© OT COEURDEBEARNLe Château Moncade
Rue Moncade, 64300 Orthez
Château Moncade overlooks Orthez and the Gave de Pau valley, offering a panoramic view of the old town and the Pyrenees. For two centuries, it was the residence of the Viscounts of Béarn. Built by Gaston VII de Moncade in the 13th century, it features one of the earliest masonry moats in Europe. Redesigned in the 14th century by Gaston III de Foix-Béarn, known as Fébus, it became the setting for a lavish court renowned throughout the Western world. It was within these walls that Fébus dictated his famous *Book of Hunting*. Today, the keep is the last remaining part of this castle and stands 33 metres high. On the first floor, an exhibition room bears witness to this prestigious past, displaying the famous Book of Hunting, Fébus’s florins and the town’s weights. After climbing the 141 steps to reach the top of the keep, you’ll be rewarded with an exceptional view of Orthez and the Pyrenees mountain range.
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Tourist office data: DATAtourisme, Licence Ouverte (French open licence), updated 25 October 2026.