Le printemps des cimetières - Visite le Carré militaire de Sainte-Marie

Created by the Patrimoine Aurhalpin association, this national event celebrates funerary heritage and the little-known treasures of cemeteries. For its 10th anniversary, a varied program is on offer in over 70 départements. The Pays d?art et d?histoire des Pyrénées béarnaises is taking part for the first time, to help visitors discover an often little-known heritage and architecture.

A guided tour is offered by a guide-conférencier, in partnership with the ONACVG. Created at the end of the 18th century by the bishop of Oloron, the Sainte-Marie cemetery is unique in that it contains a military plot. This concept of a space dedicated to fallen soldiers emerged after the Franco-German war of 1870. Of the 20 graves in Oloron, 3 are empty and 8 belong to those who died for France, 5 of them perpetual.