Information AboutBasse-navarre |
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Basse-Navarre (''Nafarroa Beherea'' or ''Behe Nafarroa'' in Basque ) is a Former French Province , part of the present day Pyrénées Atlantiques '' Département ''. Along with Navarre of Spain , it was once ruled by the Kings Of Navarre . Basse-Navarre was historically one of the seven provinces of the Basque Country . Its capital was Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port (Donibane Garazi in Euskara). It is also known as '' Merindades de Ultrapuertos'' ("the regions beyond the mountain passes") by Navarrese irredentists. 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 wine, Irouléguy , 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 Lintel s in the villages of Ossès, Irisarry 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, Ewe s' 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. Dolmen s 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. |
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