Basque villages: Espelette, Sare, Ainhoa, Guéthary…
Discover the sunny charm
of Basque villages
From our campsite in the Basque Country, discovering the Basque villages is an invitation to travel through time and tradition. Every year, Basque village tourism attracts thousands of visitors in search ofauthenticity and a change of scenery. The squares of Basque villages are organized in the “Labourdin” style, with the town hall, church and pediment all in the same place.
The term comes from the province of Labourd, in the heart of the French Basque Country. In these villages, cemeteries generally surround the church, which is located in the center of the village. Alongside the church, the pediment is the basic architectural feature of the village, proof of the importance of Basque pelota in the lives of the inhabitants. Labourdin-style dwellings line the lanes: these half-timbered houses with white facades highlighted in oxblood red or Basque green bring a remarkable elegance to the village centers.
The Basque mountain house has the dual function of sheltering animals on the first floor and people on the upper floor, taking advantage of the rising heat. The lowland house, on the other hand, astonishes with its proportions, often worthy of a mansion. This architectural style is found in Bayonne, Saint-Jean-de-Luz, Espelette, Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port, Guéthary, Ainhoa and Sare. Today, many of these beautiful homes have been converted into self-catering cottages, contributing to their preservation.
emblematic Basque village
Espelette, the chilli capital
It’s impossible to explore the Basque villages without passing through Espelette, world-famous for its red chili pepper. From late summer onwards, the façades of the houses are adorned with garlands of dried chillies, offering a colorful spectacle.
Arrived from America in the XVIIᵉ century, piment d’Espelette is today the only French spice with a Protected Designation of Origin. The village invites you to stroll through its picturesque streets lined with typical Basque houses. Don’t miss the château des Barons d’Espelette, now home to the town hall and tourist office, and the 17thᵉ century church of Saint-Étienne, a listed historic monument.
The Chilli Interpretation Centre reveals the origins and secrets of this age-old tradition. Every year, on the last weekend in October, the Pimento Festival celebrates this gastronomic heritage with entertainment, Basque dances and festive meals.
Sare, at the foot of La Rhune
Classified as one of the “ Most Beautiful Villages in France “, Sare nestles at the foot of the La Rhune andAxuria massifs, on the Spanish border. This authentic Labourd village has preserved its Basque soul, with traditional red-timbered houses lining picturesque streets. Organized around its central square with its pediment, church and town hall, it is a perfect example of Basque village architecture.
To discover the characteristic architecture of the Labourd province, head for the Ortillopitz house. This XVIIᵉ century building immerses visitors in the history of the Basque Country and reveals the central place of the etxe (the house in euskara) in local culture. The Church of Saint-Martin, whose interior decoration is listed by the French Ministry of Culture, is also well worth a visit.
Potholing enthusiasts will love the prehistoric caves of Sare, where a scenographic trail reveals human occupation dating back over ten thousand years. For a breathtaking view of the region, take the La Rhune cogwheel train to the summit at 905 meters above sea level.
Sare is also renowned for its gâteaubasque, a speciality that you can sample at the village’s artisan patissiers. Every Thursday morning from May to September, a farmers’ market enlivens the main square.
Ainhoa, bastide on the pilgrimage route to Santiago de Compostela
Just a few kilometers from Espelette, Ainhoa is one of France’s “Most Beautiful Villages”. Founded in the XIIIᵉ century by monks, this bastide-street was a welcome stopover for pilgrims on their way to Santiago de Compostela. Situated a stone’s throw from the Navarrese border, it has preserved its original medieval layout.
The village’s only street is a veritable open-air museum. Traditional Basque houses dating back to the XVIIᵉ century line up their white facades enhanced by red or green half-timbering, perfectly identical with a few exceptions: one house with light blue shutters and another with black half-timbering stand out from the rest. If you take a closer look at the facades, you’ll notice the inscriptions engraved above the doors, testifying to the history of each home.
Thechurch of Notre-Dame de l’Assomption, typical of the Labourdin style, reveals all the charm of Basque churches, with its wooden galleries and unique nave. Don’t miss the choir, featuring a sumptuous gilded wooden altarpiece with Spanish influences. The surrounding cemetery features discoidal stelae sculpted with symbols and geometric shapes, typical of Basque funerary tradition.
For hikers, a gravel path leads to the Notre-Dame de l’Aubépine chapel (Aranzazu in Basque), perched at 389 metres on Mount Atsulai. At the summit, reproductions of Basque steles dot the landscape, with the Xareta cirque and the Nivelle valley in the background. Allow 45 minutes for the ascent.
coastal discovery
Guéthary, a fishing village facing the ocean
Nestled between Bidart and Saint-Jean-de-Luz, Guéthary is the smallest village on the Basque Coast. Formerly a whaling port, then a tuna and sardine fishing port, this fishermen’s hamlet has become a peaceful seaside resort with a gentle vacation atmosphere. Classified as a Site Patrimonial Remarquable, it maintains the Basque tradition in all areas: architecture, pelota, surfing, Basque dancing and singing.
The Place du Fronton, next to the beautiful town hall, is the heart of the town’s entertainment and community life. Local festivals, pelota games and shows take place here all year round. On the higher ground, theChurch of Saint-Nicolas, built in the XVIᵉ century and listed as a historic monument, offers the distinctive layout of Basque churches, with its raised choir dominated by wooden galleries.
Guéthary’s ” Terrace ” is a must for ocean lovers. In the shade of the tamarisk trees, you can watch the surfers riding the world-famous Parlementia wave. The protected little port, with its colorful boats firmly moored to the 29 rings of the slipway, has retained all its charm of yesteryear.
The Villa Saraleguinea houses Guéthary’s contemporary art museum, dedicated to the sculptor De Swiecinski, as well as Gallo-Roman remains.for hiking enthusiasts, the coastal path (25 km between Bidart and Hendaye) passes through the village and leads to the hill of Cenitz, a natural area protected by the Conservatoire du Littoral offering a magnificent view over the Bay of Biscay.
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