St Pee sur Nivelle is part of the province of Labourd. Ever since the middle ages, together with Basse Navarre and Soule, these three provinces have together formed the northern Basque Country.

From the XVIth century onwards this village, at the geographical crossroad linking the coast to the Basque hinterland, has sheltered pilgrims on their way to the shrine of St James of Compostella - witness the shell-shaped arch above the church's altar-screen and the many "hospice buldings" in the vicinity.

St Pee's main source of income has always come from farming. In 1960, over 250 smallholdings covered 16,250 acres of land.

St Pée greatly profited from the growth of the tourist industry along the Basque Coast in the 1960s and '70s. Today the village - population 5000 - can accommodate 4000 tourists.

Culture

The Basques are proud to share their cultural riches: the specific architecture of their houses, their choirs; their traditional dances; their mythical sports such as Basque Pelota and the imposing muscular demonstrations of "Basque Force".

Knowledge of all these activities has been transmitted to us through the ages thanks to Euskara, the Basque language, now codified and taught in schools.

Gastronomy : The pleasures of the palate are to be found everywhere, thanks to the village restaurants and shops which offer local specialities (piperade; Basque chicken; axoa stew; Bayonne ham; sea food; pimento spice from Espelette; ewes-milk cheese; Irouleguy wine; gateau basque...).

Nature

The countryside around St Pée consists of neatly-grazed hills and extensive forests.

Agriculture which in the past was mainly animal husbandry, has diversified not only into origin-guaranteed products (pimentos, vegetables, cheeses, poultry), but sales methods have also changed (today, produce is often sold directly from the farms or in local Saturday markets).

The surrounding countryside offers many sporting possibilities, with 100 kilometres of sign-posted paths (Hiking; mountain-biking). There is fishing in the river Nivelle and its tributaries and wood-pigeon shooting over the 6000 acres of communal forests and moor-land.

The lake « A small inland sea » :
Deep in the peaceful countryside, 2 kilometres from the center of the village, lies the fresh water lake of St Pée. Fed by four springs, its mirror-smooth surface covers 30 acres. The perfect place for family vacations.

Architecture

The church : partially rebuilt at the beginning of the XVIIth century, possesses an imposing altar-screen - surmounted by a concave arch in the form of St James' seashell - which dominates the choir. The paving is of beautifully worked flagstones from old graves. Three levels of wooden galleries, constructed in the unique regional style, overhang the nave.

The mill of Plazako Errota :
Near the chruch stands this XVth century mill. Two horizontal cast-iron water-wheels, activated by the nearby Amezpetu stream, rotate two double mill-stones.

The Legarreta wash-house is not far from the centre of St Pée sur Nivelle.
Built in the XIXth century, it was completed in 1855. This was where the Etxeko Andereak (housewives) could meet to exchange village news.

The bridges :
The bridges are called "roman" due to their distinctive arches, and one of the oldest, dating from the XIIIth (and XIVth) century, is to be found on the Pilgrim's Way. As for the XVIIIth century Utsalea bridge in central St Pée, it is said that lamins (legendary basques elves) once lived beneath its arches.

The castle ruins (XVI, XV and XVIIth century) :
Destroyed by fire in 1449 and again in 1793, all that remains of the castle today is a square tower and some grey stone walls smothered in ivy. It is known as the "witches' castle" because in 1609 a certain Pierre de Lancre, a Bordeaux parliament Councillor, was sent there to investigate allegations of witchcraft.
As a result, a great many - innocent? - victims were burnt at the stake.