At the heart of the Basque Country, in the province of Labourd, discover Ascain, a charming village with its picturesque central square and Basque pelota court, narrow alleys dotted with pretty Labourdine houses, and a church with a porch bell-tower dedicated to Our Lady of the Assumption. The latter houses a beautiful altar and three floors of wooden galleries!
Town of Pyrenees-Atlantiques and border with Spain, Ascain is at the top of the Rhune, a Pyrenean summit six kilometers from the Atlantic coast. Member of the urban area of Bayonne, the small town radiates with its typical Basque architecture and labourdine where blue, red and green contrast with the white plaster of the houses.
Crossed by the Nivelle, the city is also dominated by three peaks, Bizkarzun, Esnaur and Larrun. On Ascain, many excursions to the mountains are possible on foot or by car.
But Ascain owes its fame to the personalities who radiates worldwide. Thus, Pierre Loti wrote his novel Ramuntcho, while Winston Churchill painted in watercolor and Jacques Chaban-Delmas are based.
With its strong Basque footprint and the charm of its architecture, the city of Ascain full of beauties that charm tourists.
Surrounded by the Pyrenees mountains, the town of Ascain no shortage of attractions, and this in all areas.
Emblem of the French Basque Country, the Rhune rises to 900 meters and marks the border with Spain. The city of Ascain serves different starting point hikes in the mountains. From its peak, it enjoys a breathtaking view over the Atlantic Ocean and the Landes forest, or the Pyrenees and the Bidasoa valley. You can access it by a rack railway. Classified site, the Rhune is part of a natural area of ecological interest, flora and fauna.
The Church of the Assumption, inaugurated by Louis XIII himself in the early seventeenth century, retains many medieval remains. It also has a beautiful altarpiece in gilded wood, and a molding of a statue of the fourteenth century whose original is in the Cluny Museum in Paris. Recently restored, the Serres chapel was in the Middle Ages a relay to the pilgrims on the road to Saint Jacques de Compostela.
Listed historical monument, the Roman bridge of the Nivelle was rebuilt in the early 1990s following a major flood. It was an important strategic place during the retreat of Napoleon's armies in 1813, facing Wellington.
Also listed historical monument, the house of Ferdinand Pinney Earle, former film set designer, was built in Mexican style and form a very original plot revolver.
At a place called Aïra-Harri, a set of nine stone circles has been classified as an historic monument in 1950.
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Ascain no shortage of entertainment and festivities to liven up the streets throughout the year.
A traditional market takes place all year, Saturday morning from 8 to 13h. In August, the city also organizes the Krea'Merkatua, a market creators and producers. In the evening, thirty artisans offer their unique creations. A Christmas market is held every year in December.
In early April, Neska Korrika is a 7 kilometer women's race that takes place in the streets of Ascain. Later, the city hosts the Arts Forum, with exhibitions of free-visual artists.
From late June to mid-August, up to the Paths of photography Ascain. This open-air festival is the opportunity to admire the photographs of 40 professional and amateur photographers worldwide, outdoors or in the shops of traders in the city.
The stroke of the Rhune, a foot race of 13 kilometers stretching between the village and the top of the Rhune takes place in August, as the village festival and entertainment.
