A guide to the Basque Country.  CHEAP FLIGHTS TO BARCELONA

The Basque country, situated in the South West corner of France in the Aquitaine region, is by far the wettest and most verdant part of the Pyrenees mountain range. The Bay of Biscay, an area which spans the border between France and Spain, has been occupied by the Basques since around 500AD. Despite gaining a certain amount of autonomy by resisting invasions for many centuries, the region officially became a part of France during the French Revolution.

 

The language spoken in the Basque country, Euskadi, is particularly unique, with little or no Latin influence, and bears little relation to any other known language. It is spoken as a first language by around a million people in France and Spain, although most of these people can speak at least one other language fluently. Signs in the region are written in both French and Euskadi, and sometimes just in Euskadi. If you see a sign that says ‘Hemen Euskadi emaiten dugu’ on a shop door, it means literally ‘Basque is spoken here’. There is a strong tradition of Basque literature, which began in 1545 with the printing of the first Basque-language book.

 

While you are there you may want to check out some of the more popular sporting attractions in the region. The top sports in the Basque Country are pelota and corrida. Pelota, also known as jai alai, is one of the fastest and most dangerous ball games in the world, and involves hitting a leather-clad hard ball with your hands or a basket-like extension against a wall at speeds of over 140 miles per hour. It is kind of like an extreme cross between squash and lacrosse, and players are often knocked out when the ball hits their head. Corrida is Spanish style bull-fighting, and fights take place about six times a year in Bayonne and St Jean de Luz.

 

There are two major towns in the Basque Country, Biarritz and Bayonne, both of which are around fifteen miles north of the border with Spain. Biarritz is a glamorous beach resort with a buzzing nightlife and fantastic facilities, while Bayonne, 4 miles inland, is considered the cultural capital of the region and is well worth a visit. There are plenty of pretty smaller towns as well, and St Jean de Luz is particularly popular with families due to its great beauty and quiet, laid-back atmosphere. The Basque country is easily accessible by plane, train, or car, and if you are looking to visit any time soon, the Monarch website has some great deals on holidays in the South West of France, as well as some good deals to northern Spain, just over the hills (see their site for cheap flights to Barcelona).

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