Récollets Convent: 400 years of history
The Récollets Convent, which has witnessed four hundred years of history, is intimately linked to the destiny of Saint-Jean-de-Luz and Ciboure.
- At the start of the 17th century, the territory of Saint-Jean-de-Luz and Ciboure saw many disruptions. Tensions focussed on witchcraft trials, which deeply divided the population.
- In 1611, the Recollect friars, who originated from the Franciscan order, settled down in the middle of the harbour on an undeveloped island and set out to reestablish the peace between the inhabitants.
- In 1791, during the French Revolution, the Recollect friars were expelled from their convent. The convent was subsequently used as barracks, a prison and a fodder shop.
- In 1821, the cloister started to be used as a local customs office and remained in this use until 2007. As for the chapel, from 1900 until 1975, it was used as a salting factory.
- In 2021, the old convent was registered as a historical monument and, as such, was restored to create the future CIAP (Centre for the Interpretation of Architecture and Heritage).
- In 2023, the CIAP Les Récollets was opened. Visitors can rediscover the richness of this four-hundred-year-old site, including the chapel and the old convent buildings.
The story of the renovation of the convent
In 2016, as soon as the Association of Communes of the bay of Saint-Jean-de-Luz and Ciboure obtained the label “Pays d’art et d’histoire” (“Land of Art and History”, awarded by the French Ministry of Culture), the project for the creation of a CIAP (Centre for the Interpretation of Architecture and Heritage) inside the old Récollets Convent was launched. The Arc&Sites (Architectes, Patrimoine et Création) agency was chosen, following a competition based on sketches, to manage the first ever restoration project of this site.
Two years of restoration work
From 2021, the restoration works started under the guidance of Rémi Desalbres, an architectural conservator from the Arc&Sites agency, alongside specialists from the restoration trade.
For two years, the old Récollets Convent was the subject of major restoration and extension work as follows:
- Reopening of part of the cloister
- Refurbishment of the roofs, restoration of the chapel and of the convent buildings
- Rediscovery and restoration of the painted decorations
- Fitting of the stained glass in the chapel
- Creation of the bell wall and hanging of the Bakea bell
- Creation of a contemporary building for the Reception Area of the CIAP
Nowadays, the site houses the CIAP Les Récollets over an area of more than 1000 m2, which includes exhibitions for all types of publics.
For more information on the story of this renovation, we suggest that you immerse yourself in this unprecedented adventure by clicking on the links below.
Berregin, retour sur le chantier.
These videos recount the major stages of the restoration works.