Makhila Ainciart Bergara Artisanal manufacturer of Basque walking sticks in Larressore

Visit the oldest workshop for making makhila - traditional walking stick - in the Basque Country, in the small village of Larressore.

Centuries-old workbenches stand against the workshop windows. Here, artisans work with wood, leather, and metal. In the room to the left is the ornamental engraving workshop, housed in the former grocery store that adjoined the main workshop. Tools of all kinds are within easy reach: punches, hammers, needles, files, and so on. The makhila (traditional walking stick) is entirely handcrafted on-site. You can watch the artisans at work, observe their skill in punching the holes, discuss the makhila with them, and count the medlar branches drying on the upper part of the room.

In the main room, which is about ten square meters, you can discover the different models of makhilas, observe very old makhilas that belong to the family collection or scrutinize a gallery of photos of artists, politicians or sportsmen who have received a makhila made by the Ainciart Bergara workshop : Léon Zitrone, Chirac, General de Gaulle, Pope John Paul II, Nelson Mandela, Churchill, Platini, Cantona, Lizarazu - Basque origin obliges - and many others, including all the presidents of the Fifth Republic.

The Meilleur Ouvrier de France diploma awarded to Jean Bergara in 1936 is also hanging on the wall, as is the EPV label obtained in 2012.

An exhibition space opposite the workshop allows visitors to begin their visit and start their exploration.

The visit is free and open to individuals.

If you are a school, association, travel agency or tourism professional and would like to visit the workshop with a group of more than 10 people, please do not hesitate to contact us to reserve a time slot at 05 59 93 03 05. The visit costs €5 per person (excluding accompanying persons and drivers) and lasts approximately 1 hour.

The workshop is located in the village of Larressore, 15 minutes from Bayonne or Biarritz, and 3 minutes from Espelette. It opens onto the fronton square, on the main road that crosses the village.

Hours of operation :

• Monday to Friday, from 9am to 12pm and from 2pm to 6pm
• Open Saturday mornings from 9am to 12pm
• Closed on public holidays