The 8 best workshops to do in the Basque Country • Wanderlix

The best workshops in the Basque Country: a diverse and exciting selection to discover the territory alongside its local artisans.

Land with multiple cultural, architectural and landscape attractions, the Basque Country is one of the favourite destinations of French and travellers around the world. Outdoor activities are followed by gourmet breaks and seaside pleasures.

But he has much more to discover: local artisans in love with their region and perpetuating unique and ancestral know-how. So, why don't you put your hand to their side for a few hours?

As a reward: you leave with a large smile, new skills and a personalized object. Here are the 8 best workshops to do in the Basque Country.

1. Metal

Here is a workshop in the Basque Country 6h , in Baucau precisely, who calls adventurers and lovers of rustic materials. The idea? Make your own blade knife for 330 € . The cutlery is a fine, meticulous and secret art: you will need no less than 6 hours to make your folding knife.

Of course, François guides you and shoulders you every step. This passionate, master craftsman in art crafts, initiates you to the precise gestures that rhythm the different stages: platins, blade, manufacture and adjustment of the spring, blade thickness, shaping of the handle, finishes and finally... sharpening.

Well, we're not gonna lie. You don’t want to go hunting in the forest with your custom knife but rather attack the country’s ham...

2. Drink

See you at Biarritz ! The coolest and cosmopolitan of Basque cities: everything like Sylvain. This passionate about wood and slip is today a shaper formator. In the Shaper House, you meet sports and craftsmanship of surfs and skateboards.

Fier de sa région tour vers les sports de slip, Sylvain finally set up his workshop in the Basque Country and invites you to make your own skateboard while 3h , all for 195 € . Pintail or mini cruiser, Sylvain will share all his secrets to shape a dream board.

After choosing your template, it will be necessary to cut it and then tightly stack a saw, sander and drill for your trucks and wheels. Then it will certainly be the best time of the day: the one where you decorate your board. Collage of the grip, colored sprays, dyed resins or varnish, customization has a limit only to your imagination.

3. Leather

Bidart, this beautiful city nestled between land and sea, authentic and warm, offers beautiful escapades. In its charming city centre, there is also the shop of Lucie, a master who values the diversity of materials and eco-responsibility in the textile world.

In her workshop in the Basque Country, she proposes to make your own handbag for 259 € . A unique and two-stroke moment: a little theory and a lot of practice: tracing, patronage, cutting and handling a cannon sewing machine. During 2h , Lucie you need to choose leather from a large palette of colors and materials.

Green fir, metal bronze, Italian daim: the best is to mix them together to create an absolutely unique and refined object. Once the last stitches, the leather returned, you can walk freely with your chic and trendy handbag (unless you find a lucky friend to offer it).

4. Gourmand

If there is one thing that puts everyone in agreement or almost: it’s chocolate! Few people resist this greedy that makes dopamine rates climb. So, pleasure guarantees Cyril! In his workshop in the Basque Country, this chocolate craftsman invites you to work cocoa beans and make your own chocolate tablet, all for 45 € .

In his gourmet universe, two hours Go in a second. He first teaches you the secrets of making the right chocolate before entrusting you the manettes of his workshop. Prepare the roast, peel and peel your beans.

Then make the conchage and moulding of the chocolate by mixing the ingredients with your tastes and desires. While your softness is crystallized and its aromas diffuse: place to an exclusive tasting of Cyril's chocolates! Um...

5. Urban agriculture

Who doesn’t know Espelette’s chili pepper? Discover this red gold, pimented and tasty, during workshops in the Basque Country entirely dedicated to agroforestry. Today, it is Stéphane who opens the doors of his organic production. Enter his fruit picker skin.

Many steps await you during these four hours workshop. First, identify the flowering stage and the maturity of the pepper according to its color and size. The specifications of the AOP Piment d’Espelette are rigorous! Then, place to manual work in the heart of the fields: wiring, planting, tutoring, manual weeding, bining, greenhouse storage, squeezing on clayette and last drying: the steps are thorough and exciting.

Of course, you do not leave the workshop without a pot of Espelette pepper with the most harmonious and authentic aromas. On the other hand, the collection of chills taking place at the end of August, it is necessary to visit the Basque lands at that time to carry out this activity. Stéphane offers this workshop at the price of 75 € .

6. Paper

Christine, engraver craftsman, perpetuates family traditions. She has always been passionate about art, architecture and creation, just like her parents artists were. Sensitive to the image and words, it is the engraving she chose to express her creativity.

She trains you on this favorite playground and experience. His workshop in the Basque Country is located in the middle of the village of Guéthary. During this activity, you try the engraving on a recycled ROM CD. Applied and concentrated, you draw your own blinks with your "dry tip" and according to your inspirations.

Then you choose the color of your encrage. You will see: to tame ink and colors is not so obvious! On the other hand, after 2:30 the final result is magical. For 30 € , Christine entrusts you two paper impressions at least of your engraved work as well as your CD.

7. Verre

Bayonne, the homeland of the iconic ham, nevertheless houses other wonders. Among them, one of the best workshops to do in the Basque Country! Mojgan, glass craftsman, proposes to make your own stained glass object 85 .

Everything rests on you: choose between a photophore or a vase, select your colors, cut the glasses, apply copper ribbons, weld, and finally apply a patina and antioxidant on welds.

After 3h You will be delighted by your creation, but also with the charm of the refined world of Mojgan which draws inspiration from its various practices (painting, calligraphy and digital arts) and its Iranian origins.

8. Vegetatal

Discover Céline’s poetic universe. Sensitive to nature and its wonders, it finds inspiration to create each of its fresh compositions as dry, floral crowns and art objects. It must be said that she lives in the Landes : this portion of coast so famous for its natural beauties.

An ambassador of authentic and seasonal craftsmanship, she will make an immense joy to share One hour thirty with you. During one of his workshops in the Basque Country, you learn the basics of floral art and compose your own creation, all for 40 € . Bouquet or crown: to you to see. In any case, Céline is there to need your choices and accompany you at each stage: swimming, superposition, assembly.