Medieval Castle and Chapel, Saint-Béat: Distant context view

In antiquity, the site of Saint-Béat was known as “Passus Lupi” (passage of wolves), because of the narrowing of the French part of the Aran Valley. This strategic location, nicknamed the “key of France”, made it a former stronghold commanding the valley of the Garonne. The remains of a small castle of the twelfth century and the castle chapel (unnamed) stand above the town. The town is noted for its quarries of white marble and limestone.