Écomusée de la Pelote et du Xistera Pilotari
Ecomuseum in Saint-Pée-sur-Nivelle on Basque pelota and the making of the xistera, in the Donamartia house, with a large-screen projection.
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About the museum
The ecomuseum is housed in the Donamartia house in the centre of Saint-Pée-sur-Nivelle, inside the tourist office, near the municipal fronton. It is presented as the only pelota museum in France and tells the story of Basque pelota and the invention of the xistera, from their origins to the present day.
The visit lasts about 45 minutes. It begins with the origins of pelota, the different implements and how they are made. It then passes along a dark corridor recreating a trinquet tambour, and continues to tiered seating facing a giant screen showing several varieties of Basque pelota. The last room brings together explanatory panels, models and interactive audiovisual terminals, along with the great champions.
Highlights
- Making of a xistera and a pelota, explained step by step
- Corridor recreating a trinquet tambour
- Giant-screen projection of Basque pelota matches
- Models and interactive terminals in the last room
- Sound and light visit of about 45 minutes
Permanent exhibition
- Parcours permanent sur la pelote basque et le xistera – From the origins of pelota and the making of its implements to the great champions, with a reconstructed trinquet tambour and a film on a giant screen.
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €5 |
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| Reduced | €2.50Children aged 5 to 12, students, people with disabilities, job seekers, recipients of the RSA (French minimum income). |
| Children & teens | €2.50free up to age 4 · Reduced rate for children aged 5 to 12. |
| Visitors with disabilities | €2.50 |
| Students & apprentices | €2.50 |
| Groups (20+ people) | –Groups of 20 people or more are welcome. |
Free for children under 5. Payment by card, cheque, Chèques-Vacances, cash and eusko.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom: no information
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome: no information
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
The site is listed as accessible to people with reduced mobility, and carries the markers for motor, intellectual and visual disability.
Kids & families
| Time needed | approx. 45 min |
|---|---|
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 4 |
- Hands-on stations
- Stroller-friendly
Stroller-accessible. Interactive terminals and a large-screen film are part of the route.
Getting there & parking
By car
Coach parking.
The ecomuseum is in the centre of the village, near the municipal fronton, inside the tourist office.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Good to know | Self-guided visit, individual or group. Languages listed: French, Basque and Spanish. |
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