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Visit Sare

Sare ('most beautiful villages of France') is deep in Basque country on the Spanish border, 14km south of St Jean de Luz and 20km south of Biarritz.

Sare is a lovely little Basque hilltop village, in the Labourd province. It is centred around the Place du Fronton, where you will find the tourist office. A 17th century church (l'eglise St Martin) and St Catherines chapel are found among the 17th century houses. The houses are built in the traditional style of the region, with shutters painted in the traditional red and green of the Basque flag.

A "fronton" (hence Place du Fronton) is a place where the traditional Basque sport of Pelote is played, with two players and a ball which is hit against a wall.

Basque churches have the unusual feature of having rows of balconies - Romeo and Juliet style - along the two walls, making them much less austere on the inside than the outside.

A very long narrow path, hemmed in on both sides by high walls, provided amusement for the children while we enjoyed ambling around the streets of Sare and the views over the surrounding countryside.

You can also visit the 'Museum of the Basque Gateau' at Sare!

Sare village itself is set in the 'shadow' of mount Rhune, which dominates the skyline in much of this part of south-west France. The surrounding area is very pastoral, and rural, with cows sitting happily chewing grass in the fields.

Walking is very popular in the area and the National Pathway GR10 passes through the area.

A popular side trip is the small train to the summit  of La Rhune, which has fine views to the coast to the west and the Pyrenees to the east.

Places to visit near Sare

The neighbouring villages of Ascain and Ainhoa are also very pretty and well worth a visit.

6km south of the village, is the Grottes de Sare, a large cave that was inhabited in prehistoric times.

At Ortillopitz, in a lovely location close to Sare, is a large farmholding called 'la Maison Basque de Sare which has been restored to show what a farm and surrounding gardens were like in the 17th century - very interesting.

Sare Photos (click any picture to visit)