page_title: La Bastide-Clairence
section_title: History
hierarchical_section_title: La Bastide-Clairence / History
caption_attribution_description: Français&#160;: Forge de La Bastide-Clairence.
context_page_description: La Bastide-Clairence is a commune in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques department in the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region of south-western France.
  The inhabitants of the commune are known as Bastidots or Bastidotes.
  The village is a member of the Les Plus Beaux Villages de France association.
context_section_description: A Navarrese fortified village was founded in 1288 by Claire de Rabastens on a hillside next to the Aran river hence its Gascon name Bastida Clarença.
  800 refugees, mainly from Bigorre, were granted a charter in July 1312 by Louis I of Navarre, the future Louis X of France. The birth of the village corresponds to a need for Navarre to create a strong town in the forested frontier area. La Bastide-Clairence, as its name suggests, was a fortified town. The historian Paul Broca could still see the remains of its ancient fortress in 1875.
  La Bastide-Clairence slowly accumulated a population of shop-keepers from south-western France then from Spanish refugees fleeing the Inquisition, and also from Basque towns and villages nearby. Another version of the origin of the town exists: it was populated by settlers from diverse backgrounds including pilgrims to Santiago de Compostela called the Francos.
  By 1700 the population had reached 2,000. The inhabitants lived on the nail industry, woollen garments and knitwear, and agriculture. 12-day fairs ensured the prosperity of the town. In the 16th century the locals did not speak Basque, but spoke Gascon. Subsequently they gradually adopted the Basque language and customs. The town has 320 houses and mills from the 17th century. From 1575 to 1789, La Bastide-Clairence depended on the lords of Gramont.
  The city had a large Jewish community after the expulsion of Portuguese Jews in the 16th and 17th centuries.
  Today, the Place des Arceaux and its half-timbered houses attract many art craftsmen. The houses are very typical of the region - there are two architectural types:
  the Baserri style with gabled roofs with two slopes, half-timbered façade with red or green colour on overhangs, carved window mullions and lintels.
  the Navarrese style with roofs of 2 or 4 sides and doors with vaulted Arches.
  The commune was formerly known as Labastide-Clairence and was renamed La Bastide-Clairence on 25 June 1988.
caption: The Forge
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