Whether it’s a souvenir to keep for yourself or a small gift to give to friends or family, here’s a (non-exhaustive) list of typical gifts and souvenirs to slip into your suitcase during your camping vacation in the Basque Country!
A real Basque beret
If you can’t resist bringing back a souvenir that sets the tone for your trip, you’ll definitely want to pick up a traditional Basque beret. Formerly worn by Béarn shepherds and knitted from ewe’s wool, the famous felt beret is now available in a wide range of models, from the most classic to the most fashionable. Try it and you’ll love it! A good address? Founded in 1830, Laulhère, in Oloron-Sainte-Marie, is the last French manufacturer of the genuine Basque beret.
A pair of espadrilles
And not just any espadrille: espadrilles made in Mauléon-Licharre, THE espadrille capital of France! The star shoe of summer, rugged, chic and casual, the Basque espadrille is hand-sewn using 100% natural products: cotton canvas in a wide range of colors and a rubber-covered, woven jute sole. A timeless classic!
A game of Basque pelota
When you think of the Basque Country, you immediately think of pelota, the traditional game of jeu de paume in which players hit a ball against a wall. And what could be more typical than a leather pelota (made from buffalo or Oteiza pigskin) and a nice pair of wooden rackets (called palas and paletas)? As you wander around, you’re sure to come across a craft workshop where you can unearth that rare object, or a fronton where you can try out your new toy!
Basque linen
If you’re looking for a souvenir to brighten up your home, think Basque linen, for the house, table and bathroom. In the past, Basque linen was a linen cloth decorated with 7 colorful stripes (representing the 7 Basque provinces), used to protect oxen from heat and mosquitoes. Today, the art of Basque-style weaving comes in all its forms, and in cotton: tablecloths, towels, aprons, curtains, cushions, quilts, bags, pouches… In Espelette, Biarritz or Saint-Jean-de-Luz, the Lartigue family and the Tissage de Luz workshop have been perpetuating this heritage for over 100 years, combining creative craftsmanship and modernism. Now you’re in trouble!
Typically Basque local produce
Holidaymakers who want to pack a few flavours in their suitcases are spoilt for choice… While Espelette chilli pepper is certainly the best-seller, other gastronomic specialities are easy to find: Bayonne ham , veal axoa, Iberian dried pudding, Basque piperade, Ossau-Iraty cheese, Basque cherry cake, Aïnhoa gingerbread. .. And the list goes on and on. The list also includes Bayonne chocolate, Irouléguy red wines and Hasparren craft beers.
A souvenir with a Basque cross on it!
A strong emblem of the Basque Country, the Basque Cross, known as “lauburu” (four heads). This helix-shaped cross, formed by 4 comma-shaped branches, can be found everywhere: in jewelry (pendants, bracelets, earrings, rings, cufflinks, etc.), embroidered on a napkin, engraved on a shepherd’s knife (the famous Bakunadar) or a Makhila (the traditional walking stick), on Basque leather goods, magnets to decorate the fridge, the famous red scarves of the férias, and much, much more. In short, absolutely in-con-tour-nable!
