Sainte-Engrâce in 30 seconds
Around 170 inhabitants (172 in 2022), some thirty kilometres from Mauléon-Licharre. The municipality occupies the Uhaitxa valley, and the Gave de Sainte-Engrâce, a tributary of the Saison, runs through it. Access via the D113 departmental road.
What to see
The Kakuetta gorges
Gorges just under 4 km long, with walls 30 to 350 m high; at the Grand Étroit, only a few metres separate the two cliffs. The laid-out trail (about 1.5 km) ends at a waterfall of around twenty metres and a cave. Mosses, lichens and ferns create a humid microclimate. First explored by Édouard-Alfred Martel in 1906.
Sainte-Engrâce’s Romanesque church
A Romanesque church founded in 1085 by the abbey of Leyre, with three naves, famous for its 12 remarkable capitals. Classified as a historic monument in 1841, restored in the mid-1980s. The village is dedicated to Saint Engratia, a martyr of Portuguese origin whose cult began in Zaragoza.
The Verna chamber
A huge cavern in the Pierre-Saint-Martin cave system (255 × 245 × 194 m), opened to the public in 2010 and billed by its operators as the largest illuminated underground chamber in the world. Several options: a discovery tour (wheelchair accessible), a descent to the underground river, exploration and adventure caving trips. Open all year round, by reservation only; not open to children under 5.
The Ehujarre gorges
Another hiking spot in the municipality.
Cross-country skiing at Issarbe
A cross-country ski area shared with Lanne-en-Barétous.
Local specialities
- Ossau-Iraty PDO (AOP)
Getting there
- By car: D113 road
One-day itinerary
- Morning: the Romanesque church
- Afternoon: the Verna chamber, or a hike to the Ehujarre gorges
My favourite photo
The Romanesque church at sunset, a solemn silhouette in its mountain setting.
Sources
- Pays Basque tourist office (Office de tourisme Pays basque) — Closure of the Kakuetta gorges (in French) and The Kakuetta gorges
- La Verna cave — official website (in French)
- Wikipedia (in French): Sainte-Engrâce, Kakuetta gorges, Gouffre de la Pierre-Saint-Martin
Ongi jin Santa Grazira — Welcome to Sainte-Engrâce.