Diusse - Saint-Jean-Baptiste

The area in northeast Béarn, where the small village of Diusse is situated is known as "Vic-Bilh". Great white wines are produced here. Madiran, known for its redwines, is only about 10 kms east.

A church in Diusse is known since the 11th century. It belonged to the nearby Benedictian abbey Lareule, founded 977. In 1104 the Viscount of Bearn and the Comte d'Armagnac met here and declared a truce. The building seen today is a few years younger. According to the "Base Mérimée" today´s church was erected in the first half of the 12th century, but got remodeled a couple of times. The portal, carved from reddish stones dates back to that church.

The vandals, who severely damaged the "Balaam-capital" (previous upload) obviously loved mythical creatures. These two griffins, just opposite Balaam, stayed untouched.