Basque fragrance
Espelette, a village in the Basque Country near the campsite
Just 30 minutes from our campsite in the Basque Country, discover Espelette as you venture inland. This charming village in the Nivelle valley has all the trappings of a traditional Basque village: a pediment, Labourdin-style houses with white facades embellished with red or green half-timbering, and a picturesque town center that’s a joy to stroll through.
Tourism in Espelette attracts thousands of visitors every year to discover this village, world-famous for its chilli pepper.
Ezpeleta family
Symbol of Basque culture and gastronomy
Founded by the noble Ezpeleta family, whose castle still dominates the town center, Espelette truly represents the Basque village as one might imagine it. The warm, sunny atmosphere invites you to take your time, sitting outside on one of the cafés or enjoying lunch in one of the traditional restaurants.
Espelette pepper, a spice from America
The Espelette chilli pepper (Ezpeletako Biperra in Basque) is undoubtedly the village’s gastronomic emblem. Introduced to the Basque country in the XVIᵉ century by Spanish explorers returning from the Americas, this pepper quickly became an essential ingredient in local cuisine. The first mention of a pimento in Espelette dates back to 1650, when women began growing it as a substitute for pepper, which was too expensive at the time.
A visit to Espelette means discovering this condiment in all its forms. From late summer onwards, the façades of the houses are adorned with garlands of red peppers left to dry in the sun, offering a colorful spectacle. This tradition, both aesthetic and practical, lends the village a unique charm. Chillies come in three forms: whole and fresh, in ropes of 20 to 100 chillies, or ground into a powder to spice up any dish.
Mild and fruity, piment d’Espelette can replace pepper and adds delicate color to cooking without masking flavor. Low in calories, it’s also an antioxidant rich in vitamin C. Since 2000, it has benefited from a Protected Designation of Origin (PDO), the only French spice to hold this label. The production area covers ten communes: Espelette, Ainhoa, Cambo-les-Bains, Itxassou, Halsou, Larressore, Saint-Pée-sur-Nivelle, Souraïde, Ustaritz and Jatxou. More than two hundred growers cultivate this spice, which has become the flagship product of the Basque Country.
To discover Espelette and the secrets of pimento peppers, don’t miss the Centre d’interprétation du Piment (Etxea), located in the heart of the village. Here you can learn about the origins of the spice, its terroir, its life cycle and the work of the men and women who grow it.
Heritage and places to discover
The Château des Barons d’Ezpeleta sits at the center of the village. Built around the year 1000, then rebuilt around 1414 under English rule, it comprised a vast enclosure flanked by five towers.
Partially destroyed during a villager’s revolt under the reign of Louis XIII, it was bequeathed to the commune in 1694 by the family’s last descendant.
Restored with support from the Fondation du Patrimoine, the building now houses the town hall, tourist office and exhibition rooms, including one dedicated to Father Armand David, the eminent missionary and naturalist who introduced the panda to the Western world.
Just outside the village stands thefortified church of Saint-Étienne, built in the 17th century. This religious building is distinguished by its typically Basque architecture, its bell-wall and its three levels of carved wooden galleries. Inside, admire the sumptuous 18th-century Baroque altarpiece in gilded wood.
The church is surrounded by a tree-lined cemetery featuring the discoidal stelae typical of Basque burial traditions. Don’t miss the Centre d’interprétation de l’AOP Ossau-Iraty, located in the heart of the village. This fun and informative tour will enable you to learn more about this emblematic sheep’s milk cheese from the Basque country, another gastronomic pride of the region.
gourmet specialties
Market and gourmet specialties
Numerous stores line the narrow streets of Espelette, offering everything from chilli peppers to other Basque culinary specialities and crafts. Ewe’s milk cheeses, Basque cakes, charcuterie, honey, jams and chocolates with Espelette chilli pepper will delight gourmets.
The combination of chocolate and chilli pepper may seem daring, but it’s actually the oldest: as early as the 17th century, chocolate made in Bayonne was spiced up with Espelette chilli pepper!
A large market featuring local producers and craftsmen is held every Wednesday in the village center. It’s an unmissable opportunity to discover local flavors and meet passionate producers. The market is divided into two sections: a food area where you’ll find all the local produce, and a non-food area offering clothes, crafts and souvenirs.
Festivals and entertainment
On the last weekend in October, Espelette celebrates the chili harvest with the Fête du Piment, which has become one of the Basque Country’s major festivals. Thousands of visitors flock to take part in the entertainment: Basque dances, male choir concerts, lively meals, demonstrations of Basque strength and pelota games.
A mass is held in the church of Saint-Étienne to bless the year’s condiments, a highlight of local tradition. The village fêtes take place at the beginning of August, with an equally copious program. Other highlights include the Gauargi world dance festival and the Crêtes pedestrian race, both of which attract sports enthusiasts and the curious.
Hiking and nature
Hiking enthusiasts will find plenty to do around Espelette. The Ursuya mountain, 678 metres above sea level, dominates the village and offers magnificent views over the Nivelle valley and the Pyrenees.
Easily recognizable with its large boulders at the summit, it’s a famous hiking spot. Other signposted trails allow you to explore the verdant landscapes of the Basque hinterland, between hills and fields of glowing peppers.
