During your stay at our campsite in Espelette, be sure to discover one of the emblems of Basque craftsmanship: the espadrille. A few dozen kilometers from our campsite, immerse yourself in the history of this emblematic shoe by visiting the museum in Mauléon-Licharre, the historic capital of espadrille.
Discover the espadrille museum during your camping holiday
The history of espadrilles dates back to the early 12th century, when the King of Aragon’s foot soldiers wore espadrilles. However, it is difficult to determine the exact origin of this craft. Espadrille manufacture really began in the 18th century in Béarn and the Basque Country.
On the second floor of the Maison du Patrimoine in the souletine capital, come and discover our permanent exhibition retracing the history of the espadrille. This emblematic Mauléon-Licharre footwear item can be admired on a large scale on a traffic circle at the entrance to the town.
Old machines and tools used to make espadrilles, press articles and photos will be on hand to help you understand this industry.
After your visit, we invite you to visit the boutique of the Errecart family, creators of espadrilles for three generations, who combine craftsmanship and modernity. Our espadrilles, sewn using
The museum is open all year round, with opening times varying according to the season. The visit is free and lasts around 30 minutes, ideal for combining cultural discovery with a stroll through the narrow streets of Mauléon.
Opening hours
- 12/02 to 16/03: Monday to Friday: 9h30-12h30/14h00-17h30. Saturday: 9:00am-12:30pm.
- 08/04 to 29/06: Monday to Friday: 9:30-12:30/14:00-17:30. Saturday: 9h00-12h30.
- 01/07 to 25/08: Monday to Saturday: 9h30-12h30/14h00-18h00. Sunday: 10h00-13h00.
- 26/08 to 02/11: Monday to Friday: 9h00-12h30/14h00-17h30. Saturday: 9h00-12h30.
- 04/11 to 21/12: Saturdays: 9am-12.30pm.
- 23/12 to 31/12: Monday to Friday: 9h00-12h30/14h00-17h30. Saturday: 9:30am-12:30pm.
How do I get there?
From the station, turn right onto boulevard Gambetta. Continue along rue du Jeu de Paume and turn left at the traffic circle. Take the first left onto rue Jean-Baptiste Heugas.
Prepare
your excursion
How to prepare for your departure
from the campsite to the espadrille museum?
From our campsite near the Musée de l’Espadrille, here are a few tips for organizing your visit:
- wallet in pocket to snap up a pair of handcrafted espadrilles at the boutique
- comfortable shoes to extend your visit through the streets of Mauléon
- sun protection: bring a cap and a bottle of water, especially in summer.
- GPS or map for easy access to Mauléon from the campsite
The Musée de l’Espadrille promises an authentic immersion in Basque know-how, perfect for enriching your stay with heritage, craftsmanship and tradition.
