Urrugne and Urtubie are one and the same. The former is a commune, the latter a fortress. This monument is part of the heritage of the Pays Basque, a region of south-western France rich in both history and curiosities. Located less than 4 kilometers from Saint-Jean-de-Luz, at the gateway to Spain, Château d’Urtubie is well worth a visit. The estate is full of pleasant surprises.
The history of the fortified Château d’Urtubie in Urrugne
Château Urtubie is ideally located in Urrugne. From 1341 to 1497, a feudal castle belonged to the de Tartas family. Several families followed by marriage. Later, however, the building was destroyed by fire in a dispute. All that remained was the keep and the walls. It was subsequently rebuilt in 1505. From 1745 onwards, the château was renovated and enlarged to become a building whose fame earned it the status of historic monument in 1974. The last owners were the de Coral family. So, Urrugne’s heritage was always privately owned before being made public.
An attractive domain
Firstly, it’s set in a vast 6-hectare park whose English gardens bloom in summer and spring. Secondly, its 18th-century orangery houses a permanent exhibition and store on the theme of “the benefits of Basque plants and their essential oils”. There’s also an outdoor swimming pool. The estate’s 17th-century farmhouse, with its ancestral beams, houses a restaurant serving dishes based on local produce. Finally, everything inside the château has been renovated. The rooms are furnished with period furniture and decorated with refinement. In short, everything is perfect for welcoming the public, especially tourists. There’s never a dull moment here.
A tourist site ready to welcome you with open arms
Not only can you sample the farm’s delicious cuisine, such as lamb pressé and trout gravlax, at , but you can also visit the park, the château and the orangery. A 40-minute guided tour or a 30-minute self-guided tour with explanatory sheet is available. It’s up to you. You can come as a group, or as a family , or with your children. The bravest of the young can play the Escape Game, an escape game that involves finding a way out in an hour after being locked in a room in the building. Children under the age of 5 pay no entry fee .
Today, Châtelain Laurent de Coral is keen to bring back the virtues of plants, and is working with a French laboratory to develop a range of natural cosmetics.
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