History of Pierrefitte-Nestalas

Originating from the name "Nestalas"

Up until the 15^th century, the Pyrenean rivers were called «nestes» (the name Gave was used later on reflecting the Béarn predominance).
Therefore, it was only natural that the town situated on the confluence of the Nestes of Luz and Cauterets chose the name of "Nestalas".

One of the five chapels linked to the "Villa Bencus" (now Saint-Savin) where during the Gallo-Roman times in the 14^th century lived a rich character called Aemelius, private tutor of Emperor Constantin’s son.

In the 18^th century the worshippers of the hermit of Savinus were created in the Saint-Savin Abbey, endowed in 945 by the valley of Cauterets.

The towns of the Ribéra : Bencus, Adast, Uz, Lau-Balagnas, Soulom and Nestalas exploited together the meadows and the spas of Cauterets and had rights to fishing, hunting and wood cutting.


The origin of the name "Pierrefitte"

"Peyra-Hita" signifies : boundary stone marking the limits between Nestalas and Soulom.
It’s from here that the mule track started leading to Cauterets and it’s spas.

Around 1400, a few houses were constructed (guides, sherpas, horse trekkers) giving birth to the hamlet of "Peyra-Hita".

The village changed it’s name to PIERREFITTE-NESTALAS in 1901.


(Text extracted from the study "Nestalas autrefois, Pierrefitte-Nestalas aujourd'hui", by Mr. René Pujo, Mayor of Pierrefitte-Nestalas from 1977 to 1988.)

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