Saint-Etienne-de-Baïgorry, a place of nature and rich history

Baigorri

Not to be missed
Where are we ?
trail station
Hiking
The main events

At the foot of the Iparla ridges, Saint-Etienne-de-Baïgorry (“Baigorri” in Basque), is one of our favourite Basque villages. Situated at the entrance to the valley of Baigorri, you can discover its history walking through the village: its 11th century chateau, its Roman arch bridge, its 17th and 18th century houses and its fronton. The Nive des Aldudes runs through the village, and sports lovers will be thrilled with the large choice of hiking paths, the GR10 and mountain bike trails. Since 2016, Saint-Etienne-de-Baïgorry is also the first “Trail Station” in the northern Basque Country.

Not to be missed

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Saint Etienne Church

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Saint Etienne Church, made entirely of stone, is located on the banks of the River Nive. It was originally the chapel of the Lords of Etxauz, whose château is situated nearby. The oldest parts of the church date back to the 12th century. It contains a stunning altarpiece. Like all churches in the Basque Country, you will also be able to admire its wooden galleries. The final gallery has housed the Rémy Malher organ since 1999.

The Rémy Malher organ

The Rémy Malher organ is the pride of the church. Installed in 1999 by its Alsatian creator, the organ is the central focus of the Basse Navarre festival held every summer. It is possible for organists to play the instrument. If you would like to organise a visit, you can contact the Baigorri Organ association (l’association Orgue en Baigorri). The Rémy Malher organ was listed as a historical monument in 2013.

Pierre Carton Le pnt romain de Bau00efgorry enjambre la Nive des Aldudes.

The Roman arch bridge

Zubia

The Roman arch bridge. This stone bridge, built in 1661, crosses the Nive and joins the village’s two quarters. Spend a couple of minutes on the bridge to appreciate the view: the Nive des Aldudes running beneath your feet, the Etxauz Château surrounded by greenery, the 17th century houses opposite you and the surrounding mountain peaks.

The fronton

Pilota plaza

The fronton was built in 1857 and is an important part of village life. Every summer, games of “joko garbi” or “chistera” pelote are played, and occasionally “rebot” pelote. If you look carefully you can see a sculpted lintel on the monument with an inscription written in Basque. It’s a tribute to the Lord of Etxauz, who gave the land on which the fronton is built to the villagers.

Guermiette quarter

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Guermiette quarter : in addition to its ancient wash-house, it’s one of the Saint-Etienne-de-Baïgorry quarters containing the most traditional houses in the village. From here you can also go for a walk through the Irouléguy vines.

Where are we ?

Photo : © OTPB In Saint Etienne de Baigorry, one of the most famous views is the one of the Etxauz castle, taken from the Roman bridge. This stone bridge, of Roman style, was built in 1661. It spans the Nive des Aldudes, and allowed at the time to connect two districts of the village.

When you’re in Saint-Etienne-de-Baïgorry, you are in the heart of Basse Navarre. The village is at the foot of the Ispéguy Pass, which leads you to the Spanish Baztan valley, only 20 mins away. I highly recommend stopping at the pass to admire the panoramic view over the mountains. The listed town of Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port is only 10 km away, passing through the village of Irouléguy.

Saint-Etienne-de-Baïgorry is the gateway into a valley rich in gastronomy: the Aldudes valley, home to the village of Banca with its trout, Aldudes and its AOP Kintoa and Urepel, entrance to the Pays Quint.

Saint-Etienne-de-Baïgorry is surrounded by some of the most famous mountain peaks in the region, for example the Iparla ridges and the Oilandoi peak with its chapel.

Did you know?

● Charlie Chaplin stayed in Etxauz Château three times, in 1925, 1926 and 1931.

● Bertrand of Etxauz: Grandson of Lord Gratien d’Etxauz, he was chaplain to King Henri IV and King Louis XIII. He was also the bishop of Bayonne and archbishop of Tours

● Jean Harispe: born in Etxauz Chateau, he led the division of Basque chasseur infantry against Spain during the Napoleonic wars. He was made Marshal of France. You can see the bust of Marshal Harispe in the Saint-Etienne-de-Baïgorry public garden.

trail station

Photo : © Begi Kliska Every year, the Euskal Trail gathers thousands of runners in Saint Etienne de Baigorry, for two days of race in mountain.

Since 2016, the village has been the first trail station in the northern Basque Country. Four trails are possible, as well as workshops for short hill, long hill and vertical kilometre runs. To get to know the terrain, you can start with the 5km training trail on the Oilandoi mountain slopes.

If you wish to go further, you can try the 8km trail along the GR10. On the way back you will pass through the Mitxelene quarter, a perfect way to end the trail with a wonderful view over Etxauz Château.

For the truly dedicated, you have the choice between two 15km trails. The Ispéguy loop will test your resolve on the way up to the top of the pass. The Buztanzelai loop allows you to tackle the Iparla cliffs.

Station de trail

Photo : © Pierre Carton Le parcours de la Grande Travseru00e9e du Pays Basque en VTT, permet de rallier Saint Palais u00e0 Hendaye, en passant par les sommets.

The main events in Saint-Etienne-de-Baïgorry

Animazioak

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Navarre Day

Nafarroaren Eguna

Nafarroaren Eguna: every year, on the last Sunday of April, the day of Navarre is celebrated. Many activities (dancing, singing, music, concerts…) join Basque people from both sides of the border.

Euskal Trail

trail

Euskal Trail: takes place every year, on Ascension Day; it’s one of the most important mountain races in the region. More than 3,000 runners meet in Saint-Etienne-de-Baïgorry, for two days of racing.

Euskal Trail : course de montagne.

Pierre Carton Comme tous les vilages du Pays Basque, la saison estival est le signe du retour des fu00eates patronales. C'est l'occasion de nombreuses animations et de retrouvailles entre villageois.

village festival

Bestak

the village celebrations take place every year during the first weekend of August. Three days of festivities filled with activities: concerts, dances, singing, Basque theatre…

Pierre Carton Le marchu00e9 des producteurs de Saint Etienne de Bau00efgorry se tient une fois par mois, le premier samedi du mois.

Farmers’ market

Merkatua

Farmers’ market: the first Saturday of the month, in the village square.

Saint-Etienne-de-Baïgorry, a place of nature and rich history