Visit the Basque Region in France

Julie Conover: In spite of our 21st century technology, historians are still unable to say exactly where the Basque culture originated.

Male: We don’t know where we came from. Basque people are so different. Since I’m not French, it’s not a Latin language.

Julie Conover: There are languages called Euskara was spoken in 6,000BC and is the only European language to survive the Roman conquest. It has endured the influence of other cultures and languages and even a period during the Franco Regime when its use was outlawed. The fact that it is still spoken today is extraordinary and so is a great deal about the Basque people.

Male: There was times you know that Basque people at the beginning [Foreign Language] by people coming from outside. The Basque culture was quite ordinal in the language. You know, the Basque people are - to Basque so they stick and they’re looking for their culture.

Julie Conover: They have been strong and courageous in their quest to preserve their ancient culture.

Mark Jennings: The rugged landscape of the Western Pyrenees allowed the Basque to live in isolation for thousands of years. The Basque country startles the order of France and Spain and contains lush valleys, quite mountain villages and park seaside resorts.

Julie Conover: The Basque coastal regions called the Côte Basque in French and Costa Vasca in Spanish extends from the cities of Bayonne and Biarritz in France to Bilbao in Spain.

Mark Jennings: Biarritz is on the Atlantic sea border of France and is a funky combination of surf town and old world wealth. The dramatic coastline and sea side promenade is a favorite spot for artist.

Male2: [Foreign Language], blue-gray, green, red, brown.

Julie Conover: At a short drive south along the coast brought us to the pleasant vast fishing port of Saint Jean De Luz.

Until the 1800s, it was base for a thriving, wailing and fishing industry.

Today the local fisherman supply sardines and shell fish and tuna, all important ingredients in a cuisine of the Basque coast.