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.
Suggested duration
1-2 hours
Suggest edits to improve what we show.
Improve this listingTours & experiences
Explore different ways to experience this place.
Full view
Top ways to experience Fort de Socoa and nearby attractions
The area
Address
Best nearby
Restaurants
206 within 3 miles
Attractions
94 within 6 miles
Contribute
Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
143 reviews
Excellent
66
Very good
56
Average
19
Poor
2
Terrible
0
George S
Carlsbad, CA545 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.
saronic
Zurich, Switzerland25,858 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.
GlobeTrip78
Cambrils, Spain1,267 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.
Ella
12 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.
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.
rajatjmail
Auvers-sur-Oise, France195 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.
No questions have been asked about this experience
Fort de Socoa (Ciboure) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go
Frequently Asked Questions about Fort de Socoa
- We recommend booking Fort de Socoa tours ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. See all 1 Fort de Socoa tours on Tripadvisor
- Hotels near Fort de Socoa:
- (0.10 mi) Amazing seaview apartment
- (0.17 mi) Apartment feet in the water 100 m ², superb view on sea and mountain.
- (1.11 mi) Hotel de la Plage
- (1.09 mi) Hotel Txoko
- (1.25 mi) Hôtel Les Almadies
- Restaurants near Fort de Socoa:
- (0.12 mi) Le Socowa
- (0.07 mi) La Plancha de l'Océan
- (0.14 mi) La Cabane à Moules
- (0.15 mi) Chez Jules
- (0.16 mi) Snack du Fort Socoa