The Maison de l’Infanta of Saint Jean de Luz !!!

Posted in Europe, France, Spain

I have heard of the history and the story of course part of my history too. However, with so much to see,took me a while to be there. Then ,one day we were with the families on the beaches of the Médoc and looking for something else to see I came up with the idea of visiting this town. Well the rest is history and we have been several times to Saint Jean de Luz . Therefore, let me tell you the Maison de l’Infanta of Saint Jean de Luz !!! Hope you enjoy the post as I.

The Infanta of Spain, Maria Teresa, stayed at the house or Maison de l’Infante or maison Joanoenia ,located at 1 rue de l’Infanta in town. Built in 1640 by Joannot de Haraneder,a rich boat builder of noble titles given by king Louis XIII for his services in the siege of La Rochelle. The Infanta lived here while the marriage ceremonies were going on in June 1660.  You can visit the bedroom of the Infanta, the anteroom of the great hall with a decoration of the 17C, the monumental chimney in sculpture stones, heads of angels, richly sculpture beams decorated with mythical figures, fabolous monsters, exotic fruits and celestial constellations. The oratory along this grand hall has a great view over the harbor or Port et la Rhune, It has beautiful paintings of the school of Fontainebleau, now a private property,but visits arranged.

saint-jean-de-luz-house-of-infante-maria-teresa-of-spain aug08

From the story of Saint-Jean-de-Luz, starts from the history of France and Spain, an architectural jewel with its pink brick facade and its two Italian galleries with five arcades: it will not be necessary to say more , To recognize the Maison de l’Infante, among the most famous symbol in the City. A building with the facade, with monumental beams and chimneys ! Everyone knows this extraordinary Maison de l’Infanta or Joanoenia, dominating the port, with its towers, its pink brick and stone facades, The anteroom of the large living room known as the “Infanta Bedroom” conceals a large sculpted fireplace with crowned dolphins and 18C cherubs and a decor of beams from the Fontainebleau school, mythical monsters and exotic flowers. The oratory that extends the living room offers a remarkable view of the port and the Rhune. Above the door, you can read the inscription: “The infanta I received the year one thousand six hundred and sixty, I am called later the « Château de l’Infanta ».

This jewel welcomed the Spanish infanta, Maria Teresa, during her marriage to Louis XIV; The ceremony took place at the Saint-Jean-Baptiste Church on June 9, 1660. Later the house also hosted in 1701 the grandchildren of Louis XIV, the Duke of Burgundy and the Duke of Berry, who accompanied their brother, King Philippe V, in Madrid. In 1854, it was the turn of Napoleon III and Eugenie to stay there, She, of course Spanish Montijo from Belmonte Castilla La Mancha where I have visited the castle still in descendants hands and open to the public.

This is a private house and words ran in 2021 it was for sale no more news as yet but visiting on reduce hours and prior reservation. Still worth going by its history in the real thing of two countries.

The city of Saint Jean de Luz on its history/heritage: https://www.saintjeandeluz.fr/fr/votre-mairie/lhistoire-de-saint-jean-de-luz/

The Saint Jean de Luz tourist office  : https://www.saint-jean-de-luz.com/en/sit/maison-louis-xiv/

There you go folks, a bit more of my belle France and nice history of my dear Spain in basque country to boot! This is a vast territory call pays basque or Basque country covering both countries, Again, hope you enjoy the post on the Maison de l’Infanta of Saint Jean de Luz !!! as I.

And remember, happy travels, good health, and many cheers to all !!!

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Published by pedmar10

I am a lover of travels to Europe , Americas , Africa and Asia as well ,who like to share my experiences of the last 53 years with the world, visiting so far 81 countries; living in 6, working in 5, and Citizen of 4, speaking fluently 4 languages. I can deal with sports especially football/soccer and love music, arts, wine collector/drinker, and go out to restaurants, and just visit the world. My background comes all the way from Candelaria and Pajara in Tenerife, Spain where my grandparents came from ;not knowing each other then, to Punta Brava, west of Havana, Cuba. There , my parents born in Cuba met and later on I was born there too. 100% guanche (annexed Tenerife to Spain on April 10 ,1496). I left Cuba as many have to Madrid, Spain where I lived for 4 years. Then, move to Perth Amboy ,New Jersey USA (living there 13 yrs) ; where I completed high school, became a US Citizen, learned to drive a car, and learned English. Afterward, went to the university in Florida, ERAU, and upon graduation decided to moved there to Ormond by the Sea, near Daytona Beach, finally moving North Miami, then Hialeah, then another moved to Silver Lakes division in Miramar, Broward county, Florida; in Florida I lived a total of 18 years. Finally , moved to France in 2003 ,Versailles call me for its royalty, and working in Paris was great. It was time to seek frontiers again and moved to Brech near Auray, Morbihan in Brittany , and later move to not too far Pluvigner. Total so far in France has been 20 years, and counting. Moving average a home every 5.5 years hopefully this will be my last. Cheers All rights reserved. No part of this blog may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means or stored in a retrieval system of any nature, without the written permission of the copyright holder, me. No part of this work may be modified, without the written permission of the holder, me.No part of this work may be exposed to public view in any form or by any means, without identifying the holder as the author, and with the before mentioned permission.

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