Everything about Lower Navarre totally explained
Basse-Navarre (
Nafarroa Beherea or
Baxenabarre in
Basque) is a part of the present day
Pyrénées Atlantiques département of
France. Along with
Navarre of
Spain, it was once ruled by the
Kings of Navarre. Basse-Navarre was historically one of the kingdom of Navarre. Its capital were
Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port (Donibane Garazi in Basque) and
Saint-Palais (Donapaleu in Basque). In the extreme north there was the little sovereign principality of
Bidache.
Its extent is of 1,284 sq.km., and has a decreasing population of 44,450 (in 1901), 25,356 (in 1990).
Although this denomination isn't completely correct from the historical point of view, it's also known as
Merindad de Ultrapuertos ("the regions beyond the mountain passes") by the southerners, and
Deça-ports ("this side of the mountain passes") by the gascon-speakers.
Basse-Navarre is a collection of valleys in the foothills of the
Pyrenees. The Aldudes valley, around the town of
Saint-Étienne-de-Baïgorry in the south of Basse-Navarre, preserves many old traditions, with houses of pink
sandstone and contests of '
Force Basque', the games of strength. The
AOC Irouléguy wine is produced in the Aldudes.
The river
Nive rises in Basse-Navarre and flows through the province and on to
Bayonne, where it meets the
Adour. Beyond Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port itself, the Nive enters the
Ossès valley, with many beautiful old houses with carved
lintels in the villages of Ossès,
Irissarry and
Bidarray. A reserve for the
pottok, the wild Basque Pyrennean
pony, in the valley conserves this rare breed.
North of Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port is the Mixe region around the town of
Saint-Palais, a former Navarrese capital. Although close to
Béarn, Basque influence and traditions are strong.
Lower Navarrese is a
dialect of the
Basque language spoken in the region. Just south of Saint-Palais, the three principal routes to
Santiago de Compostela on the
Way of St James met at the hamlet of
Ostabat, bringing much wealth and trade to the area in
medieval times.
The Way of St James headed south from Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port towards the mountain pass above
Roncesvalles. Pilgrims travelled across the Cixe region of Basse-Navarre on their way to Navarre across the mountains. In these rolling hills,
ewes' milk
cheese,
pur brebis, is commonly made, including
Ossau-Iraty cheese. Villages like
Estérençuby and
Lecumberry are popular for agro-tourism and the
Iraty beech forest on the Spanish border is known for its views and history.
Dolmens and other
neolithic monuments dot the landscape, including the
Tour d'Urculu high in the mountains at 1,149m—a 2,000-year-old circular platform of huge stone blocks.
Further Information
Get more info on 'Lower Navarre'.
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