The Basque Country, Pays Basque, Euskal Herria, is located in the western Pyrénées mountains, straddling the border between France and Spain, meeting at the Atlantic Coast’s Bay of Biscay. Emerald landscapes, distinctly rugged mountains, precipitous shorelines and the rich heritage of the Basque, Euskaldunak, kept this area uniquely singular. Proudly independent, the Basque people, who are neither Spanish or French, have been living in this autonomous region since the earliest known modern man was discovered in France some 45,000 years ago.
Uncover the charms of slow travel in the Basque Country says Sue Aran of French Country Adventures. It’s a land where the day is long, and the culture is one of the oldest in the world.
St Jean de Luz
St. Jean de Luz is the most iconic fishing village in the Pays Basque. It has a working port where 10,000 tons of fish from over 100 varieties are caught each year, including tuna, sardine and anchovy. It was from this port that 15th century fishermen chased whales to the shores of Newfoundland. St. Jean de Luz has a lively old town center offering daily farmers’ markets, boutique shops selling Basque linens, berets and espadrilles, restaurants and cafés.
Espelette
Espelette is a small, colorful village nestled at the foot of the Mondarrain mountain, renowned for its famous Espelette pepper, which arrived from Mexico by New World explorers during the 16th century. Since then this lightly spicy, red pepper has been rooted in the traditions of rural life. When autumn comes the facades of houses are adorned with strings of peppers.
La Bastide Clairence
La Bastide Clairence was founded by the King of Navarre in 1314 and settled by the Gascons. The village church is distinguished by a unique courtyard cemetery paved with tombstones. In the 17th century, Portuguese Jews fleeing from the Spanish Inquisition arrived in the village bringing with them the art of making chocolate.
Bayonne
Bayonne is situated at the confluence of the Nive and the Adour Rivers in the French Pays Basque. The historic district of Grand Bayonne is characterized by its narrow medieval streets. Don’t miss the Gothic Saint Marie cathedral and its 13th century cloister. The Petit Bayonne district, is dedicated to the arts, crafts and traditions of the region. There are more than 3,000 objects on view at the Musée Basque. Bayonne is considered France’s first capital of chocolate.
Sare
Sare is one of Les Plus Beaux Villages de France. It is a tiny village tucked below the sacred Rhune mountain. Le Petit Train de la Rhune climbs 2, 970 feet above the village. From here you’ll have a spectacular 360 degree, unobstructed view of the Pyrénées, the Atlantic Ocean and the surrounding Basque Country.
Basque Corniche
The Basque Corniche, at the edge of the village of Urrugne, is one of the last protected areas on the French Pays Basque coast. Just a short drive from St. Jean de Luz and the village of Hendaye near the Spanish border, its steep cliffs, caves and famous rocks, The Twins”, have seen millions of years of planetary history.
Biarritz
Biarritz was once a Phoenician fishing port used to send goods to Britain, and whaling port until Napoléon III and his wife, Éugenie, established their summer court there. During the Belle Epoque, thousands of people visited glittering Biarritz by the sea. In 1918 Picasso arrived, followed by Hemingway in the 20s. Frank Sinatra arrived in the 1950s with Rita Hayworth and Marilyn Monroe. Hollywood embraced Biarritz as one of its glittering incognito getaways.
Donostia
Donostia, as San Sebastian is called in Basque, is a vibrantly blended traditional and modern city. It’s just ten minutes from the French border. Its circular bay is rimmed with a picturesque promenade and pristine white beaches. The city hosts the San Sebastian Film Festival and some of the most spectacular monumental art in all of Spain. San Sebastian is also recognized as having some of the best food in all of Europe with 18 Michelin-starred restaurants. While Pinxtos, Basque tapas, takes center stage here, the Basque cheesecake, can’t be overlooked. It’s a savory, decadent creation with a slightly burnt crust, which you can easily recreate at home.
If you want to feel like a local, and you’re craving a more authentic experience, one that leaves you with a feeling that you truly got to know the places, people and cultures that you’ve encountered, then without a doubt, the Basque Country is for you.
As they say in Basque, Saran Astia, we have time…
Sue Aran runs a 10-day Basque Country tour which takes in the most exquisite scenery and fabulous cuisine in this seldom traveled, southwestern corner of France, see details:
