Espelette, Basque commune in Pyrénées-Atlantiques, France.
Espelette is a small French commune nestled in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques region, spreading across the Basque countryside. The village features traditional white-walled houses with red-tile roofs and narrow lanes that converge at the central square.
This settlement grew as a traditional farming community in the Basque region and retained its character over the centuries. The naturalist and missionary Armand David was born here in the early 1800s, later becoming known for his scientific work across Asia.
The Saint-Etienne church shapes the town's appearance with its Baroque interior and traditional Basque tombstones scattered across the cemetery. These elements reflect how religion and local identity remain woven into everyday life here.
The Wednesday market in the covered market hall offers locally produced goods and is the main shopping hub. The village is compact and easy to explore on foot, with walkable routes connecting all key areas.
The red peppers grown here and dried on house facades hold a protected agricultural designation. This distinctive drying practice displayed across building walls has become the village's most recognizable symbol for visitors.
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