MERKO LACARRA
The story of a Basque family since 1965
The Merko Lacarra campsite opened its doors to its first holidaymakers in 1965. Behind this name lie rich, intergenerational stories—life stories that, step by step, have built one of the oldest tourist institutions in Saint-Jean-de-Luz.
60 years later, the Lacarra family still welcomes holidaymakers from all over the world to their land with the same passion.
From the Merkadoenia farm
to the Merko Lacarra campsite
19th century
In the 19th century, the Merkadoenia farm—named after the nearby beach, Anse Merkadoenia (now Mayarco Beach)—was run by Jean Lacarra and his wife Joséphine.
The land was used for market gardening, and the house served as a place of trade.
The building, as is often the case in the Basque Country, is a true foundation for the generations that would follow.
1930
In 1930, the last son of the Martin household and his wife Marie continued to work the land with the help of dairy cows.
Having had no children, in 1931 they adopted a young boy from Guéthary, Jean Baptiste.
He would devote part of his life to working in the fields alongside his adoptive parents.
1970
In 1970, J. Baptiste inherited the property and the land.
He was joined by Marie-Thérèse, who in 1978 formalized a clear transformation of this property into a true leisure destination.
First expansion from 30 to 75 pitches.
Then from 70 to 150 pitches in a second phase.
1999
In 1999, Marie-Hélène, representing the third generation of operators, took over the family business. Her husband Robert left his job in industry a few years later to join her and support her.
The establishment was awarded two additional stars.
With three stars, the campsite truly entered a new era.
Modern facilities and an eco-friendly approach are the watchwords of a project that remains authentic and close to people.
2025
Antton, who was born and raised at the campsite, represents the fourth generation. He has taken over the management of the establishment, carrying forward the original vision.
That is, welcoming people onto land that has traditionally been farmed, offering a people-first, mindful kind of tourism.
Across the generations, we have always worked hard to offer simple, authentic things.
Things that are part of this family’s DNA.
We have always felt like we were welcoming people into our home, opening the doors to our heritage, our house.
Driven by the same desire to pass things on and to respect the environment, we will continue to do so.
We are proud to have written a few chapters of this story.
Our story.
We hope that, with you by our side, we will write many more!
Lacarra family
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