountain, on the right, As you leave the village on the Tournecoupe/Mauvezin road.
- The windmill at Rochegude, two kilometres away, the last in the area to have kept its sails.
And lots of other things to discover!
The Tourist Office can help you zith routes and guided tours
Groups, school partiesm families and individuals can book a guided tour all year round. Duration 45 minutes to an hour.
FEES:
- Individuals: 2€ (adults); 1€ (children)
- Familis: 3,50€ (2 adults + 1 to children), using the family rate "Tarif petit d'Artagnan" ;
- Groups: 1,50€ (adults); 1€ (children).
As a little bonus for groups we are pleased to offer a free video show and a tasting of local products.
School Museum
As you discover the village, do make time to visit the Musée de l’Ecole Publique, next door to the post office. Recently extended and completely refitted, the museum provides a fascinating glimpse into the life of a village school since about 1880. The recreation of the original classroom will reawaken forgotten sights and smells, and propel you back in time to a simpler and more innocent age!
Walks
There are a number of walks starting from Saint-Clar to suit your requirements. Their distances range from 800 metres to five kilometres.
- The Chemin de Fenouilha
- The “Côte du Curé” and Chemin d’Ayrem
- The Chemin de la Benazide
- The Chemin du Truquet
The walks will be newly waymarked for summer 2010, and departure points signposted.
You can combine a walk around Saint-Clar (especially around the Chemin de Ronde) with a more rural one, and the suggested routes allow you to walk to the Leisure Centre at the lake, if you wish.
View from the Chemin de ronde, looking towards the chateau at Avezan.
Information about the routes is available from the Tourist Office.
Interactive map
