Ranked among the most beautiful villages in France, the old village of Ainhoa, founded in the 13th century and partially rebuilt in the 17th century, is an essential part of any tour of the Basque Country. Its long and unique street, lined with picturesque white houses with red and green timbering, and its 13th-century church with a square bell-tower with four floors, will appeal to lovers of architecture. The interior of the church must be visited, if only for its beautiful golden altar and two floors of wooden galleries! Around the building, a landscaped cemetery contains disk-shaped and tabular steles dating from the 16th and 17th centuries...
Ranked among the most beautiful villages in France, Ainhoa takes place in the department of Pyrénées-Atlantiques, in New-Aquitaine. Built in the Basque Country, the village is located not far from Bayonne, on the border with Spain. A few kilometers from Espelette and its famous peppers, the commune of Ainhoa is also on the pilgrimage route of Santiago de Compostela.
Entirely destroyed during the Thirty Years' War, in the 17th century, the village of Ainhoa was entirely rebuilt to reveal its pretty typical white and red Basque façades. Formerly known for its flax weaving activity, it is today known for its tourism and its architectural and cultural heritage.
Ainhoa has indeed many tourist sites to discover the time of a stay in this authentic and preserved village.
Classified as Historic Monuments for its interior decor, the church of Notre-Dame-de-l'Assomption dates from the thirteenth century. Not far away, you can also admire the Notre-Dame-d'Aubépine chapel. The edifice takes place on the site of the apparition of the Blessed Virgin to a young shepherd. There is a cave of the end of the 19th century, as well as a beautiful Calvary of the same era. Note that the village cemetery also has discoidal and tabular steles from the 16th and 17th centuries.
Walking through the unique street of the village of Ainhoa, visitors can admire 17th-century labourdine houses with red and white facades, as well as a beautiful wash-house noticed by Napoleon III and his wife the Empress Eugenie, A stay in 1858.
Around Ainhoa lies a large forest of 400 hectares where one can appreciate wild fauna and flora and particularly rich. Several marked hiking trails are accessible, as in the surroundings of the village.
The world championship of drinkers in the xahakoa and Basque force takes place every year in August. The contest is about this famous Basque gourd, and also allows to attend a lively meal and diverse entertainment.
In October, the festival of La Palombe offers several events such as a market of local producers, goshawk releases, musical entertainment or a game of ham.
Visite d'une Ferme Familiale de Piment d'Espelette
- On 5 june 2024
- Ferme Okilaua
- With family or friends, come and discover the different stages in the production of PDO Espelette chilli peppers on a family farm. We make our product with passion and a desire to share our know-how with you. Visits are free every Wednesday at 3:30 pm, by appointment only.
Visite d'une Ferme Familiale de Piment d'Espelette
- On 12 june 2024
- Ferme Okilaua
- With family or friends, come and discover the different stages in the production of PDO Espelette chilli peppers on a family farm. We make our product with passion and a desire to share our know-how with you. Visits are free every Wednesday at 3:30 pm, by appointment only.
Chants Basques Avec Les Labourdins d’Ustaritz
- On 16 june 2024
- Église Notre Dame de l'Assomption
- Basque songs with the Les Labourdins d'Ustaritz choir in aid of the Ainhoako Kaperaren Lagunak association for the renovation of the Ainhoa calvary
Visite d'une Ferme Familiale de Piment d'Espelette
- On 19 june 2024
- Ferme Okilaua
- With family or friends, come and discover the different stages in the production of PDO Espelette chilli peppers on a family farm. We make our product with passion and a desire to share our know-how with you. Visits are free every Wednesday at 3:30 pm, by appointment only.
Visite d'une Ferme Familiale de Piment d'Espelette
- On 26 june 2024
- Ferme Okilaua
- With family or friends, come and discover the different stages in the production of PDO Espelette chilli peppers on a family farm. We make our product with passion and a desire to share our know-how with you. Visits are free every Wednesday at 3:30 pm, by appointment only.
Visite d'une Ferme Familiale de Piment d'Espelette
- On 3 july 2024
- Ferme Okilaua
- With family or friends, come and discover the different stages in the production of PDO Espelette chilli peppers on a family farm. We make our product with passion and a desire to share our know-how with you. Visits are free every Wednesday at 3:30 pm, by appointment only.
Visite d'une Ferme Familiale de Piment d'Espelette
- On 10 july 2024
- Ferme Okilaua
- With family or friends, come and discover the different stages in the production of PDO Espelette chilli peppers on a family farm. We make our product with passion and a desire to share our know-how with you. Visits are free every Wednesday at 3:30 pm, by appointment only.
Visite d'une Ferme Familiale de Piment d'Espelette
- On 17 july 2024
- Ferme Okilaua
- With family or friends, come and discover the different stages in the production of PDO Espelette chilli peppers on a family farm. We make our product with passion and a desire to share our know-how with you. Visits are free every Wednesday at 3:30 pm, by appointment only.
Visite d'une Ferme Familiale de Piment d'Espelette
- On 24 july 2024
- Ferme Okilaua
- With family or friends, come and discover the different stages in the production of PDO Espelette chilli peppers on a family farm. We make our product with passion and a desire to share our know-how with you. Visits are free every Wednesday at 3:30 pm, by appointment only.
Visite d'une Ferme Familiale de Piment d'Espelette
- On 31 july 2024
- Ferme Okilaua
- With family or friends, come and discover the different stages in the production of PDO Espelette chilli peppers on a family farm. We make our product with passion and a desire to share our know-how with you. Visits are free every Wednesday at 3:30 pm, by appointment only.