Barcus

Barcus
Barcus
Location within Nouvelle-Aquitaine region  Barcus
Coordinates: 43°11′23″N 0°46′16″W / 43.1897°N 0.7711°W / 43.1897; -0.7711Coordinates: 43°11′23″N 0°46′16″W / 43.1897°N 0.7711°W / 43.1897; -0.7711
Country	France
Region	Nouvelle-Aquitaine
Department	Pyrénées-Atlantiques
Arrondissement	Oloron-Sainte-Marie
Canton	Mauléon-Licharre
Intercommunality	Soule-Xiberoa
Government
• Mayor (2001–2020)	Jean-Marc Baranthol
Area1	46.93 km2 (18.12 sq mi)
Population (2010)2	734
• Density	16/km2 (41/sq mi)
Time zone	CET (UTC+1)
• Summer (DST)	CEST (UTC+2)
INSEE/Postal code	64093 / 64130
Elevation	176–793 m (577–2,602 ft) (avg. 328 m or 1,076 ft)
1 French Land Register data, which excludes lakes, ponds, glaciers > 1 km² (0.386 sq mi or 247 acres) and river estuaries. 2 Population without double counting: residents of multiple communes (e.g., students and military personnel) only counted once.

Barcus (Basque: Barkoxe) is a French commune in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques department in the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region of southwestern France in the former province of Soule.^[1]

The inhabitants of the commune are known in French as Barcusiens or Barcusiennes^[2] and in Basque as Barkoxtar.^[3]

Geography

Location

Barcus is located in the Massif des Arbailles in the former province of Soule some 25 km south by south-east of Sauveterre-de-Béarn and 12 km west of Oloron-Sainte-Marie. The commune covers a complex of valleys^[4] formed by the course of the Joos and its left and right tributaries - the Paradis district, for example, is located on the Ibarra and the former hamlet of Guibelhéguiet is on a tributary of the Joos.

Access

Access to the commune is by the D24 road from Chéraute in the west which passes through the centre of the commune and continues east to Esquiule. The D347 branches from the D26 west of the village and goes south to Tardets-Sorholus. The D59 comes from Saint-Goin in the north-east through the village and continues south down the eastern side of the commune to Montory. The D859 branches off the D59 in the north of the commune and goes north to join the D25 north of the commune. The D159 branches off the D59 halfway down the commune and goes east to join the D24 east of Esquiule. The D459 branches off the D59 in the south of the commune and goes south-east to Lanne-en-Barétous.^[5][6]

Hydrography

The commune is located in the drainage basin of the Adour. The Joos river rises west of the commune and flows east across the commune then north, forming the eastern border of the commune, continuing north-east to eventually join the Gave d'Oloron at Préchacq-Josbaig. Many tributaries rise in the commune and flow east into the Joos including the Bouhatéko erreka, the arréc of Etchanchu, the Handia, the Oyhanart erreka, the arriou of Soulou, the Sustaris erreka, and the Ibarra stream (7 km long) with its tributaries, the Ruisseau Ibarra (4.4 km, which is joined in the commune by the Askontchilo erreka and the Athaketa stream) and the Lecheguita stream (also with its tributary the Ilharra stream). Paul Raymond^[7] mentioned another tributary of the Joos crossing Barcus called the Guibéléguiet with its tributary the Paradis.

Tributaries of the Lausset, which also flows into the Gave d'Oloron, also pass though the commune such as the Ascania stream and the Ibarle stream with its tributary the Ambelseko erreka.

Finally the Ruisseau de Lacoste, a sub-tributary of the arréc of Bitole also crosses the commune.^[5]

Places and Hamlets

There are a large number of places and hamlets in the commune:^[6]

Mapping

A list of online mapping systems can be displayed by clicking on the coordinates (latitude and longitude) in the top right hand corner of this article. None of these maps, however, show the extent of nor any information on the commune.

Neighbouring communes and villages^[5]

	Berrogain-Laruns	Gurs	Saint-Goin
	Roquiague		Esquiule
		Barcus
	Tardets-Sorholus	Montory	Aramits

Toponymy

The commune name in Basque is Barkoxe.^[3]

Jean-Baptiste Orpustan proposes a Basque etymological construction in two parts. The first element barr meaning "located inside, at the bottom" is joined to the element -koiz to approximate the Basque goiz meaning "morning or east". Barcus is located in a low valley to the east which justifies the Orpustan analysis.^[4]

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

A Chapel in Barcus

Sources:

• Raymond: Topographic Dictionary of the Department of Basses-Pyrenees, 1863, on the page numbers indicated in the table. (French)^[7]
• Orpustan: Jean-Baptiste Orpustan, New Basque Toponymy^[4]
• Bulletin des Lois: Ldh/EHESS/Cassini database (French)

Origins:

• Navarrenx: Notaries of Navarrenx^[8]
• Oloron: Notaries of Oloron-Sainte-Marie^[9]
• 'Ohix: Contracts retained by Ohix, Notary of Soule^[10]
• Customs: Customs of Soule^[11]
• Luxe: Titles of Luxe^[12]
• Guienne: Government General of Guienne and Guascogne and neighbouring country

History

Jean-Baptiste Orpustan noted that the commune was a former "royal town".

Paul Raymond on page 21 of his 1863 dictionary noted that the commune had a Lay Abbey, vassal of the Viscounts of Soule. In 1790 Barcus was the capital of a Canton dependent on the District of Mauleon Licharre and made up of the communes of Barcus, L'Hôpital-Saint-Blaise, and Roquiague.^[7]

Barcus appears as Barcux on the 1750 Cassini Map^[13] and the same on the 1790 version.^[14]

Administration

List of Successive Mayors^[15]

(Not all data is known)

Inter-communality

The commune is part of five inter-communal structures:

• the Community of communes of Soule-Xiberoa;
• the AEP association of Pays de Soule;
• the sanitation association of Pays de Soule;
• the Energy association of Pyrénées-Atlantiques;
• the inter-communal association to support Basque culture.

Demography

The Journal by Pierre Casalivetery, Notary at Mauléon, during 1460-1481 counted 26 fires at Barcus and 210 for the years 1540-1548, indicating a rapidly growing population.^[16]

In 2010 the commune had 734 inhabitants. The evolution of the number of inhabitants is known from the population censuses conducted in the commune since 1793. From the 21st century, a census of communes with fewer than 10,000 inhabitants is held every five years, unlike larger communes that have a sample survey every year.^{[Note 1]}

Economy

Economic activity is mainly oriented towards agriculture (mixed farming and sheep farming). The commune is part of the Appellation d'origine contrôlée (AOC) zone designation of Ossau-iraty.

Culture and heritage

The Church and the Fronton

Civil heritage

• The Lamiñen ziloa ("Cave of laminak" in Basque). Laminak are small lutins in Basque mythology.
• A treasure trove of Celtiberian currency (400-100 BC.) was discovered in 1879.^[17] Composed of 1,750 silver coins from different cities of Navarre and Aragon, the reason for their presence in Barcus remains controversial.
• A gaztelu zahar^{[Note 2]} stands at 440 metres above sea level in the Haitzhandia locality.

Religious heritage

• The Parish Church of the Ascension (Middle Ages) is registered as an historical monument.^[18] It was largely rebuilt in the 19th century and restored in the 20th century. It contains a Bronze Bell (1689) that is registered as an historical object.^[19]

Cultural events

The 2009 Pastoral in Barcus

In 2009 Barcus organised a Pastoral, a Soule traditional show mixing theatre, dancing and singing. There is a Pastoral throughout winter until April on Sundays in other villages of Soule.

Notable people linked to the commune

• Léon Urthuburu, vice-consul for France in Guayaquil, Ecuador, originally from Barcus, he bequeathed Floreana Island in the Galápagos Islands to the commune in 1860. Despite his efforts Barcus never took possession.^[20]
• Pierre Topet, alias "Etxahun", born in Barcus (1786-1862), a Basque poet.
• Jean Touan, born in 1817 at Barcus, was the founder of the Café Tortoni in Buenos Aires. The café was bequeathed to Célestin Curutchet in 1872, another native of Barcus.
• André Chilo, French rugby player, born on 5 July 1898 at Bordeaux and died on 3 November 1982 at Barcus.

See also

• Communes of the Pyrénées-Atlantiques department

Notes and references

Notes

1. ↑ At the beginning of the 21st century, the methods of identification have been modified by Law No. 2002-276 of 27 February 2002, the so-called "law of local democracy" and in particular Title V "census operations" allows, after a transitional period running from 2004 to 2008, the annual publication of the legal population of the different French administrative districts. For communes with a population greater than 10,000 inhabitants, a sample survey is conducted annually, the entire territory of these communes is taken into account at the end of the period of five years. The first "legal population" after 1999 under this new law came into force on 1 January 2009 and was based on the census of 2006.
2. ↑ A prehistoric fortified place

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Barcus.

Municipalities in Soule
Ainharbe Aloze-Ziboze-Onizegaine Altzai-Altzabeheti-Zunharreta Altzürukü Arrokiaga Arüe-Ithorrotze-Olhaibi Atharratze-Sorholüze Barkoxe Berrogaine-Lahüntze Bildoze-Onizepea Domintxaine-Berroeta Eskiula Espeize-Ündüreine Etxarri Etxebarre Gamere-Zihiga Garindaine Gotaine-Irabarne Hauze Idauze-Mendi Iruri Jestaze Lakarri-Arhane-Sarrikotagaine Larraine Lexantzü-Zünharre Ligi-Atherei Liginaga-Astüe Lohitzüne-Oihergi Maule-Lextarre Mendikota Mitikile-Larrori-Mendibile Montori Muskildi Ospitalepea Ozaraine-Erribareita Ozaze-Zühara Pagola Sarrikotape Sohüta Urdatx-Santa-Grazi Urdiñarbe Ürrustoi-Larrebille Zalgize-Doneztebe

Communes of the Pyrénées-Atlantiques department
Aast Abère Abidos Abitain Abos Accous Agnos Ahaxe-Alciette-Bascassan Ahetze Aïcirits-Camou-Suhast Aincille Ainharp Ainhice-Mongelos Ainhoa Alçay-Alçabéhéty-Sunharette Aldudes Alos-Sibas-Abense Amendeuix-Oneix Amorots-Succos Ance Andoins Andrein Angaïs Anglet Angous Anhaux Anos Anoye Aramits Arancou Araujuzon Araux Arbérats-Sillègue Arbonne Arbouet-Sussaute Arbus Arcangues Aren Aressy Arette Argagnon Argelos Arget Arhansus Armendarits Arnéguy Arnos Aroue-Ithorots-Olhaïby Arrast-Larrebieu Arraute-Charritte Arricau-Bordes Arrien Arros-de-Nay Arrosès Arthez-d'Asson Arthez-de-Béarn Artigueloutan Artiguelouve Artix Arudy Arzacq-Arraziguet Asasp-Arros Ascain Ascarat Assat Asson Aste-Béon Astis Athos-Aspis Aubertin Aubin Aubous Audaux Auga Auriac Aurions-Idernes Aussevielle Aussurucq Auterrive Autevielle-Saint-Martin-Bideren Aydie Aydius Ayherre Baigts-de-Béarn Balansun Baleix Baliracq-Maumusson Baliros Banca Barcus Bardos Barinque Barraute-Camu Barzun Bassillon-Vauzé Bassussarry Bastanès La Bastide-Clairence Baudreix Bayonne Bédeille Bedous Béguios Béhasque-Lapiste Béhorléguy Bellocq Bénéjacq Bentayou-Sérée Béost Bérenx Bergouey-Viellenave Bernadets Berrogain-Laruns Bescat Bésingrand Bétracq Beuste Beyrie-en-Béarn Beyrie-sur-Joyeuse Biarritz Bidache Bidarray Bidart Bidos Bielle Bilhères Billère Biriatou Biron Bizanos Boeil-Bezing Bonloc Bonnut Borce Bordères Bordes Bosdarros Boucau Boueilh-Boueilho-Lasque Bougarber Bouillon Boumourt Bourdettes Bournos Briscous Bruges-Capbis-Mifaget Bugnein Bunus Burgaronne Buros Burosse-Mendousse Bussunarits-Sarrasquette Bustince-Iriberry Buziet Buzy Cabidos Cadillon Cambo-les-Bains Came Camou-Cihigue Cardesse Caro Carrère Carresse-Cassaber Castagnède Casteide-Cami Casteide-Candau Casteide-Doat Castéra-Loubix Castet Castetbon Castétis Castetnau-Camblong Castetner Castetpugon Castillon-d'Arthez Castillon-de-Lembeye Caubios-Loos Cescau Cette-Eygun Charre Charritte-de-Bas Chéraute Ciboure Claracq Coarraze Conchez-de-Béarn Corbère-Abères Coslédaà-Lube-Boast Coublucq Crouseilles Cuqueron Denguin Diusse Doazon Dognen Domezain-Berraute Doumy Eaux-Bonnes Escos Escot Escou Escoubès Escout Escurès Eslourenties-Daban Espéchède Espelette Espès-Undurein Espiute Espoey Esquiule Estérençuby Estialescq Estos Etcharry Etchebar Etsaut Eysus Féas Fichous-Riumayou Gabaston Gabat Gamarthe Gan Garindein Garlède-Mondebat Garlin Garos Garris Gayon Gelos Ger Gerderest Gère-Bélesten Géronce Gestas Géus-d'Arzacq Geüs-d'Oloron Goès Gomer Gotein-Libarrenx Guéthary Guiche Guinarthe-Parenties Gurmençon Gurs Hagetaubin Halsou Hasparren Haut-de-Bosdarros Haux Hélette Hendaye Herrère Higuères-Souye L'Hôpital-d'Orion L'Hôpital-Saint-Blaise Hosta Hours Ibarrolle Idaux-Mendy Idron Igon Iholdy Ilharre Irissarry Irouléguy Ispoure Issor Isturits Itxassou Izeste Jasses Jatxou Jaxu Jurançon Juxue Laà-Mondrans Laàs Labastide-Cézéracq Labastide-Monréjeau Labastide-Villefranche Labatmale Labatut Labets-Biscay Labeyrie Lacadée Lacarre Lacarry-Arhan-Charritte-de-Haut Lacommande Lacq Lagor Lagos Laguinge-Restoue Lahonce Lahontan Lahourcade Lalongue Lalonquette Lamayou Lanne-en-Barétous Lannecaube Lanneplaà Lantabat Larceveau-Arros-Cibits Laroin Larrau Larressore Larreule Larribar-Sorhapuru Laruns Lasclaveries Lasse Lasserre Lasseube Lasseubetat Lay-Lamidou Lecumberry Ledeuix Lée Lées-Athas Lembeye Lème Léren Lescar Lescun Lespielle Lespourcy Lestelle-Bétharram Lichans-Sunhar Lichos Licq-Athérey Limendous Livron Lohitzun-Oyhercq Lombia Lonçon Lons Loubieng Louhossoa Lourdios-Ichère Lourenties Louvie-Juzon Louvie-Soubiron Louvigny Luc-Armau Lucarré Lucgarier Lucq-de-Béarn Lurbe-Saint-Christau Lussagnet-Lusson Luxe-Sumberraute Lys Macaye Malaussanne Mascaraàs-Haron Maslacq Masparraute Maspie-Lalonquère-Juillacq Maucor Mauléon-Licharre Maure Mazères-Lezons Mazerolles Méharin Meillon Mendionde Menditte Mendive Méracq Méritein Mesplède Mialos Miossens-Lanusse Mirepeix Momas Momy Monassut-Audiracq Moncaup Moncayolle-Larrory-Mendibieu Moncla Monein Monpezat Monségur Mont Montagut Montaner Montardon Montaut Mont-Disse Montfort Montory Morlaàs Morlanne Mouguerre Mouhous Moumour Mourenx Musculdy Nabas Narcastet Narp Navailles-Angos Navarrenx Nay Noguères Nousty Ogenne-Camptort Ogeu-les-Bains Oloron-Sainte-Marie Oraàs Ordiarp Orègue Orin Orion Orriule Orsanco Orthez Os-Marsillon Ossas-Suhare Osse-en-Aspe Ossenx Osserain-Rivareyte Ossès Ostabat-Asme Ouillon Ousse Ozenx-Montestrucq Pagolle Parbayse Pardies Pardies-Piétat Pau Peyrelongue-Abos Piets-Plasence-Moustrou Poey-de-Lescar Poey-d'Oloron Pomps Ponson-Debat-Pouts Ponson-Dessus Pontacq Pontiacq-Viellepinte Portet Pouliacq Poursiugues-Boucoue Préchacq-Josbaig Préchacq-Navarrenx Précilhon Puyoô Ramous Rébénacq Ribarrouy Riupeyrous Rivehaute Rontignon Roquiague Saint-Abit Saint-Armou Saint-Boès Saint-Castin Saint-Dos Sainte-Colome Sainte-Engrâce Saint-Esteben Saint-Étienne-de-Baïgorry Saint-Faust Saint-Girons-en-Béarn Saint-Gladie-Arrive-Munein Saint-Goin Saint-Jammes Saint-Jean-de-Luz Saint-Jean-le-Vieux Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port Saint-Jean-Poudge Saint-Just-Ibarre Saint-Laurent-Bretagne Saint-Martin-d'Arberoue Saint-Martin-d'Arrossa Saint-Médard Saint-Michel Saint-Palais Saint-Pé-de-Léren Saint-Pée-sur-Nivelle Saint-Pierre-d'Irube Saint-Vincent Salies-de-Béarn Salles-Mongiscard Sallespisse Sames Samsons-Lion Sare Sarpourenx Sarrance Saubole Saucède Sauguis-Saint-Étienne Sault-de-Navailles Sauvagnon Sauvelade Sauveterre-de-Béarn Séby Sedze-Maubecq Sedzère Séméacq-Blachon Sendets Serres-Castet Serres-Morlaàs Serres-Sainte-Marie Sévignacq Sévignacq-Meyracq Simacourbe Siros Soumoulou Souraïde Suhescun Sus Susmiou Tabaille-Usquain Tadousse-Ussau Tardets-Sorholus Taron-Sadirac-Viellenave Tarsacq Thèze Trois-Villes Uhart-Cize Uhart-Mixe Urcuit Urdès Urdos Urepel Urost Urrugne Urt Ustaritz Uzan Uzein Uzos Verdets Vialer Viellenave-d'Arthez Viellenave-de-Navarrenx Vielleségure Vignes Villefranque Viodos-Abense-de-Bas Viven