Makhila Ainciart Bergara

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

Three workbenches dating back several centuries are attached to the windows of the workshop. Craftsmen work there with wood, leather and metal. In the room on the left, is the ornamental engraving workshop, installed in the old grocery store which adjoined the workshop. Tools of all types are at hand: punches, hammers, needles, files, etc. The makhila is entirely made on site. You will be able to see the craftsmen working, observe their dexterity in the punching, exchange with them on the makhila and count the stems of loquat being dried on the upper part of the piece.

In the main room, which is about ten square meters, you can discover the different models of makhilas, observe very old makhilas which belong to the family collection or even scrutinize a photo gallery of artists, politicians or sportsmen who have received a makhila made by the Ainciart Bergara workshop: Léon Zitrone, Chirac, General de Gaulle, Pope Jean-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 obtained in 1936 by Jean Bergara also hangs on the wall. As well as the EPV label obtained in 2011.

Mini-exhibitions are organized regularly in the barn opposite the workshop. The themes vary according to the seasons and the news.

The visit is free and free for individuals.

If you are a school, an association, a travel agency or a tourism actor and you wish to visit the workshop with a group of more than 15 people, do not hesitate to contact us to reserve a time slot. on 05 59 93 03 05. The visit costs €2 per person (except accompanying person and driver) 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 Place du Fronton, on the main road that crosses the village.

HOURS OF OPERATION:

The workshop is open from Monday to Friday, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m., on Saturday all year round from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and from April to December from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.