Are you looking for a campsite near Ainhoa to enjoy the mountain scenery while hiking, or simply to visit this village classified as one of France’s “most beautiful villages “? Located in Espelette, our campsite in the Basque Country is within easy reach of the village of Ainhoa and its many activities.
Discover Ainhoa’s heritage
Although the village is best known for its charming, regionally-colored Labourdine houses, Ainhoa has other attractions that are sure to arouse the curiosity of visitors. The Notre-Dame-de-L’Assomption-d’Ainhoa church, with its remarkable architecture, is a must-see.
You can learn more about local history at the Maison du Patrimoine, and the Lavoir d’Ainhoa, which bears witness to the village’s rural past, offers a great opportunity to discover the traditional way of life. Finally, don’t miss the chapelle de l’Aubépine, a picturesque little sanctuary.
Hiking tours
around Ainhoa
Ainhoa hiking trails
Ainhoa is also an ideal starting point for hiking trails and the mythical GR10, which crosses the entire Pyrenees. Following this path, you can reach Sare (also one of France’s most beautiful villages) in 3 h 20.
If you like exploring, hiking around Ainhoa offers spectacular views of the Basque mountains and surrounding valleys, while allowing you to immerse yourself in the natural beauty of this region.
Foundation of the village of Ainhoa
The foundation of Ainhoa dates back to the first half of the 12th century, when Premonstratensian monks decided to create a vicariate in this area of pastureland, rich in oak forests. The idea was to establish a small bastide on the road to Compostela, in response to the needs of transhumant shepherds.
Originally, this fortified village would have been an enclave within the seigniorial estate of Juan Pérez de Baztán, an influential figure at the court of Navarre. Although the village was destroyed by the Spanish in the 17th century, the current 18th-century village of Ainhoa retains the soul and history of this unique heritage.
