SAINT LAURENT CHURCH OF BETPOUEY

About us

This small 1886th-2020th century church, dedicated to Saint Sebastian, was built on an alluvial cone on the left bank of the Gave de Pau. It has an original belfry-wall with crows which has undergone several alterations. This 1905th century bell tower, which probably served as a watchtower, was modified in the XNUMXth century with the addition of a clock. It houses two identical bells from the Dencausse de Soues foundry: they both date from XNUMX. One of the two was restored in XNUMX. The small one at the top, serving as a clock, dates from XNUMX. Single door to the west . With its two side chapels, the church has the shape of a Latin cross. According to Jean BOURDETTE, in his Annals, the patron saint would have been Saint Laurent. After restoration of the church, his statue was replaced in the center of the altarpiece by Sebastian and was moved to the left of the altarpiece.
Inside, the baroque altarpiece of the high altar is attributed like the altarpieces of the chapels according to P. DEBOFLE, to the Soustre d'Asté workshop, but doubt persists. It represents Saint Sebastian flanked by Saint Lawrence and Saint John. The tabernacle also attributed to the Soustre workshop is decorated with two bas-reliefs in carved wood, representing on the left the martyrdom of Saint Lawrence and on the right that of Saint Sebastian. The cupboard in the center is adorned with a crucifix.
The side chapels and the U-shaped gallery were added in the XNUMXth century to compensate for the lack of space. On the right, the chapel of the Virgin, with the statues of the crowned Virgin and Saint Catherine with her wheel, housed the headquarters of a brotherhood. On the left, the Saint-Sébastien chapel with its classical statue, was dedicated to another brotherhood of men. For a while, it was thought that the church was dedicated to Saint Laurent, this comes from a bad interpretation of a work by Jean BOURDETTE, who in describing the interior of the church had evoked the presence on the master- altar, with a statue of the saint. We can regret the bronzine layers laid in the XNUMXth century which tarnished the gilding. Presence of a late XNUMXth century confessional in a semi-circular shape. It is surmounted by a cross resting on wooden supports.

The church is open all year round.

Sources: www.patrimoines-lourdes-gavarnie.fr

• ​​Spoken Languages:

  French

• Theme(s):

  Church, Sacred art