Laàs (; , ) is a commune in the department of Pyrénées-Atlantiques, in the region of Nouvelle-Aquitaine, southwestern France.
Neighbouring villages include Orriule to the north, Andrein to the north-west, Narp to the east, Barraute-Camu to the west, and Montfort to the south.
The town is notable for its self-declared secession from France as the Principality of Laàs en Béarn.
Principality of Laàs The Principality of Laàs en Béarn is an initiative of the mayor of Laàs, Jacques Pédehontaà. He first proposed the idea in August 2011 to protest against the administrative reforms of the French government."Un village béarnais veut devenir une principauté", Le Parisien Libéré, 21 August 2011, online.
As of May 2014, the principality is registered as a non-profit association in the Prefecture of Pau."Et si la petite commune de Laàs devenait une principauté ?", La République des Pyrénées, 3 May 2014, online. In August 2014, it presented three animation projects, including a Hollywood Walk of Fame-like boulevard."Mariages princiers et Hollywood des Transhumances en principauté de Laàs", La République des Pyrénées, 19 August 2014, online.
The Principality officially declared its independence on 1 January 2015.
See also Communes of the Pyrénées-Atlantiques department
External links Official website of the Principality of Laàs Facebook page of the Principality of Laàs
References