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.

Currency
Euro

Time Zone
Central European
Language
Basque, Spanish, French

Local Cuisine
Basque, Spanish, French
Best time to visit
Year-round

Dress Code
Chic Breezy Cottons, Espadrilles
WHERE TO STAY
Sunset Ocean View At Hotel Du Palais Biarritz, France | Stories + Objects Virtual Travel Notes

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

Dining Signs In Basque Country France & Spain | Stories + Objects Travel Images
WHERE TO SHOP
Shopping In Euskal Herria France and Spain | Stories + Objects Travel Images

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

Ocean Surfing In Euskal Herria France & Spain | Stories + Objects Travel Images
Cider Tasting Room San Sebastian Spain | Stories + Objects Global Travel Magazine

Cider Tasting

Lizeaga
Martutene Pasealekua, 139,
20014 San Sebastián, Spain
+34 943 46 82 90

REQUIRED READING
Basque History Of The World Book By Mark Kurlansky | Stories + Objects Global Travel Tips

BY Mark Kurlanksy

PURCHASE

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.

Details

Handmade in the Mauléon atelier of the recently retired Basque shoemaker Jean-Jacques Houyou, these naturally constructed espartinak, or espadrilles in French, are fashioned from jute, cotton and rubber. This striped canvas design was notably worn by tileworkers, but reached iconic status due to early twentieth century artists and bons vivants who adopted the style.

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.