Ustaritz was the capital of the province of Labourd until the French Revolution. The town’s history is reflected in its buildings, historic connections and routes: Château Lota houses the offices of the Institut Culturel Basque, the Église Saint-Vincent is protected as a historic monument, and five historic mills have been preserved in different forms. There are also walking trails featuring rural heritage and the Parcours de Sainte-Barbe near Arrauntz. If you are considering Ustaritz as a destination, you can choose between exploring the town’s history, its architecture and a specific circular route with a view.

Cultural history and architecture

Château Lota brings together a precise construction period and a present-day institutional use. Bernard, known as Baptiste Duhart, and his wife, Dominique-Rosalie Ainciondo, built the château between 1874 and 1879; before that, they had made their fortune in Chile. Today, the building houses the offices of the Institut Culturel Basque. Thus, the same place brings together its origins in the late 19th century and its current use by a Basque cultural institution.

The Église Saint-Vincent offers a different architectural feature. It was rebuilt in the Neo-Gothic style from 1859 onwards; its features include galleries and painted wall decorations. A decree dated 3 August 2001 protects the entire church as a historic monument. For travellers interested in religious architecture, the church offers specific points of interest: its Neo-Gothic style, galleries and painted wall decorations.

The mills also offer a different timescale for exploring the town’s history. Five historic mills have been preserved in Ustaritz in different forms. Haitzeko Iharra is documented as a grain mill and was transferred to Augier de Lehet, the Seigneur of Haitze, in 1424. Latseko Iharra was dependent on the House of Hirigoina at the beginning of the 14th century. The two cases differ in the nature of the relationship: Haitzeko Iharra involves a dated transfer to a named person, while Latseko Iharra was dependent on a house.

Walking trails, a circular route and a weekly market

Along the municipality’s walking trails, you can see restored fountains, washhouses and a lime kiln as examples of rural heritage; private chapels, viewpoints and watchtowers can also be seen along the routes. The Parcours de Sainte-Barbe in Arrauntz is another option: a named circular route. It is 4.5 kilometres long and reaches a ridge with views of the ocean and the Basque mountains. Its length gives you a specific indication of the distance; the ridge adds a clear scenic destination.

A farmers’ market is held every Saturday morning on Place LOTA. The voie verte leads to the Plaine des sports d’Ustaritz in just a few minutes.

What kind of outing suits your plans?

The difference between the walking trails and the Parcours de Sainte-Barbe is clear: the trails take you past various elements of rural heritage, while the Parcours is a circular route with a set distance of 4.5 kilometres that leads to a ridge with views of the ocean and the Basque mountains. This can help you decide whether to focus on several features of the town during your stay or choose a clearly named circular route.

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