PYRENEAN ISTHMUS AND PERIPHERIA IN A FLASH

2012-03-15

FORMER SOVEREIGN STATES OF THE PYRENEAN ISTHMUS (II).

REPUBLIC OF GOUST

Goust is a hamlet in the Pyrenean isthmus, of southeastern Bearn. It was never formally annexed by anybody else, so even as late as the 19th century, visitors described it as an independent rpublic. Noted for its centenarians, one pensioner was reported to have reached the age of 123. Its inhabitants speak Bearnese and French. They are mostly Catholics.

Geography

1853 view of Goust and the Pont d'Enfer.

Goust is located on the territory of the commune of Laruns. It occupies one square mile on a plateau at the southern (upper) end of the valley of the Gave d'Ossau in the Western Pyrenean isthmus, across the river from Eaux-Chaudes. At an elevation of 995 m/3264 ft, it is accessible only by a narrow mountain footpath across the Pont d'Enfer ("Bridge of Hell"). The nearest town is Laruns in the valley below.

The community is made up of 10-12 households, with a population fluctuating between 50 and 150 residents. The traditional economy was based on animal husbandry, wool, and silk production, augmented more recently by tourism. All baptisms, weddings, and burials are performed at the Catholic Church in Laruns.
Due to its isolated situation, the inhabitants of Goust evolved a curious funeral custom: the deceased was placed in a coffin and sent down the mountainside via a specially-constructed chute, to be collected at the bottom for burial in the Laruns cemetery.

History

Self-governing for centuries, Goust's independence was allegedly recognized by its neighbors since at least 1648. The government consisted of a Council of Ancients composed of three to twelve citizens, who elected a President for a term of five years.

In 1896 the president reportedly proclaimed a ban on publication of any newspaper without executive authorization, which led to an uprising of the
citizens. Although never formally annexed, Goust has not recently asserted its claim to independence, so is de facto a part of the Pyrenean isthmus and generally recognized as such.