Discover Ciboure: Hotels and Maritime Heritage

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Editor's Choice

Pure Luxury

“Call me spoiled - but I love to be treated like a queen when traveling. Only the best is good enough for me. Hotels that make my vacation a dream of luxury and seduction are my choices. Pay attention to the (violet Medal) for luxury accommodation.”

Tatjana Herzegova, Kiew, Ukraine

Editor's Choice

Sustainable Travel

“There is only one earth and we should go out and see it. I like hotels, which look for sustainability. It is not only protecting the ecology, but also taking care for the local business and culture. I recommend the medal for eco accomodation. Let’s protect our earth. Sustainable travel is travelling with responsibility.”

Markus Lenk, Düsseldorf, Germany

Bay history, a fort with a military purpose, and underwater winemaking offer different perspectives on maritime heritage in Ciboure. The format also makes a difference when choosing what to focus on during your visit: the CIAP offers a playfully designed exhibition route, the fort can only be viewed from the outside, and Egiategia’s visits and tastings are available by reservation only.

The history of the bay at the CIAP Les Récollets – Errekoletoak

The CIAP Les Récollets – Errekoletoak is designed as a facility accessible to everyone. It offers an introduction to the history of the Bay of Saint-Jean-de-Luz and Ciboure, with a particular focus on maritime heritage. The playfully designed exhibition route gives this subject its own distinctive form. The CIAP also offers visitors access to a historic site dating from the 17th century, with more than 1,000 m² in the heart of the harbor. This brings together the history of the bay and a tangible historic site: the route focuses on a particular theme, while the site itself offers another perspective on the heritage.

Fort de Socoa: construction history and defensive purpose

Fort de Socoa was intended to protect the harbor of Socoa and the Bay of Saint-Jean-de-Luz. Construction began in 1627, and Vauban later modified the fort. Its construction history and defensive purpose reveal two sides of the same story: the fort is a military heritage site whose significance is tied to the harbor and bay. Visitors should note one clear restriction: the fort can only be viewed from the outside. As access conditions may change, check them before your visit. Viewing the exterior is therefore a different way to encounter history from an exhibition route such as the one at the CIAP.

Egiategia and underwater winemaking

At Egiategia, wine is linked to a distinctive place: the cellar is located in the former blockhouse of the harbor of Socoa. The visits introduce the history of underwater winemaking. This technical innovation was conceived and tested by Emmanuel Poirmeur in the Bay of Saint-Jean-de-Luz/Ciboure; it is described as unique in the world. Egiategia offers three visit and tasting formats, by reservation only. If you would like to include this experience in your stay, plan ahead to make a reservation and check the requirement before travelling. The focus here is not the general history of the bay, but a specific process and its development in the bay.

Three perspectives on maritime heritage

The subjects differ primarily in their perspectives. The CIAP offers an introduction to the history of the bay; the fort brings a specific historical purpose into view: protecting the harbor and bay. Egiategia takes you from this maritime context to a technical story about wine. The options therefore range from culture and a historic site to military heritage and a visit and tasting that require a reservation. Which focus appeals to you most depends on whether you would like to learn more about the history of the bay, the fort’s defensive purpose, or underwater winemaking.

Discover more destinations: Bidache, Aïnhoa, Lourdios-Ichère, Urdos, Ledeuix, Menditte, Aren, Banca

For the broader travel overview: Pyrenees-Atlantiques.

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