Banca is a commune in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques department, in the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region, 18 km southwest of Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port (by road).
Bordering the northwest and east of Spain, its territory of nearly 50 km² belongs historically and culturally to the province of Lower Navarre, one of the components of the Basque Country.
Crossed by the Nive des Aldudes and many of its tributaries which descend from the summits, the locality ranges from 231 to 1275 m above sea level, dominated on its southern half by green relief. It therefore has a remarkable environment, including areas protected for their biodiversity (migratory fish going upstream to reproduce, birds, sensitive flora and peaty environments, in particular). It is mainly covered by forests (54% of its surface area), partially shrubby natural environments (34%) and meadows (9%).
It has only officially had the name forges and a blast furnace.
Today, this part of history and heritage is highlighted, the town, gateway to the Aldudes valley, also producing some jewels of Basque gastronomy: trout, pork and local cheeses. ossau-iraty appellation sheep. Banca (350 inhabitants) is also a fantastic site for hiking enthusiasts.
In terms of heritage, the evidence of ancient and then modern mining activity (400 people were employed there in the 18th century) and metallurgy based on the extraction of copper and iron ores transported to a blast furnace, are now highlighted. The site is located at the northern entrance to the village. A canal had been built there so that the machines could operate using the hydraulic energy of the waters of the Nive.
In addition to guided tours, this legacy of a powerful industry which was stopped in the 20th century is explained at the Olhaberri Mining Heritage Interpretation Center. Modern in design, the result of research carried out by historians, archaeologists but also speleologists, the Center evokes and explains over 100 m² the history of mines via documents, models, projections but also "in situ" guided tours of certain mines (especially those exploited by the Romans). A restaurant and a bar are also available. The Center is open from Wednesday to Sunday in summer and from Thursday to Sunday the rest of the year. Guided tours are offered Tuesday to Sunday in summer and Tuesday to Saturday from April to June and September to November. Free entry for exhibitions, paying (4 and 7 euros) for guided tours. Information on +33 5 59 37 79 19.
In a completely different register, but still in terms of civil heritage, several old traditional residences and farms can be observed in the town or hamlets. Some are listed in the Inventory, such as the Gorria farm (18th century) with wooden mullioned windows and ornate structural supports (ailliers), or the Gixonaenea farm where the date 1808 is carved on a door plaque.
On the southern end of the territory, the redoubt (fort) of Lindus (or Lindux) dates from 1813 and bears witness to the battles which took place in the mountains between the French troops of Soult and those of the English Wellington.
Finally, it is worth mentioning the Saint-Pierre church, rebuilt in the 19th century according to an elongated plan in limestone and sandstone rubble and preceded by a two-level bell tower-porch. We note that the nave is covered with a long-sided roof. Inside, it has a false barrel vault and two rows of stands served by straight staircases have been built. The choir is decorated with a painting dated from the 1860s.
In terms of leisure, in addition to the traditional Basque pediment (which is at Banca crossed by a road), a visit is essential to the fish farm producing the famous trout “Banka” with video projections, explanations from operators and shop (where you can find, in addition to trout and derivatives, leather goods made from “leather” from fish skin). FREE ENTRANCE. Information on +33 5 59 37 45 97.
It is also interesting to visit the Ohako farm at an altitude of 500 m where 200 mother ewes and 25 blonde Aquitaine cows are raised. Herds which reach the meadows in summer via traditional transhumance. The farm produces cheeses in particular. Free visit. Contact +33 5 59 37 49 60.
All that remains is to take advantage of the tremendous potential offered to hikers. Paths lead from the village, in the valley, to the summits, to the south: we then join larger paths such as the GR 225 which follows the route of refugees who fled Spain in 1938 (i.e. 4 stages of 10 15 km from the Spanish side of the border), the smugglers' path (accessible to horsemen) but also the road to Roncesvalles (known by the song of Rolland but which was also a stop on the way to Saint-Jacques).
A number of loops are dedicated to discovering the rich biodiversity of Banca and neighboring localities, with magnificent viewpoints to boot. This is the case of the route leading to the Lindux redoubt, at an altitude of 1120 m, which has also become a haunt for many migratory birds, or the one that explores the Hayra forest in the southwest, renowned for its beech groves., also popular with ornithologists...
Maps and information for hikers on +33 5 59 26 03 16.
