The Abbey of Arthous was founded from the Premonstratensian establishment of Notre-Dame de La Casedieu (Beaumarchés, Gers) around the year 1168. Thanks to its good relations with the bishops of Dax and the local nobility, it gradually benefited from various donations that contributed to its prosperity.
The monastery played a key role in the foundation of the bastide of Hastingues (Hastings), now a municipality bearing the same name. In 1514, the abbey was placed under commendatory rule, which had adverse consequences. It also suffered during the Wars of Religion (1523 and 1571), during which the monastery was destroyed. Additionally, its archive was lost, making it difficult to reconstruct its detailed history. During the 17th and 18th centuries, the abbey was restored and remained active until it was suppressed during the French Revolution. At that time, the monastic community consisted of only three members. Later, the monastery was converted into an agricultural establishment until 1964, when it passed into public ownership and restoration work began.
The medieval church, dating from the 12th and 13th centuries, still stands. It features a single nave with a transept leading to three apses. The original structure was covered by Gothic vaults, which have not survived. The exterior of the apse is decorated with historiated capitals and sculpted modillions. The cloister has disappeared, and the remaining buildings are largely the result of reconstructions carried out during the 17th and 18th centuries.
Church portal
Church portal
Church
Church
Church
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- ARDURA, Bernard (1993). Abbayes, prieurés et monastères de l'ordre de Prémontré. Nancy: Presses U. de Nancy
- BACKMUND, Norbert (1956). Monasticon Praemonstratense Vol. 3. Straubing
- BAUDRILLART, Alfred (1930). Dictionnaire d'histoire et de géographie ecclésiastiques. Vol. 4. París: Letouzey et Ané
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- CABANOT, Jean (1978). Gascogne romane. Zodiaque. La nuit des temps
- DUFOURCET, Eugène; i altres (1890). La Ville de Hastingues et l'Abbaye d'Arthous. L'Aquitaine historique monumentale. Dax: Labèque
- SAINT-MAUR, Congregació de (1715). Gallia Christiana in provincias ecclesiasticas distributa. Vol. 1. París: Coignard
The Abbey of Arthous is located to the east of Hastingues, the municipality to which it belongs, between Bayonne and Orthez