Two beautiful castles, listed as Historic Monuments, are the pride of the town of Mauléon-Licharre: the imposing medieval castle fort of Mauléon, perched on a hillside and dating from the 12th century, with its walkway offering a magnificent view over the Saison Valley and the Pyrenees; and Andurain Castle in Maytie, in the Renaissance style, with mullioned windows and sculpted dormers. The latter, built by Arnaud de Maytie in the early 17th century, boasts splendid carved fireplaces and a library containing books from the 16th and 17th centuries.
As the espadrille capital, Mauléon-Licharre honours the famous rope-soled canvas shoe every year at the espadrille festival which is held there on 15 August!
Mauléon-Licharre is a city surrounded by hills. It is capital of the Soule, province of the Basque Country in the department of Pyrénées-Atlantiques.
Its origins go back to medieval times, its birth is directly linked to the fortress considered impregnable hence the name "Lion Redoutable" (Mau / léon). As for Licharre, the word means in the Basque language "ash" thus recalling the presence of forests of ash trees.
Licharre was the seat of the jurisdiction of Soule since the Middle Ages, "Lo noguer de Litxarre". The fusion between Mauléon and Licharre took place in 1841. Today, a rich and varied architectural heritage is being rediscovered, witnessing a prestigious past.
Since then, Mauléon has lived through evolutions over the centuries. The city developed considerably in the 19th century thanks to the establishment of the espadrille industry.
At that time, beautiful houses were built around the vast square of the Alleys as well as in the street Victor Hugo. Its population was enriched and diversified thanks to the arrival of Navarrese and Aragonese, then the Portuguese in the late 1960s, arrived to work.
This industry had its apogee in the early 20th century, and today still Mauléon is considered the capital of the espadrille. A feast is dedicated to him on August 15th.
Nowadays, it is still a very dynamic town, which has diversified its industrial fabric. The cultural activities are developed cinema, theater (festival) concerts, exhibitions...
There are all kinds of sports activities (rugby is considered the discipline queen) and the hunting of the dove. You can enjoy it during its "superb festivals" so famous in the Basque Country that take place in July.
The weekly market is held on the site of the Upper Town on Tuesday morning and the place of Aisles on Saturday morning.
Carnival Mauléon in March, the theater festival in May Stage in May and other exposures to the Heritage House are festive events essential to the community.
Mauléon celebrations around July 14.
The Feast of the sneaker on August 15 instead of Aisles: a manufacturing sneakers can see all the steps of making a sneaker from the sole of rope.
In summer, many events are organized as the night market, a visit to the castle of Andurain candles, hand pelota-naked-or joko garbi on the pediments of the Upper Town or Driveways, without forgetting Tournament cesta punta at Jai-Alai.
Visite du Jardin d'Agerria
- On 17 april 2024
- 3 rue du frère Alban, Jardin d'Agerria
- Sylvie HULLIN is a herbalist. She looks after the Agerria garden and, thanks to her care, the flowers and medicinal plants flourish. - She invites you to come and discover this extraordinary garden. She'll share with you her knowledge of the flora that embellishes this peaceful spot. - Registration required.
Initiation à la Pelote Basque
- On 18 april 2024
- 10 rue Jean-Baptiste Heugas, Fronton
- Philippe, sports educator and pelota player, will introduce you to Basque pelota and four of its specialities : - - the bare hand, - - the xare (Argentinian racket), - - the pala ancha, - - the chister (plastic chistera). - Initiation takes place on the Mauléon fronton, or at the trinquet in case of rain. - Ages 5 to 97. - Bookings at the tourist office.
Atelier Mémoire
- On 18 april 2024
- 14 rue des frères Barenne, Collectif souletin
- Le Collectif souletin offers a memory workshop. It's open to people aged 55 and over. - You'll take part in games and be given tips and advice on how to boost your memory. - Places limited to 12 people. - Registration required.
Marché Traditionnel
- On 20 april 2024
- Rue du jeu de Paume
- Thanks to the large number of stallholders and visitors, the market is an essential part of the weekend get-together. - You'll find local products such as cheeses, cold meats, poultry…
Initiation à la Pelote Basque
- On 25 april 2024
- 10 rue Jean Baptiste Heugas, Fronton
- Philippe, sports educator and pelota player, will introduce you to Basque pelota and four of its specialities : - - the bare hand, - - the xare (Argentinian racket), - - the pala ancha, - - the chister (plastic chistera). - Initiation takes place on the Mauléon fronton, or at the trinquet in case of rain. - Ages 5 to 97. - Bookings at the tourist office.
Atelier Mémoire
- On 25 april 2024
- 14 rue des frères Barenne, Collectif souletin
- Le Collectif souletin offers a memory workshop. It's open to people aged 55 and over. - You'll take part in games and be given tips and advice on how to boost your memory. - Places limited to 12 people. - Registration required.
Marché Traditionnel
- On 27 april 2024
- Rue du jeu de Paume
- Thanks to the large number of stallholders and visitors, the market is an essential part of the weekend get-together. - You'll find local products such as cheeses, cold meats, poultry…
Bourse aux Vélos
- On 27 april 2024
- Atelier Bizi'kleta, Impasse Marcel Queheille
- The Syndicat des Mobilités de la Communauté Pays Basque is supporting the organization of the Soule bicycle fair, organized by the local bicycle promotion association. - This is an opportunity for cycling enthusiasts and the curious to discover a selection of second-hand bikes at affordable prices, and to exchange tips and tricks on bike maintenance and use. The morning will be devoted to receiving and diagnosing bikes for sale. Sales will take place in the afternoon. The last hour will be used to collect the proceeds of the sale, and unsold bikes will be taken back by their owners or donated to the workshop. No repairs will be carried out on this day.
Visite du Jardin d'Agerria
- On 28 april 2024
- 3 rue du frère Alban, Jardin d'Agerria
- Sylvie HULLIN is a herbalist. She looks after the Agerria garden and, thanks to her care, the flowers and medicinal plants flourish. - She invites you to come and discover this extraordinary garden. She'll share with you her knowledge of the flora that embellishes this peaceful spot. - Registration required.
Concert : Nadau
- On 30 april 2024
- 2 allée du 8 mai 1945, Jaï Alaï
- Doors open at 7:30pm. - Talo and refreshments on site. - Opening act : Berzaitz brothers / Anuxka Etcheto and Léa Escondeur.
