Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Sare / Sara
Sare, which sits at the base of the towering mountain La Rhune, is among the most pic-
turesque villages—and the most touristed. It's easily reached from St-Jean-de-Luz by
bus or car. The small TI is on the main square (Mon-Fri 9:30-12:30 & 13:30-18:00, Sat
9:30-12:30, closed Sun year-round and Sat Nov-March, tel. 05 59 54 20 14,
www.sare.fr
)
.
Nearby is a cluster of hotels and the town church (which has an impressive interior, with
arches over the gold-slathered altar and Basque-style balconies lining the nave). Reforms
in the 18th century prohibited burials at ornear Catholic churches, but Basque-style tomb-
stones still surround the main church. At the far end of the square is the town's humble
frontón
(
pelota
court).
• Leaving Sare, first follow signs for
toutes directions,
then
St-Pée,
and watch for the
turnoff to...
Ainhoa / Ainhoa
Ainhoa is a colorful, tidy, picturesque one-street town that sees fewer tourists (which is
a good thing). Its chunks of old walls and gates mingle with red-and-white half-timbered
buildings.The14th-centurychurch—withabeautifulgolden
retable
(screenbehindtheal-
tar)—and the
frontón
share center stage. Parking is plentiful; resist the urge to turn off at
the
frontón
—it's better to continue on for parking near the TI.
