Chéraute

Chéraute (Basque Sohüta ) is a commune in the French part of the Basque Country with 1106 inhabitants (as of 1 January 2011) in the department of Pyrénées- Atlantiques in the Aquitaine region. It belongs to Arrondissement Oloron -Sainte -Marie and the Canton Mauléon- Licharre. The inhabitants are called Sohütar.

Toponyms

The place name Chéraute is also found as: Cheraltus ( 1224 ), Xeraute ( 1383 ), Xerauta ( 1496 ), Sent - Barthelemi de Chéraute ( 1612 ).

Location

Chéraute is located just 2 kilometers north-east of the capital of the canton Mauléon- Licharre. It belongs to the former Basque province of Soule.

Demographics

Economy

The place is still very agriculturally oriented. The Basque cheese Ossau -Iraty, a cheese made from sheep's milk, is produced here.

History

Chéraute is a former barony and fief of the Viscount of Soule. On October 12, 1661 a discharged by force of arms military conflict between insurgent and royalist native French troops took place near the village, which meant the end of Matala uprising and thus the end of Basque self-government rights.

Attractions

• A prehistoric fortress in Castelgayha ( Monument historique )
• The castle, which was owned by the family Bela - Chéraute in the 17th century
• The church of Saint -Barthélemy
• The chapel Notre -Dame-de -Lourdes in Hoquy (1936 ) Trinitaire with Clocher
• A wash house ( lavoir ) from the 19th century