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The Basque Country is a very proud region of France, and much like Brittany in Northern France, has it's own language and tradition, that ties into Celtic roots, not nearly as obvious as those shown in Brittany. The Basque people are a proud nation, proud of their language, their way of life, and their seemingly independent nature as a country apart from France.

High in the hills between Spain and France, the Basque country is shared by both Spanish and French alike, and the patois of the accents though changing a little between countries does share that same lilt that makes this a very individual part of the country. In order to appreciate the history and indeed the independence, one needs to understand a little more about the politics of the place and the existence of the movement that fights even today for independence and pride of place in their own right, rather than belonging to either Spain or France. This is a strong pride and one also shared by Brittany in the North of France, though here really is alive and kicking for freedom and the right to be called Basque rather than French.

The region offers some of the most spectacular scenery seen in France, and the distant mountains, and green nature of this part of the world makes it ideal for the following types of holiday:

*Walking and photography
*Cycling
*Nature trails
*Adventure holidays
*Gourmand holidays

Walking and cycling are exciting in this part of France. Bike hire is easily found and reasonable in price, and the areas where the tourist can stop for refreshment countless. Contrary to other beliefs, The locals do like their wine, though savor the taste and certainly do not drink it by the pint. Home brews in this area are well known and recipes for Picon Punch kept secret within families, though the hospitality offered to visitors is superb. The advantage of this area over it's counterpart Brittany is that it lies much further South and has much warmer weather.

St Jean de Luz is one of the towns worthy of a visit and offers the tourist a step back in time. Here shops display notices declaring that they speak in Basque as well as French, a reminder of their pride. The River Nivelle which runs through St Jean offers picnic areas, and natural beauty, as well as access to local golf courses, which run through picturesque valleys.

St Jean pied de Port can be reached by road or train from Bayonne and is a market town where ambiance of local activity can be soaked in. Pelotes and Boules are popular games here and it is not uncommon to find games being played, and tourists encouraged to join in and have a try.

The gastronomical delights of the region are out there for the tourist to try, and on the French side of the Basque country differ from the traditional tappas of the Spanish side to rich menus of seafood, and a wonderfully wide range of cheeses. The main thing to remember is that similar to the Bretons in Brittany, the Basques are hard workers and the food extremely home based, fresh and exceedingly generous.

One of the delights not to miss while in the French Basque region is the song because there does seem to be a very strong link between mountain regions and song, and the folkloric songs of this region tell stories that have passed through generation after generation.

This area of France is rich and lush, and there is much to see, and can be combined with a trip through to the Spanish part of the Basque country without which the Basque experience can never be a complete one.

Bon voyage !

Learn more about this author, Rachelle de Bretagne.
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