The Le Puy route, also known as the Via Podensis and GR65, passes through Arzacq-Arraziguet, which continues to be regarded as a stopover town on the Way of St. James. This makes the town a convenient stop for pilgrims along the route. There is also a trail classified as the “Sentier d’Émilie.” At the same time, a visit offers more than its connection to the pilgrimage route: bastide architecture, sacred art, nature watching and the history of Bayonne ham are all different highlights. You can decide in advance whether your trip will focus mainly on the route or on culture and landscape.
Bastide history and church art
A 2.5 km walking route invites you to discover the typical bastide, with its arcades, the Tour de Peich, a remnant of the former castle, and its manor houses. The bastide of Arzacq-Arraziguet developed at the end of the 13th century or the beginning of the 14th century, expanding eastwards at the site of today’s Place de la République. The square was recently restored; behind its arcades and covered galleries, the façades of houses in the former bastide come into view. This makes it possible to understand the bastide both in its historical context and through the townscape itself.
The village church was built in the 19th century and contains two 16th-century furnishings classified as historic monuments. These include the polychrome and gilded carved limewood group “La Vierge à l’Enfant,” possibly a gift from Anne of Austria, and the wooden “Christ en Croix.” The titles of these wood carvings refer to different subjects: the Virgin and Child, and Christ on the Cross. A stained-glass window by glass artist Emile Thibaut depicts Saint James the Greater. Together, the Marian image, the Crucifixion and the patron saint of pilgrims stand out as distinct subjects in the church’s furnishings. The wood carvings predate the church building.
Nature watching and a museum visit
A 2 km loop around a 20-hectare lake offers a different perspective: the route is designed for observing local flora and fauna. It can be used on foot or by mountain bike and is easy to walk, with no particular difficulties. Compared with the bastide walking route, the loop around the lake is 0.5 km shorter; nature watching and architectural discoveries also offer different focuses for an outing.
The Maison du Jambon de Bayonne offers another focus: its museum exhibition features a playful, interactive, audio-guided tour exploring the long history of Bayonne ham. This experience combines the history of a specific product with a tour built around interaction and audio commentary. As visitor information can change, check the details before visiting the museum.
Discover more destinations: Louvie-Soubiron, Viven, Louvie-Juzon, Aramits, Saint-Martin-D'arrossa, Sainte-Engrâce, Ostabat-Asme, Ogenne-Camptort
For the broader travel overview: Pyrenees-Atlantiques.
