Fort De Socoa
Fort De Socoa
4.5
About
This fort, built in 1627 and rebuilt by Vauban, was designed to protect the port of Socoa and the bay of Saint-Jean-de-Luz. He fulfilled his role until the mid-19th century before being assigned to Customs and then to sailing.
Duration: 1-2 hours
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4.5
152 reviews
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Reen_Depo
193 contributions
Dec 2022 • Couples
I was actually there mid-November 2022 not Dec. We were driving to Bordeaux from Bilbao and stopped here on the way for the views. If you need to stretch your legs on a drive, take a break here. It was beautiful and watching the waves hit was exciting. It wasn't too cold then either. I was in a long sleeve shirt and light coat.
Written November 23, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sandrine R
Ermont, France1,168 contributions
Jul 2023 • Family
Maritime shuttle taken to go to Fort Socoa (“Le Passeur” shuttle).
Very pleasant crossing with a magnificent view of the port of Saint-Jean and very nice Fort de Socoa.
Regular shuttle and fair price (7€ / person for the complete tour)
Very pleasant crossing with a magnificent view of the port of Saint-Jean and very nice Fort de Socoa.
Regular shuttle and fair price (7€ / person for the complete tour)
Written November 3, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
George S
Carlsbad, CA536 contributions
Apr 2017 • Couples
Fort de Socoa was created and built between 1627 and 1686 from the direct order of
King Louis XIII, by the famous French military architect and engineer Vauban.
The fort served as a military stronghold during all wars including WWII. The Fort de Socoa has been listed as a Historical Monument since 1925. Worth seeing when you are in the Basque Country.
King Louis XIII, by the famous French military architect and engineer Vauban.
The fort served as a military stronghold during all wars including WWII. The Fort de Socoa has been listed as a Historical Monument since 1925. Worth seeing when you are in the Basque Country.
Written May 5, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ella
Boston, IN12 contributions
Feb 2021
That walk to here is nice, on a not wet day. Views of Cibourne cliffs on a good visibility day would be nice.
Written February 26, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
saronic
Zurich, Switzerland28,818 contributions
Mar 2022
The fort of Socoa may be closed for visitors, but it is still very much worth to take the leisurely one hour walk from Saint-Jean-de-Luz to here. Past the Quai Maurice Ravel at Ciboure and the Socoa beach one will arrive at a little port with mainly pleasure craft. The whole area here is for pedestrians only and there are several cafés and restaurants.
The fort itself can well be studied from outside. It is possible to enter a gate in the outer wall. Besides the crenelated round tower seen from far one will discover that there are more buildings inside. Access to the fort is over a sea wall, that connects the mainland with the rocky outcrop in the sea, on which the defence work stands.
Its construction was meant as a protection for the entrance to the Saint-Jean-de-Luz harbour. There had been earlier plans, but first constructions for a round tower began in 1627 under King Louis XIII. Before being finished it was taken by the Spanish for a short time. On one of his inspection tours through France, the chief engineer of king Louis XIV, the Marquis, later Maréchal de Vauban (whose main works now belong to the UNESCO World Heritage) passed by here and gave his ideas for an improved fortification.
So at the end of the 17th century the tower was heightened, also barracks and platforms for cannons were added, all protected by an outer wall. For better access also a wall with a road was built between the mainland and the fort-islet. This is what we see today, with smaller alterations in the following centuries.
For a while it served as a customs house. During WWII German troops, stationed here, set the fort on fire at their departure, which left only the stone walls, destroying especially all the roofs. In more recent times parts of it were used for offices related to sailing. Declared a monument of historical value in 2008 reconstruction work is still going on.
The fort itself can well be studied from outside. It is possible to enter a gate in the outer wall. Besides the crenelated round tower seen from far one will discover that there are more buildings inside. Access to the fort is over a sea wall, that connects the mainland with the rocky outcrop in the sea, on which the defence work stands.
Its construction was meant as a protection for the entrance to the Saint-Jean-de-Luz harbour. There had been earlier plans, but first constructions for a round tower began in 1627 under King Louis XIII. Before being finished it was taken by the Spanish for a short time. On one of his inspection tours through France, the chief engineer of king Louis XIV, the Marquis, later Maréchal de Vauban (whose main works now belong to the UNESCO World Heritage) passed by here and gave his ideas for an improved fortification.
So at the end of the 17th century the tower was heightened, also barracks and platforms for cannons were added, all protected by an outer wall. For better access also a wall with a road was built between the mainland and the fort-islet. This is what we see today, with smaller alterations in the following centuries.
For a while it served as a customs house. During WWII German troops, stationed here, set the fort on fire at their departure, which left only the stone walls, destroying especially all the roofs. In more recent times parts of it were used for offices related to sailing. Declared a monument of historical value in 2008 reconstruction work is still going on.
Written January 28, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
GlobeTrip78
Cambrils, Spain1,262 contributions
Oct 2020 • Couples
You have to go to this area in fact it's next to Saint Juan de Luz so it means is very close. The place is wonderful but the time I visit it, the building was in the middle of a renovation.
Written October 11, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
BasqueGuy
Bilbao, Spain205 contributions
Sep 2017 • Family
it is a beautiful building in the neighbourhood of Zokoa (Socoa) in Ziburu (Ciboure), once again in Basque hands after it was purchased to the French army in 2011
Written June 20, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
rajatjmail
Auvers-sur-Oise, France190 contributions
Sep 2017 • Family
Although it was raining the walk was worth it.
You get a wonderful view of Saint-Jean-de-Luz and the bay.
You get a wonderful view of Saint-Jean-de-Luz and the bay.
Written September 12, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
OdileSylvainGERARD
Nancy, France747 contributions
Aug 2023 • Friends
A beautiful corner of the Basque coast that has no shortage of it. We went there after visiting Abbadia & taking a trip to Hendaye.
This old fort that we don't visit is located in a charming setting, with this beautiful view of the bay of St Jean-de-Luz opposite.
With a few colorful boats and beautiful sunshine, a most pleasant ride.
This old fort that we don't visit is located in a charming setting, with this beautiful view of the bay of St Jean-de-Luz opposite.
With a few colorful boats and beautiful sunshine, a most pleasant ride.
Written September 28, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Oceane D
18 contributions
Jul 2024 • Family
Great view! We advise you to take an indigo car park , which will also show you the pretty pedestrian streets of St jean de luz .
Do not hesitate to walk to enjoy all the beautiful views that can offer you the Basque coast!
Do not hesitate to walk to enjoy all the beautiful views that can offer you the Basque coast!
Automatically translated
Written July 17, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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