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Sare
Pyrénées-Atlantiques
Sare: take the time to experience the Basque Country!
Set amongst traditional houses with green or red shutters, the Pyrenean mountains and traditions that are very much alive, Sare embodies a way of life deeply rooted in Basque culture at the foot of the Rhune.
From pelota to village festivals and from smugglers' trails to local crafts, this characterful land invites you to slow down and savour every moment.
'Saran Astia': we've got plenty of time here!
Mountains and heritage at the heart of the Basque Country
From the depths of the Sare caves to the heights of La Rhune, via Saint-Martin’s Church and its remarkable bell tower, Sare reveals a heritage that is intimately linked to its environment and its Basque identity. Are you ready to take the time to discover its treasures?
Les Plus Beaux Villages de France
Les Plus Beaux Villages de France
Word of Mouth
Sare undoubtedly boasts one of the most beautiful churches in Labourd. The adjoining cemetery is also well worth a visit, as it bears witness to Basque traditions and craftsmanship in the field of funerary art. Here, you can admire various gravestones featuring disc-shaped crosses, which were brought back into fashion from the 1930s onwards. The rules governing their design follow a precise ritual, as only the gravestone bears an inscription, whilst the disc-shaped cross is engraved with symbols on one or both sides.
Your experiences to live in Sare
©Teddy Bear-OT Basque Country
Take some time out in the main square
Make the village’s motto, “Saran Astia”, inscribed on the church’s sundial, your own: “In Sare, we’ve got time”! In the main square, watch the pelota players at the fronton, enjoy a coffee on a terrace, do your shopping in the local shops and at the summer farmers’ and craft markets, and take part in the many festivals and events organised throughout the year...
Climb to the Lizzarieta Pass
Take one of the two themed trails leading to this border pass: wood pigeon hunting (9 km / 2 hours 30 minutes) or forest and old mines (2.9 km / 1 hour 15 minutes). Information boards line these circular walks all the way to the top of the pass, where you can enjoy a panoramic view and have a bite to eat. Please note: there is a trail designed for children (45 mins there and back), based on a fairy tale, available via the “Lizzarieta Aventures” app.
©Sare Town Hall
Get into the spirit of the festivities and traditions
Sare is a village that loves to celebrate and share throughout the year. At Easter, the “Biltzar” book fair brings together over 150 Basque writers. At the end of July, the Antiques Fair welcomes over 150 traders. On the last Sunday in August, the Smugglers’ Cross-Country Race re-enacts the history of cross-border trade from days gone by. In September (from the second Saturday to Wednesday), the eagerly awaited Sare Festival is a showcase of Basque culture, featuring pelota and strength-based games, dancing, singing and a mass in Basque…
How to make a Basque cake
Get stuck in at the Basque Cake Museum! The pastry chef welcomes you for a tour and tasting session to discover the secrets behind this famous dessert. The museum comprises various areas where you can also explore a collection of everyday objects from a traditional Basque home. And to showcase your baking skills, sign up for one of the workshops where you can make your own cake (also suitable for children)!
Ideas for everyone, all the time
The Oct. 30, 2026 from 7 p.m.
Le patrimoine archéologique du massif de Larrun
The Larrun Massif is home to an exceptional archaeological heritage, bearing witness to several millennia of human presence. Imanol Amestoy, project manager at the CPIE Littoral Basque, will present the archaeological remains, recent discoveries, and key milestones in the history of this iconic mountain in the Basque Country. A lecture exploring archaeology, landscapes, and human memory, as part of the POCTEFA cross-border project. Free with registration (limited seating)
Next dates:
- 10/30/2026
Open every day
The Nov. 22, 2026 from 10:30 a.m.
Danse et musique : Txiotxioka
A performance in the Basque language, designed to be accessible to the visually impaired. The show’s choreography draws inspiration from the poetic language of Japanese haiku. With the collaboration of a musician on stage, the dancers embody the movement that words evoke.
Next dates:
- 11/22/2026
Open every day
The Nov. 28, 2026 from 9 a.m.
Marché de Noël
UPCOMING PROGRAM
Next dates:
- 11/28/2026
Open every day
The Dec. 19, 2026 from 4 p.m.
Olentzero Saran
Program to come.
Next dates:
- 12/19/2026
Open every day
Etxola Wildlife Park
Over 250 animals and around twenty different species are waiting to be discovered in this park, situated 7km from the village of Sare. Four-horned sheep, Basque pigs, woolly pigs, as well as llamas, zebu and camels... And to make the children’s day with the animals even more unforgettable, pony and pottok (a small horse from the Pyrenees) rides are also available.
Mountain bike ride from Sare to Hendaye
Follow the Grande Traversée des Pyrénées route from Sare to Hendaye for a challenging ride with friends! This 28 km route (approx. 4 hours) is aimed at experienced mountain bikers, with its numerous bends and significant elevation changes (+1,050 m / -1,100 m)! The route takes you over the Col d’Ibardin, and the views of the ocean will give you a boost before you dive into the waves at Hendaye beach!
Walk from Sare to Ainhoa and cross-border walk
Make the most of the return of fine weather and the reawakening of nature to explore the lush green landscapes of the inland Basque Country.
From Sare to Ainhoa: from one ‘Plus Beaux Villages de France’ to another
This easy 12 km route (approx. 2 hours 45 minutes) along the GR®10 “La Grande Traversée des Pyrénées” will take you to Ainhoa, which also holds the “Les Plus Beaux Villages de France” status. As you walk along the ancient path (“galtzada”), you’ll pass by wayside shrines, viewpoints overlooking La Rhune, meadows and the forest of Saint-Pée-sur-Nivelle.
The Blue Pottoks Walk: a hike through the Xareta region
The Pottok, a small horse native to the Basque Country, serves as the symbol to guide you along this route as you explore the cross-border region of Xareta, comprising the villages of Sare and Ainhoa to the north, and Urdax and Zigarramurdi to the south, which were once linked by smuggling routes. With a total length of 37 km (approx. 12 hours), this easy-to-moderate loop can be tackled in sections, one of which – the most popular – links the caves of Sare with those of Zugarramurdi and Urdax (allow 4 hours for the round trip).
A dip in the Sare swimming pool
Is it too hot? You don’t need to go far to cool off: the Sare swimming pool is right in the heart of the village, just 50 metres from the square! A 25-metre pool, a 12-metre pool and a paddling pool mean there’s something for everyone to swim or have fun, whatever your age or preference, and a lovely green space is perfect for relaxing between dips... And, as an added bonus, there’s a lovely view of the Rhune...!
The Basque House Ortillopitz
At the heart of Basque culture, the Etxe (the house) plays a central role. At the Col de Saint-Ignace, step inside Ortillopitz, a Basque house built in the 17th century on an estate covering several hectares of vineyards and orchards. Inside, you’ll find the interior furnished with original pieces and be transported back to the typical Basque way of life of that era.
Our recommendations
Les Plus Beaux Villages de France
Hôtel Arraya
This charming four-star guesthouse offers rooms imbued with Basque character. No matter which room you choose — Prestige, Privilège or Tradition — you can enjoy the comfort on offer and the warm hospitality of the third-generation family owners.
Map of Sare
Extend the visit to near Sare
Ainhoa
(7 km)
La Bastide-Clairence
(29 km)
Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port
(32 km)
Prepare your stay at Sare
Office de Tourisme Pays Basque
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