Saint-Palais, commune in Pyrénées-Atlantiques, France
Saint-Palais is a small commune in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques that sits on a rocky promontory overlooking the Bidouze river valley below. The 19th-century church of Sainte-Marie-Madeleine with colored glass windows stands at the heart, while narrow paved streets connect traditional buildings and older structures throughout the town.
Saint-Palais became the capital of the Kingdom of Navarre after the conquest of Pamplona in 1521 under Henry II, making it a key political center. The former royal residences and the Erdoy-Oyhenart noble house, an old fortified manor, mark this important period of regional power.
Saint-Palais has deep Basque roots visible in summer festivals like the Madeline celebration in July and the Basque strength festival in August. These gatherings show how locals keep their traditions alive through music, dance, and community participation.
The town sits on the via Podiensis, an ancient pilgrimage route to Santiago de Compostela, with basic accommodations and services for hikers passing through. The narrow historic streets are easy to walk on foot, and paths along the Bidouze river lead into the surrounding countryside.
The Trinquet Saint-Jayme from 1891 is a rare surviving pelota court that shows the importance of this traditional Basque sport to local life. This historic playing area remains a window into a centuries-old athletic tradition still part of the community today.
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