Arrien (; ) is a commune in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques department in the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region of south-western France.
Geography Arrien is located some 18 km east by north-east of Pau and 5 km west of Séron. Access to the commune is by road D42 from Sedzère in the north passing through the heart of the commune east of the village and continuing south to Eslourenties-Daban. The D145 also comes from Baleix in the north and joins the D42 in the commune then continues south-west to Lourenties. Access to the village (Town Hall) is by the Chemin de l'Eglise going west from the D42 and by other local roads. Apart from some patches of forest on the western border the commune is entirely farmland.Google Maps
The Canne stream forms the southern border of the commune joining the Gabas at the south-western corner which in turn forms most of the western border of the commune flowing north-west then north eventually joining the Adour near Toulouzette. The Poundets stream forms the eastern border of the commune and flows north to join the Petit Lees near Lombia.
Places and Hamlets
Canton Cazaux Claria La Croix d'Arrien Fontaine Saint-Jean Peret La Picharotte Poulot Pouygarou Sarthou
Neighbouring communes and villages
Toponymy Its name in béarnais is Arrien.
Michel Grosclaude indicated that the origin of the name is obscure and mentioned the possibility of the name of a former owner Ariee.Michel Grosclaude, Toponymic Dictionary of communes, Béarn, Edicions reclams & Édition Cairn - 2006, 416 pages,
The following table details the origins of the commune name.
Name Spelling Date Source Page Origin Description Arrien Arien 1385 Raymond Census Village Rien 1536 Raymond Eslourenties Saint-Jean d'Arien 18th century Raymond Empire Arrien 1750 Cassini Arricu 1793 Ldh/EHESS/Cassini
Sources: Raymond: Topographic Dictionary of the Department of Basses-Pyrenees, 1863, on the page numbers indicated in the table. Topographic Dictionary of the Department of Basses-Pyrenees, Paul Raymond, Imprimerie nationale, 1863, Digitised from Lyon Public Library 15 June 2011 Cassini: Cassini Map from 1750Cassini Map 1750 – Arrien Ldh/EHESS/Cassini:
Origins: Census: Census of BéarnManuscript from the 14th century - Departmental Archives of Pyrénées-Atlantiques Eslourenties: Census of EslourentiesCensus of Eslourenties, B. 807, f° 17 Empire: Archives of the Empire, K 779, No. 12
History Paul Raymond noted that the commune had a Lay Abbey, vassal of the Viscounts of Béarn. In 1385 Arrien had 5 fires and depended on the bailiwick of Pau. The church depended on the Abbey of Saint-Sigismund at Orthez.
The Saint-Jean fountain is known for its healing powers of varicose ulcers and eye diseases and has attracted many pilgrims since the 12th century.Brigitte Jobbé-Duval, Dictionary of place names - Pyrénées-Atlantiques, 2009, Archives and Culture,
The commune was part of the Archdeaconry of Vic-Bilh, which depended on the Bishop of Lescar. Lembeye was the chief town.Topographic Dictionary of the Department of Basses-Pyrenees, Paul Raymond, Imprimerie nationale, 1863, Digitised from Lyon Public Library 15 June 2011, p. 174
Administration
List of Successive MayorsList of Mayors of France From To Name 1923 1929 Dominique Pédedieu 1929 1944 Joseph Canton 1944 1946 Joseph Lahon 1947 1959 Joseph Canton 1959 1983 Pierre Canton 1983 1995 André Cazalis 1995 2001 Jean Canton 2001 2005 Jean Louis Cazalis 2005 2008 Bernard Joan 2008 2020 Martine Loustau 2020 2026 Jean Canton
Inter-communality The commune is part of four inter-communal structures: the Communauté de communes du Nord-Est Béarn; the AEP association of Luy and Gabas; the Energy association of Pyrénées-Atlantiques; the inter-communal association for the construction of the Soumoulou rescue centre;
Demography
Culture and Heritage
Civil Heritage There are two registrations of historical monuments for Arrien: Houses and FarmsMinistry of Culture, Mérimée The former Chateau of Arrien (19th century)..Ministry of Culture, Mérimée The original chateau was sold in 1730 and converted to a presbytery. The building was sold by the commune in 1975. It is shown on the Cassini Map as a "chateau".
Religious Heritage The Parish Church of Saint John the Baptist (19th century) is registered as an historical monument.Ministry of Culture, Mérimée The church contains several items that are registered as historical objects: The Furniture in the ChurchMinistry of Culture, Palissy A Sunburst Monstrance (19th century)Ministry of Culture, Palissy A Processional Cross (17th century)Ministry of Culture, Palissy A Processional banner (19th century)Ministry of Culture, Palissy
Church Picture Gallery
See also Communes of the Pyrénées-Atlantiques department
References
External links Arrien on the 1750 Cassini Map