Orthez is a busy market town on the Gave de Pau, with a beautiful old bridge still used today.
Gaston VII of Moncade chose it as his capital and fortified it, though little remains now of his work. It remained the capital city until the 15th century. There are still a number of lovely old houses that can be found in the old streets and that testify to the town's long status as an important commercial centre.
Orthez is also famous as the site of a famous battle when Wellington beat the army Soult, and there is a monument to the bravery of General Foy, the hero of the losing French side.
The old fortified bridge of Orthez is still standing and taking traffic, a tribute to its builders. It was first constructed in the 13th century, and remodelled in its present form by Gaston Fébus around 1370
The castle of Moncade was built in the 13th century by Gaston VII with money provided by Henry III of Britain after he helped the king by providing 50 knights for the battle of Taillebourg. Only the tower remains
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