Can you visit the inside of the château des barons d'Espelette?

The building houses the town hall, tourist office and library, so the interior cannot be freely visited like a typical monument.

What remains of the original castle?

A corner tower dating from the 16th century and a fragment of a 17th-century dwelling survive, the rest having been destroyed around 1640.

Since when has the castle been protected?

It has been listed as a historic monument since a 2007 decree, along with its enclosure and archaeological remains.

How can you visit the castle along with the village?

A guided tour is offered from April to October on Thursday mornings, departing from in front of the post office in Espelette.

Espelette Castle

Espelette

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Where: Espelette

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Visite guidée : Au coeur des remparts parcours Grand BayonneTue, Nov 10 · château-Vieux de Bayonne17 km

Château des barons d'Espelette stands in Espelette (Pyrénées-Atlantiques), in the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region of France. The building is registered as a historic monument (dating recorded in the Mérimée database: fourth quarter of the 15th century, 17th century). Its opening hours and prices have not been verified at the source yet.

In Espelette, the barons of Ezpeleta once held a fortress, of which only a corner tower and a section of the residence survive, now part of the building housing the village town hall. The polygonal stronghold with five semi-circular towers, built around 1480 to withstand artillery, was destroyed around 1640 after an act of betrayal, then replaced by a 17th-century dwelling. The surviving tower still shows gun ports and the remains of a turret, while the dwelling's façade retains triangular pediments and a pilastered doorway.

What to know

The building today houses Espelette's town hall, tourist office and library, which limits free access to the interior.
The visible remains are limited to a corner tower and a fragment of the former residence.
A guided tour of the village including the castle runs from April to October on Thursdays, meeting in front of the post office.
The structure has been a listed historic monument since 2007, along with its enclosure and archaeological subsoil.
It stands in the centre of the village of Espelette, near the other local sights.

Where this château is

Espelette · Pyrénées-Atlantiques · Nouvelle-Aquitaine

Map of the area around Château des barons d'Espelette

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This châteauChâteaux within 40 km

Address

64250 Espelette

Directions open from wherever you are, by car or public transport.

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Heritage status: Registered historic monument (inscrit); Mérimée record PA00084386
Period of construction: fourth quarter of the 15th century, 17th century

Frequently asked

Can you visit the inside of the château des barons d'Espelette?: The building houses the town hall, tourist office and library, so the interior cannot be freely visited like a typical monument.
What remains of the original castle?: A corner tower dating from the 16th century and a fragment of a 17th-century dwelling survive, the rest having been destroyed around 1640.
Since when has the castle been protected?: It has been listed as a historic monument since a 2007 decree, along with its enclosure and archaeological remains.
How can you visit the castle along with the village?: A guided tour is offered from April to October on Thursday mornings, departing from in front of the post office in Espelette.