Sare is classified as one of the most beautiful villages in France, with a village square where, as in all Basque villages, the famous trilogy of the pediment, church and town hall (Herriko etxea) can be found, surrounded by beautiful mountains.
The surrounding countryside is gentle and harmonious, with a listed district 1.5 km from the town of Ihalar, known as "Little Paris".
Sare, a listed village: Here, we take our time: Saran Astia is the village motto.
CHURCH:
In the village, where some houses date back to the 15th century, in addition to the many bridges, wash-houses and oratories, you'll want to pay particular attention to Saint Martin's church, enlarged and enhanced in the 17th century, with its five-storey tower. Inside, three storeys of carved oak galleries with turned-wood balusters catch the eye. The bell tower, destroyed by fire, was recently rebuilt and is open to visitors every Monday at 11 a.m. in summer. Reservations: https://www.en-pays-basque.fr/visite/visite-notre-son-de-cloche/
Away from the village, the Sainte-Catherine chapel was rebuilt in the 17th century on the foundations of an older building (15th century). It also has wooden floors. I invite you to make a diversion to the district where it is located, the Ihalar district, a listed bastide street with its houses dating from the 16th century for the oldest.
A detailed guided tour of the village is possible, including an evocation of the smuggling trade of the past, a study of the many sculpted lintels on the facades and a visit to the frescoed farmhouse, decorated in 1936 by refugees fleeing Franco.
The Sare tourist office organises guided tours from June to September: in the footsteps of the smugglers.