The Collège was founded in 1571 by transferring the College of Lescar to Orthez. In 1583 King Henri III of Navarre proclaimed the little school a University, and in 1591 Catherine de Navarre transferred the academy back to Lescar. Joseph Coudirolle (1885). Étude sur l'Académie d'Orthez, fin du XVIe et commencement du XVIIe siècle ... (em francês). Orthez: J. Goude-Dumesnil. pp. 16–28
