Musée Basque

The Euskal museoa houses the most extensive collection concerning social life in the Northern Basque Country (Iparralde). It is located in the Maison Dagourette, a magnificent 17th-century port house. This architectural monument is inextricably linked to the history of Bayonne, is now a listed building, and has served as a worthy setting for the Basque Museum since 1924.

A House Full of Discoveries

The architecture of the building is impressive: around the large central light well, the Argialde, about twenty themed rooms span across three levels. These lead the visitor through the entire diversity of Basque culture—from the origins of the language and rural life to traditional crafts and significant maritime and river-based activities.

Between Trade and Conflicts

Bayonne's roots date back to the Gallo-Roman period. The city served as a fortress, a marketplace, and a coveted territory for Visigoths, Franks, and Normans. Thanks to its strategic location on the rivers and its proximity to Spain, Bayonne flourished through international trade and logistics, yet found itself repeatedly caught in geopolitical conflicts well into the 20th century.

A Living Culture

Despite all the conflicts, a strong, independent identity developed. The Basque language (Euskara) and deeply rooted traditions are not merely museum artifacts here, but part of daily life. The museum provides the perfect introduction to the self-image of the people in the Basque Country—a place to learn and understand.