another pretty street

Espelette (Labourd, French Basque Country - Aquitaine), France

red and white

Espelette (Labourd, French Basque Country - Aquitaine), France

So many houses and shops have peppers hanging from them!

change

Sare (Labourd, French Basque Country - Aquitaine), France

heaven

Guéthary (Labourd, French Basque Country - Aquitaine), France

This was just two weeks ago!  The weather has changed a bit since!

 

local architecture

Ainhoa (Labourd, French Basque Country - Aquitaine), France

Less than three kilometers from the border with Spain, this quaint little village in the heart of the French Basque Country, with a population of less than 700 people, is a perfect example of the typical Basque architecture of the area.  Many of these buildings were rebuilt in the 17th century due to the fact that the original were destroyed in the 30 Years War.

French countryside

Ainhoa (Labourd, French Basque Country - Aquitaine), France

Peeking out behind this rolling countryside is the 13th century Church of our Lady of the Assumption located in the village of Ainhoa.

 

peppers galore

Espelette (Labourd, French Basque Country - Aquitaine), France

Houses and shops alike are covered with this regional delight.

regional delights

Espelette (Labourd, French Basque Country - Aquitaine), France

So many kinds of cheese...

dried peppers everywhere

Espelette (Labourd, French Basque Country - Aquitaine), France

Espelette, in the heart of the French Basque Country, is known for its dried red peppers.  The traditional red and white houses of this region are covered with these peppers hanging out to dry, creating quite a spectacle for anyone who visits.

quaint hilltop village

Sare (Labourd, French Basque Country - Aquitaine), France

The 17th century Church of Saint Martin sits in the center of this quaint Basque hilltop village set amid pastoral fields with cows and sheep grazing everywhere.

November beach days

Guéthary (Labourd, French Basque Country - Aquitaine), France

A day at the beach in November...

room with a view

Guéthary (Labourd, French Basque Country - Aquitaine), France

The picture is a little crooked, but all the same, what a view!