Euskal Herria
Travel Notes
The Basque Country, known as Euskal Herria in the Basque language Euskara, is one of the most stunning regions of Europe. Inhabiting Northwestern Spain and Southwestern France, its landscapes extend inland from the beautiful Atlantic coast to verdant rolling hills to the impressive peaks of the Pyrenees mountains. Travelers are taken with the aristocratic architecture of Biarritz and the Basque houses that line the hills of the charming seaside villages Saint Jean du Luz and Hondarribia. At the same time relaxed and regal, all who visit are as in awe of the pounding surf at Mundaka as they are in awe of the culinary curiosities of Donostia-San Sebastián, where one will find the highest concentration of Michelin starred restaurants in the world.
Euro
Time Zone
Central European
Basque, Spanish, French
Local Cuisine
Basque, Spanish, French
Year-round
Dress Code
Chic Breezy Cottons, Espadrilles
WHERE TO STAY
HÔTEL DU PALAIS BIARRITZ
1 Avenue de l'Impératrice
64200 Biarritz, France
+33 05 59 41 64 00
CHÂTEAU D’URTUBIE
1 Rue Bernard de Coral
64122 Urrugne, France
+33 05 59 54 31 15
L’AUBERGE BASQUE
Vieille Route de Saint-Pée
64310 Saint-Pée-sur-Nivelle, France
+33 05 59 51 70 00
WHERE TO DINE
ARZAK
Avenida Alcalde Elósegui, 273
20015 Donostia-San Sebastián, Spain
+34 943 28 55 93
MARTIN BERASTEGUI
Loidi Kalea, 4
20160 Lasarte-Oria, Gipozkoa, Spain
+34 943 36 64 71
LES PYRENEES
19 Place Charles de Gaulle
64220 Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port, France
+ 33 05 59 37 01 01
TABERNA GANDARIAS
Calle 31 de Agosto 23
20003 Donostia-San Sebastián, Spain
+34 943 42 63 62
WHERE TO SHOP
JEAN-VIER
Avenue Eduoard VII
64200 Biarritz, France
+33 05 59 22 29 36
MAISON ADAM
6 Rue de la République
64500 Saint-Jean-de-Luz, France
+33 05 59 26 03 54
MAISON AROSTÉGUY
5 Avenue Victor Hugo
64200 Biarritz, France
+33 05 59 24 00 52
WHAT TO DO
SURF
Jo Mariaz Surf School
Plage de la Côte des Basques
64200 Biarritz, France
+33 06 62 76 17 24
Mundaka Surf Club
Portu Kalea
48360 Mundaka, Bizkaia, Spain
+34 619 96 85 72
SCENIC STROLLS
Hermitage De San Juan De Gaztelugatxe
San Juan de Gaztelugatxe, Spain
La Grande Plage
Biarritz, France
La Concha
Donostia-San Sebastián, Spain
SPA
Les Thermes de Salies-de-Béarn
Cours du Jardin Public
64270 Salies-de-Béarn, France
+33 05 59 38 10 11
La Ferme Thermale
334 Rue René Vielle
40320 Eugénie-les-Bains, France
+33 05 58 05 06 07
Cider Tasting
Lizeaga
Martutene Pasealekua, 139,
20014 San Sebastián, Spain
+34 943 46 82 90
The Objects
Exclusive Edition 003 BASQUE ESPARTINAK
These espartinak, or espadrilles as they are more commonly known, are made in the French Basque Country town of Mauléon by the artisan fabricant Jean-Jacques Houyou. One of six remaining ateliers in the own, Houyou has dedicated his workshop to the making of traditional espadrilles using the most simplistic materials and tools of the trade with the exception of one innovation. He uses natural citronella fragrance blended in with the rubber to dissuade insects from being attracted to the biodegradable materials that construct the shoes. Available only through Stories + Objects, the striped espadrilles come with a washed canvas duster bag to store the shoes in.
The Story
A Basque Atelier
Jean-Jacques Houyou is an artisan fabricant, or craftsman, making shoes in the French Basque Country. Just over five years ago, he made the decision to focus the twenty-six year old atelier solely on the making of traditional espadrilles. The shoes, fashioned from natural cotton, jute and rubber, are a style of footwear closely linked to his Basque ancestry. This style is recognized worldwide today, yet Houyou owns one of only a handful of ateliers in the region, continuing the tradition in hopes of preserving a culture of craftsmanship for future generations.
