Lohobiague, which in basque means « from » or « at » Lohobiague, had it built for Joannis de Lohobiague, a rich shipowner and his wife, Marie-Sol de Hirigoyen, on some land running along a large esplanade used as the Town Square, near a wooden bridge leading to Ciboure.
This noble mansion has been built as a traditional basque mansion. However, it shows a pleasing and distinguished designing, according to the very classing style of this time, when harmony came from a well-proportioned symmetry.
The main frontage, built in stones, known as a Louis XIII frontage looks onto the Square.
The opposite frontage, facing South, with its two rows of stone-made columns, typical of Navarra, overlooks the harbour.
Only the second floor may be open to visitors.
This level is the noble part, where the Lord and the Lady of the House would live and were the reception rooms are found.
The setting has remained the same, carefully kept and maintained by the family who has been living here since this private mansion was built..
Both the decoration and the furniture equal the magnificent living and reception rooms that the second floor is made of.
The « Maison Louis XIV » is one of the very few mansions to have stood the test of time and men, in the XVIIth century.
Visiting it will give you a precise idea about the environment these families of rich shipowner from Saint-Jean de Luz lived in.