Urrugne, between Saint-Jean-de-Luz and Spain

This large village with 9,000 residents benefits from a privileged location on the Basque Coast. Facing the ocean from its rocky shoreline 6 km long, this commune surrounded by a magnificent natural environment draws fans of dazzling views of the sea and mountains.

Close to Spain and the seaside resorts of Saint-Jean-de-Luz and Hendaye, Urrugne occupies an area of about 12,350 acres. This serene commune has succeeded in preserving its authenticity and traditions, deeply anchored in the Basque country’s art of living. In its very centre, the impressive Church of Saint Vincent overlooks the village comprised of typical Basque houses with timberwork painted in red, blue or green. On the ocean side, the Socoa neighbourhood is a residential coastal area where many apartments are to be found in residences of good quality. At the foot of the mountains, the hamlets of Olhette and Herboure are prized by connoisseurs, offering breathtaking panoramic views, quiet surroundings, large grounds and lots of sunshine.

“Urrugne’s property market is rather diverse. Villas with the most desirable appointments cost from 800,000 € to 1.5 M €. Negotiations are occasionally tough, but buyers are there, drawn by a market with prices lower than those posted three years ago. The trend is increasingly towards a well-balanced market, with sellers’ requirements more and more in line with market reality,” explains David Plumeau of the Louis 14 agency, whose clientele consists of French buyers looking for holiday homes and the newly retired, thinking about settling in the region, with budgets ranging from 600,000 € to 1.2 M €. Among his recent sales reflecting the current market, David Plumeau mentions a contemporary villa of 260 m2 built in 2013 in grounds of 3,400 m2 laid out on terraced embankments. Offering a sweeping view, a pool, a garage and a sunny outlook, it just sold for 940,000 €.

”Urrugne is the best fall-back market for clients frustrated by the very limited offerings in Saint-Jean-de-Luz,” comments Pierre Deglaire, director of the Coldwell Banker agency specializing in high-end and prestige properties. “Buyers with budgets of around 1 million euros looking for the Basque Country lifestyle also find fast access here to the beaches and shops in Saint-Jean, authentic charm, peacefulness, houses offering local architecture and, often, very lovely views. There is a wide array of availabilities, though not many properties of excellent quality. Even so, Urrugne can lay claim to some convincing assets, likely to appeal to families wanting to be near the safe beaches of Saint-Jean-de-Luz.” The cheapest properties to renovate cost around 3,500 € per sqm, while villas of 250 m2 with gardens of 2,000 m2 and mountain views range from 4,500 to 5,000 € per sqm. As for outstanding properties on the corniche road linking Saint-Jean-de-Luz to Hendaye, they can attain 6,000 to 7,000 € per sqm.