discovering the traditional houses of the territory

In the heart of the hilly slopes of the Basque Country, they have become an emblem. The Basque houses of labourd, with their white half-timbered facades, have a history. In Ainhoa, the walls of the Ithurria house are still alive, and have been for four generations. “Initially, this house was a relay station in Compostela”, says Maurice Isabal, of the second generation of the Ithurria house. Built in 1657, then transformed into a hotel-restaurant in the 1960s, everything has been done to preserve the traditional essence of this building.

Color code to respect

A heritage considered a treasure by the family. “We inherit a heritage, and we want it to last”, says Martin Isabal, from the fourth generation of Ithurria. The Etxea, we take care of it, and perhaps even more so in Sare (Pyrénées-Atlantiques). The Ortillopitz, a 17th century building, now transformed into a museum, is pampered by its owner, grandson of the last occupant of the premises. A half-timbered facade, always facing east, because bad weather comes from the west. As for colors, there is a code to respect. “The red color, the green color, the natural wood color, and then, on the seafront, the blue color is authorized”, explains Jean-Elie Tapia, owner of the Ortillopitz. In the Basque country, according to the adage, it is not the house that belongs to the man, but the man who belongs to the house.