Hasparren
Discover Hasparren
Hasparren owes its name to the oak groves it was once surrounded by. One of the town’s outstanding sites and monuments is the Saint-Jean-Baptiste church. Built at the end of the 19th century, its impressive dimensions include two storeys of wooden galleries and a capacity of 1,800 worshippers. The Sacré-Coeur chapel, built in the 1930s, features an imposing mosaic choir and remarkable murals, halfway between Byzantine and art-deco styles. Hasparren is also famous for having welcomed the poet Francis Jammes from 1920 until his death in 1938. His green-shuttered home, the Maison Eyhartzea, has been restored to house the town’s associations and various exhibitions. During your stay in the Basque Country at a Hasparren campsite, you can visit the ARCA workshop, specialized in the conservation and restoration of painted works, free of charge. A stroll through the town center immerses you in Basque culture, with streets named after pelota players, typical Labourdine architecture and the fronton offering an exceptional panorama of Mount Ursuya. Basque traditions are alive and well here: alongside pelota tournaments, nine-pin bowling tournaments are also frequently organized. Last but not least, Hasparren lies at the heart of a privileged natural environment: the Hasparren moors, located in a Natura 2000 zone, are dotted with hiking trails regularly overflown by vultures.
Top 5 activities in Hasparren
Visit the Etxeko Bob’s Beer brewery
Take a trip to the heart of Hasparren, to a brewery producing original beers to take your senses on a journey. Observe and touch the components used to make a quality beer, and smell the aroma of this beverage. You’ll get a feel for the whole process.
Watch a game of pelota at the Berria trinquet
Basque pelota, derived from jeu de paume, consists in sending a ball (pelote) against a wall (fronton) so that it lands on the playing surface (cancha). A true Hasparren landmark, take in a game at the Berria trinquet hotel. Make yourself comfortable in the bleachers and watch the players in a friendly atmosphere. A great way to immerse yourself in Basque culture.
Hiking Mount Ursuya
For a breath of fresh air, take a hike to the small, child-friendly Ursuya massif. Culminating at 678 meters, the mountain offers a breathtaking view of the coastline of the Basque Country and Landes, as well as the peaks. Admire the beauty of the landscape and pay close attention to nature by observing the flora and fauna.
Enjoy Basque specialities at the Berria restaurant
For a good lunch or dinner with family, couple or friends, push open the doors of Le Berria to savor local specialties. The restaurant’s decor reflects Basque influences, and the menu is constantly updated with quality local produce. Enjoy Basque-style eggs, charcuterie, local cheeses, a variety of fish or dishes cooked with chilli pepper.
Shopping in the center of Hasparren
A shopping spree is a must during your stay in the region: take home a souvenir of your visit to the Basque Country, or make a small gift for your loved ones. In Hasparren town center, you’ll be spoilt for choice when it comes to shopping: clothes, shoes, decorative items or, of course, Basque specialities such as Espelette chilli pepper.