Blending the greens of its hills to the reds and whites of the façades of its houses, which are typical of Navarre and Labourd, Ainhoa’s only street displays the colours of the Basque national flag.
In a typical Basque country village (one of the most beautiful villages in France) sits in the heart of a splendid wooded and blooming garden where you can find the calm you seek.
A 17th century Basque dwelling, the Hôtel Ithurria is an official historical monument. Previously an inn on the St. Jacques de Compostella pilgrimage route, this house is also an excellent gastronomic stop-over. Just 30 minutes from the beaches, you will also find numerous hiking trails to discover the hills of the region.
In the 12th century, the Premontré family established one of their parishes in Ainhoa so as to provide assistance to the pilgrims en route to St Jacques de Compostelle and a bastide-rue rose on the plateau to greet them. It was rebuilt in the 17th century, its most beautiful façades are turned to the east. It was an important commercial outpost on the way to Pamapeluna, this can be seen by the rings used to tie the mules to the lorios (porches) on some of the houses. The 14th century church has been revamped, but the stones of its lower parts date back to the bastide’s creation. Higher up, Notre-dame chapel is nested on Mount Altusai.
Aïnhoa