Mauléon-Licharre: Holiday Apartments and Holiday Homes

Mauléon-Licharre combines historic buildings with the world of espadrilles and the Pyrenees at the foot of Pic d’Orhy. For some travellers, renting a holiday apartment in Mauléon-Licharre is part of their travel plans.

Culture

The Vieux Château de Mauléon was demolished in 1642 on the orders of Louis XIII. Its rampart walk offers visitors sweeping views over the surrounding hills; performances are also held in or around the Vieux Château every summer.

The Château de Maytie dit d’Andurain was built by Pierre de Maytie at the end of the 16th century. Guided tours take place daily at 3 pm and 4:30 pm from 1 to 14 July. From 15 July to 20 September, they are offered daily except Sundays at 10:30 am, 3 pm and 4:30 pm.

The Chapelle Notre-Dame de la Haute-Ville was built at the end of the 14th century. It features a Trinity bell tower typical of Soule; inside is a Baroque altarpiece dedicated to the life of the Virgin Mary. The Maison de la Fée, built in the 15th century, is one of the oldest bourgeois houses in Mauléon-Licharre.

La Croix Blanche is a marble column at the former meeting place of the judges of the former court of Licharre. The Saint-Jean-Baptiste church was consecrated in 1885.

The Chapelle de Berraute also bears witness to the town’s long history: it probably dates from the 11th century and belonged to a commandery dependent on the Order of Malta. On the way to Santiago de Compostela, it provided pilgrims with accommodation or medical care in an adjoining hospital.

Crafts

The Maison du Patrimoine has a permanent exhibition tracing the development of espadrilles and the industrialists who had a major influence on Mauléon-Licharre. It also presents the history of the Hirondelles, young Spanish women who came to work in the workshops during the winter from the end of the 19th century onwards. The Maison du Patrimoine can be visited as part of a self-guided tour.

The Espadrilles Don Quichosse workshop is also a museum where visitors can discover the company’s espadrilles. The manufacturing workshop can be visited independently from May to September. Centuries-old machines there bear witness to the company’s history.

At the Lespartina workshop, espadrilles are made entirely by hand. The techniques used are faithful reproductions of the methods developed by the founder of Maison Prodiso. Lespartina shows a 20-minute explanatory video on the history and manufacture of espadrilles on site; group visits are possible by prior reservation.

Festival

The Espadrille Festival takes place every year on 15 August from 10 am to 7 pm at Place des Allées in Mauléon-Licharre. A functioning espadrille-making workshop is recreated for the occasion. The espadrille makers work on site and explain their craft and expertise. Regional products are sampled and sold throughout the day.

Landscape

Mauléon-Licharre lies in the Pyrenees at the foot of Pic d’Orhy, which is 2,017 metres high.

Susmiou, Licq-Athérey, Angous, Autevielle-Saint-Martin-Bideren, Moumour, Viven, Burgaronne, Gurmençon

To the overarching travel overview: Pyrenees-Atlantiques.