Asson

Asson is a large commune in the Ouzom Valley some 30 km south by south-east of Pau and 35 km east by south-east of Oloron-Sainte-Marie which almost completely surrounds the commune of Arthez-d'Asson. The south-eastern border of the commune is the border between the departments of Pyrenees-Atlantiques and Hautes-Pyrénées. Access to the commune is by the D 35 road from Igon in the east which passes through the village and continues west to Bruges-Capbis-Mifaget. The D 36 road comes from Nay in the north to join the D 35 just west of the village. The D 126 road goes south from the village to Arthez-d'Asson. The D 226 branches from the D 126 and goes east by a circuitous route to Lestelle-Betharram. The southern half of the commune is mountainous and heavily forested while the north is farmland with scattered small patches of forest.[https://www.google.com/maps/place/Asson/@43.0904451,-0.2238276,26410m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m2!3m1!1s0xd57cb056628848d:0xa65b9aad9b6556f3?hl=en Google Maps]

The Pyrénées-Atlantiques Interurban Network of buses has a stop in the commune on route 810 from Lys to Pau

The river Gave de Pau (Adour basin){{sandre|id=Q---0100|nom=Gave de Pau}} and its tributaries the Ouzoum{{sandre|id=Q48-0400|nom=L'Ouzom}} and the Béez{{sandre|id=Q50-0400|nom=Le Béez}} flow through the commune.

The Ouzoum is fed in Asson by the Ruisseaux of Gerse, Turonnet, de Thouet, le Goulet, d'Incamps, de Berdoulat, and the Arrieucourt which forms the eastern border of the commune (itself fed by the Ruisseau de la Fontaine Béra), and the Hèche, Hau, and Gat. Paul Raymond mentioned in the 1863 dictionary on p. 168 another tributary of the Ouzoum called le Touchet which rose in Asson and Arthez-d'Asson.

The Béez is joined in the commune by the Ruisseaux of Landistou, Trubés (itself fed by the Ruisseau de Marlies), Toupiette, Arrouy, Mourté, Lacot (joined in the commune by the Ruisseau de la Sègue), Jupé, Picas, Coudé, and Soulens.

{{div col|colwidth=18em}}

• Arnaude
• Arrestouilh
• Arrioucourt
• Arrouaus
• Aubuchou
• Ausone
• Barrabourg
• Bascou
• Batailles
• Bélile
• Bellocq (Pass - 437 metres)
• Berdeu
• Berdoulat
• Berduc
• Bernadou
• Bernatas
• Betbeu
• Betcabe
• Betpède
• Bonnehon
• Bourdila
• Bourié
• Brau
• Brouquet
• Brune
• Busoc
• Cabalou
• Carache
• Cassagne
• Cassou
• Castella
• Castet Mauheit
• Castet-Oussès
• Catala
• Cayeré
• Cotbracq
• Cot de Hosse
• Les Courades
• La Courgue
• Les Crabes
• Crouseilles
• Dagues
• Donzelot
• Douasous
• Dourron
• Ermitage d'Asson
• Espagna (ruins)
• Espoune-Carbou
• Estradère
• Fradi
• Gabouil
• Galibet
• Le Garroc Blanc
• Gestou
• Gourgues (vale of)
• Grabot
• Gracié
• Guillamasse
• Herran
• Hourc
• Hourcségou
• Hourquet
• Labarrère (mill)
• Labat
• Labedays
• Labielle
• Lacoume
• Lalanne
• Lamothe
• Lanardonne
• Larban
• Larruhat
• Lartigue
• Lasque
• Latapie (bridge)
• Loustalot
• Luppé (château)
• Mandrou
• Mansiou
• Marcadet
• Massey
• Matocq
• Mesplé
• Milhet
• Monge
• Montguillalou
• Montguillet
• Jean Moulié
• Mounicou
• Nabarrà
• Naspret
• Nérios
• Nougué
• L’Oustau
• Pabine
• Palu
• Pédeprade
• Péré
• Peyrade
• Peyroutet
• Pladepousaux
• Pousaux
• Pradou
• Regourt
• Rouby
• Sanguinet
• Sanguinet (pass - 512 metres)
• Sarrailhé
• Sarraméda
• Sendou
• Teich (pass - 1034 metres)
• Teulère
• Thou
• Thouet
• Touyarou
• Trencade (pass - 1273 metres)

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[http://www.geoportail.gouv.fr/accueil?c=-0.2539,43.1414&z=7.92265E-5&l=GEOGRAPHICALGRIDSYSTEMS.MAPS.3D$GEOPORTAIL:OGC:WMTS@aggregate(1)&l=ADMINISTRATIVEUNITS.BOUNDARIES$GEOPORTAIL:OGC:WMTS(1)&permalink=yes Géoportail], IGN {{in lang|fr}}

{{Geographic location

|width=auto

|Centre = Asson

|North = Nay

|Northeast = Coarraze

|East = Lestelle-Betharram

|Southeast = Ouzous

|South = Ferrières

|Southwest = Castet

|West = Bruges-Capbis-Mifaget

|Northwest = Haut-de-Bosdarros

}}

The commune name in béarnais is also Asson. Michel Grosclaude said that the name probably comes from the basque aitz/as ("rocky point") with the locative suffix -on, giving "place where there is a high point".

The following table details the origins of the commune name and other names in the commune.

;Sources:

{{div col|colwidth=30em}}

• Raymond: Topographic Dictionary of the Department of Basses-Pyrénées, 1863, on the page numbers indicated in the table. {{in lang|fr}}[https://books.google.com/books?id=2TCHmbiipFIC Topographic Dictionary of the Department of Basses-Pyrénées], Paul Raymond, Imprimerie nationale, 1863, Digitised from Lyon Public Library 15 June 2011 {{in lang|fr}}
• Grosclaude: Toponymic Dictionary of communes, Béarn, 2006 {{in lang|fr}}Michel Grosclaude, Toponymic Dictionary of communes, Béarn, Edicions reclams & Édition Cairn - 2006, 416 pages, {{ISBN|2 35068 005 3}} {{in lang|fr}}
• Saint-Pé: Cartulary of the Abbey of Saint-PéPierre de Marca, History of Béarn {{in lang|fr}}
• Reformation: Reformation of BéarnManuscript from the 16th to 18th centuries - Departmental Archives of Pyrénées-Atlantiques {{in lang|fr}}
• Lescar: Cartulary of LescarCartulary of the Bishop of Lescar, published in the proofs of the History of Béarn by Pierre de Marca {{in lang|fr}}
• Census: Census of BéarnManuscript from the 14th century - Departmental Archives of Pyrénées-Atlantiques {{in lang|fr}}
• Fors de Béarn
• Intendance: Intendance of PauTitles of the intendance of Pau - Departmental Archives of Pyrénées-Atlantiques {{in lang|fr}}
• Cour Majour: Regulations of the Cour MajourCour Majour of Béarn, register manuscripts from the 15th century - Departmental Archives of Pyrénées-Atlantiques {{in lang|fr}}
• Notaries of NayDepartmental Archives of Pyrénées-Atlantiques {{in lang|fr}}
• Cassini: Cassini Map from 1750[http://rumsey.geogarage.com/maps/cassinige.html?lat=43.1414&lon=-0.2539&zoom=13 Cassini Map 1750 - Asson]

{{div col end}}

Paul Raymond noted on p. 14 that before 1232 Asson was localised near the place called the Hermitage and that there was a Lay Abbey, vassal of the Viscounts of Béarn.

The village signed a Charter of Emancipation on 4 January 1282[http://sgo2.free.fr/charte_de_asson.htm Charter of Emancipation of Asson] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140517121702/http://sgo2.free.fr/charte_de_asson.htm |date=2014-05-17 }} {{in lang|fr}} with the consent of Gaston VII, Viscount of Béarn.

In 1385, Asson had 57 fires and depended on the bailiwick of Nay.

Asson came under the Notary of Nay as did Angaïs, Arros, Arthez-d'Asson, Baliros, Baudreix, Bénéjacq, Beuste, Boeil, Bordères, Bosdarros, Clarac, Coarraze, Igon, Lagos, Lestelle, Mirepeix, Montaut, Nay, Pardies, and Saint-Abit.

{{incomplete list|date=April 2021}}

List of Successive Mayors[http://www.francegenweb.org/mairesgenweb/resultcommune.php?id=22174 List of Mayors of France] {{in lang|fr}}

The commune is part of five inter-communal structures:[https://web.archive.org/web/20140517153124/http://comdpt.pyrenees-atlantiques.pref.gouv.fr/ComDpt64/ComGrp.php?siren=216400689&licom=Asson Intercommunality of Pyrénées-Atlantiques], Cellule informatique préfecture 64, consulted on 23 April 2012 {{in lang|fr}}

• the Communauté de communes du Pays de Nay;
• the association for water and sanitation of Pays de Nay;
• the Energy association of Pyrénées-Atlantiques;
• the inter-communal association of Gave de Pau;
• the joint association for the basin of the Gave de Pau;

The inhabitants of the commune are known as Assonais in French.[https://www.habitants.fr/pyrenees-atlantiques-64 Pyrénées-Atlantiques], habitants.fr

{{Historical populations

| align = none

| cols = 2

| percentages = pagr

| source = EHESS{{Cassini-Ehess|1543|Asson}} and INSEE[https://www.insee.fr/fr/statistiques/4515315?geo=COM-64068#ancre-POP_T1 Population en historique depuis 1968], INSEE

| graph-pos = bottom

|1793 |2487

|1800 |2179

|1806 |2318

|1821 |2527

|1831 |2582

|1836 |2564

|1841 |2515

|1846 |2599

|1851 |2594

|1856 |2661

|1861 |2626

|1866 |2600

|1872 |2406

|1876 |2550

|1881 |2541

|1886 |2554

|1891 |2406

|1896 |2521

|1901 |2518

|1906 |2534

|1911 |2416

|1921 |1862

|1926 |1843

|1931 |1854

|1936 |1744

|1946 |1519

|1954 |1508

|1962 |1506

|1968 |1527

|1975 |1676

|1982 |1644

|1990 |1652

|1999 |1771

|2007 |1875

|2012 |2042

|2017 |2031

}}

The commune is part of the Appellation d'origine contrôlée (AOC) zone of Ossau-iraty and has protected geographical indications (PGI) namely: Tarbais haricots, Tomme des Pyrénées, Duck foie gras of the South-west, and Bayonne ham.

The local language is occitan-gascon, called locally béarnais. A bilingual class offers courses in béarnais in the commune school from kindergarten to CM2.

There is a Metallic Glasshouse{{Mérimée Icon}}Ministry of Culture, Mérimée {{Mérimée|PA64000039|PA64000039 Metallic Glasshouse}} {{in lang|fr}} at Lalanne in the Asson zoo[http://www.asson.fr/histoire/asson-patrimoine-serre.htm The Glasshouse on the commune website] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090606154117/http://www.asson.fr/histoire/asson-patrimoine-serre.htm |date=June 6, 2009 }} {{in lang|fr}} built in 1900.

The owners of the Château of Abère[http://www.asson.fr/histoire/asson-patrimoine-aberes.htm The Château of Abère on the commune website] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111227115555/http://www.asson.fr/histoire/asson-patrimoine-aberes.htm |date=December 27, 2011 }} {{in lang|fr}} have been known since the 12th century.

File:Eglise d'Asson.jpg

The Church of Saint-Martin, partially dating from the 15th century,[http://www.asson.fr/histoire/asson-patrimoine-stmartin.htm The Church of Saint-Martin on the commune website] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111227115637/http://www.asson.fr/histoire/asson-patrimoine-stmartin.htm |date=December 27, 2011 }} contains a Triptych of the Crucifixion{{Palissy Icon}}Ministry of Culture, Palissy {{Palissy|PM64000056|PM64000056 Statue:}} {{in lang|fr}} from the 16th century.

Asson is a stage on the Chemin du piémont pyrénéen (or el cami deu pé de la coste), a secondary itinerary on the Way of St. James.[http://www.asson.fr/histoire/asson-patrimoine-stjacques.htm Asson, Stage of the Chemin du Piémont on the commune website] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111227115632/http://www.asson.fr/histoire/asson-patrimoine-stjacques.htm |date=December 27, 2011 }} {{in lang|fr}}

;The Bétharram Caves

:The Grottes de Bétharram (Bétharram Caves) are a series of Caves located on the border between the departments of Pyrénées-Atlantiques and Hautes-Pyrénées.

:Their extent cover some of the communes of Asson and Lestelle-Bétharram in Pyrénées-Atlantiques and Saint-Pé-de-Bigorre in Hautes-Pyrénées. They can be explored on foot, by boat, or by a small train.

;Asson Zoo

:Covering five hectares, Asson zoo displays a zoological collection composed of endangered or unusual species in zoos.

;Mountains

The following mountain peaks are found in the commune:

• The Castet-Ousset (718 metres)
• The Soum de Camlong (881 metres)
• The Céberi (891 metres)
• The Soum d’Arangou (892 metres)
• The Soum de la Bécole (947 metres)
• The Pène de la Hèche (1,326 metres)
• The Toupiettes (1,357 metres)
• The Soum de Martî-Peyras (1,464 metres)
• The Soume de Moulle (1,544 metres)
• The Peak of Monbula (1,583 metres)

File:Ecole d'Asson.jpg

Asson has two primary schools (The école du Bourg and the école du Pont Latapie).

Sports in Asson revolve around the Ladies Handball Championship of France, National 3.

• Communes of the Pyrénées-Atlantiques department

• [http://www.asson.fr/ Asson commune website]
• [http://www.geoportail.gouv.fr/accueil?c=-0.2539,43.1414&z=7.92265E-5&l=GEOGRAPHICALGRIDSYSTEMS.MAPS.3D$GEOPORTAIL:OGC:WMTS@aggregate(1)&l=ADMINISTRATIVEUNITS.BOUNDARIES$GEOPORTAIL:OGC:WMTS(1)&permalink=yes Asson on Géoportail], National Geographic Institute (IGN) website {{in lang|fr}}
• [http://rumsey.geogarage.com/maps/cassinige.html?lat=43.1414&lon=-0.2539&zoom=13 Aßon on the 1750 Cassini Map]

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{{Commons category|Asson}}

{{Pyrénées-Atlantiques communes}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:Communes of Pyrénées-Atlantiques