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Origin and history

The castle of Olce, located in Iholdy in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques, has its origins in the Middle Ages, with remains dating back to the 14th century. Although the exact date of construction of the primitive building remains unknown, the estate is attested from this medieval period. The present castle is the result of a major overhaul carried out in 1664 on the order of Jean d'Olce, bishop of Bayonne, who made it his summer residence. This prelate, the owner of the premises from 1643 to 1681, organized important events there, such as the proxy marriage of Louis XIV and Marie-Thérèse of Austria in 1660, celebrated in the cathedral of Bayonne but prepared since Olce.

The castle, passed by inheritance to a niece of Jean d'Olce, is still owned by its descendants, the Lafferranderie family. The building is distinguished by its three-storey central house body, flanked by two asymmetric pavilions, and a monumental staircase decorated with stucco and episcopal symbols. The interiors, sober, house 17th century fireplaces and a richly decorated altarpiece chapel. The gardens, restored in the 21st century, combine a line with the French and a labyrinth, while a bread oven in ruins bears witness to the domestic history of the estate.

Ranked at the Historic Monuments since 2005, Olce Castle opens its doors to the public from April to October, offering an architectural and historical testimony of episcopal influence in the Basque Country. Its staircase, decorations and chapel illustrate the modest fascist of an ecclesiastical residence in the Great Century, while its uninterrupted family transmission makes it a rare case of heritage continuity. Recent restorations have helped to highlight the original gardens and structural elements, while preserving the authenticity of the place.

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