Xareta became the perfect area for the cross-border smuggling of goods.On the French border near the Dantxarinea crossing, town of Urdazubi-Urdax emerged as an advantageous place for contraband-running.
Even today the best shopping mall in the area can be found in Dantxarinea.
Every day people travel to the area from all over the French Basque country, the Landes, and even from as far afield as Bordeaux and Toulouse. Dantxarinea is currently undergoing an expansion and two major shopping malls are now being built.Here you'll find quality products at affordable prices. Plus a wide range of articles and services: food, tobacco products, fashion, service station, wine and spirits, variety store, and more. At our restaurants you can enjoy the best of traditional fare, tapas, fixed-price menus, and more.
Today, Xareta is an association founded on 13 September 2004 that represents four towns on both sides of the border -- Ainhoa, Sare, Urdazubi-Urdax and Zugarramurdi -- offering a wealth of historical and cultural treasures.The partnership between the four towns of Xareta has fuelled the development of local tourism activities. One of the projects has been the 'pottokaren bidea', or blue pony trail, a historical path that connects the four towns and prehistoric caves.Shared history on both sides of the border:
After war was declared between France and Spain in March 1793, and following the military disaster at Sare, a decree of internment was issued against the people of Labourd, described as 'makers of prayers' and suspected as spies for Spain.Some 4000 people from Sare, Souraïde, Ainhoa and Itxassou were deported. After the fall of Robespierre, the survivors took back their towns and recovered their possessions.
The valley of Xareta spans four municipalities located on either side of the border : Zugarramurdi and Urdax in Navarra, Spain, and Sare and Ainhoa in the Lapurdi region of France. The boundary has been blurred by mountains, verdant pastures, rivers and
Xareta is the land of the Akelarre, or Witches' Sabbat. Legend has it that these Sabbat gatherings took place in the Zugarramurdi caves, the meadows of Urdax and at the foot of Mt Larrun.
