Basque Country, a strong identity culture

Even before the region, it is the identity culture specific to the Basques that strikes. As in Corsica or Catalonia , the feeling of being Basque takes precedence over that of being French or Spanish. The Basque language is also one of the important components of this culture: the Spanish Basque country, it is an official language alongside Spanish and over 99% of students in this region straddling France and the Spain are enrolled in an ikastola , a Basque-French bilingual school. As in Brittany , the names given to the small Basques draw their origins in this land full of tradition. It is not unusual to see there Bixente , Patxi , Imanol or small Oihana , Elorri , Xana ...

Basque gastronomy, the mainstay of the region

Thanks to a geographical situation close to the ocean , there are many seafood products on the stalls of the Basque markets. Sheep milk cheese (we suggest you try the Azkorria, made by a group of breeders in Musculdy) and duck from the South-West are also honored. And, French and Spanish, the Pinxos (generous tapas) promise beautiful taste discoveries. We cook with duck fat in this corner of the country and obviously, we season its dishes with Espelette pepper , a condiment that is found also in any form in the small white and red Basque village of Espelette .

Discover the 10 most beautiful places in the Basque Country in our slideshow!