Saint-Étienne-de-Baïgorry combines Basque history, craftsmanship, winegrowing and striking landscapes. Those who choose Saint-Étienne-de-Baïgorry as a holiday destination want to find a holiday apartment there.
Culture and history
The Church of Saint-Étienne preserves Romanesque sculptural remains from the 12th century and has three tiers of wooden galleries. The Pont romain is a stone bridge dating from 1661 that connects the village’s two districts.
The Mehaka Historical Centre houses a permanent exhibition on the history of Basse-Navarre. It presents the history of the Kingdom of Navarre through its wars, intrigues, famous figures, institutions and major events. The Mehaka Historical Centre offers children workshops in archery and bucket making.
Zura Lagun makes objects mainly from untreated solid-wood offcuts recovered from local businesses, as well as from locally sourced beech, walnut and oak wood. By arrangement, visits with woodturning demonstrations are possible.
Landscape and trails
The Oilarandoi route passes through shady woodland and fern-covered areas. It then opens up views of the Nive des Aldudes valley and Saint-Étienne-de-Baïgorry. The Oronozia orientation table can be reached by car and on foot and offers a panorama over the vineyards.
Since 2016, Saint-Étienne-de-Baïgorry has been the first trail station in the northern Basque Country. It includes four routes and training facilities for uphill strength, long climbs and the vertical kilometre.
Wine, cheese and craftsmanship
The Cave d'Irouléguy is located opposite the Trinquet in Saint-Étienne-de-Baïgorry and can be reached by bus. A guided tour covers the history of the vineyard and the cooperative winery, then explains winemaking in the fermentation room and the barrel cellar. It ends with a commentary-led tasting of the entire range of wines.
Fromage Tambourin offers tastings and sells Ossau-Iraty cheese and homemade preserves. In July and August, farm visits take place on Fridays at 10:30 a.m.; during the rest of the year, they are available by arrangement.
During the season, Domaine Gutizia offers guided tours along an educational trail through the vineyards. These explain the Irouléguy appellation and the biodiversity of the vineyards. Chocolaterie Laia is one of the last artisanal chocolate manufacturers to process cocoa beans and master every stage of their transformation into chocolate.
Festivals and local life
Nafarroaren Eguna is celebrated every year on the last Sunday in April with dance performances, singing, music and concerts. Every summer, Basque pelota games in the “joko garbi” or chistera variants, and occasionally rebot games, take place at the fronton in Saint-Étienne-de-Baïgorry.
A producers’ market takes place in the village square on the first Saturday of every month. The Fêtes de Saint Etienne de Baigorry last five days and include concerts, dancing, singing and theatre in Basque.
