In Larressore, three minutes from Espelette and a quarter hour from Bayonne, a door opens to one of the most beautiful art workshops in France. Since 1780, before the French Revolution, the Ainciart Bergara family has been making the makhila, a traditional Basque stick that is not only a walking object, but a symbol of honour.
Seven generations, one family, one place
The story begins with the Ainciart family, distaffiers in Larressore. Jean Ainciart (1862-1932), nicknamed Quillot, became the first to give the makhila his letters of nobility — he won the gold medal at the Paris Universal Exhibition in 1889. In 1926, his daughter Marie-Jeanne married Jean Bergara, and the two names now appear together on each play. Jean Bergara, in turn, won two silver medals at the 1937 Universal Exhibition, then the title of Meilleur Ouvrier de France in 1936.
Today, know-how continues to be passed on. Nicole Bergara continues the tradition. Her daughter Liza Bergara, trained in ornamental engraving at the École Boulle (Paris), joined the workshop in 2017 and now has a big coat of arms, initials and decor. Xavier Retegui, craftsman of the workshop, was appointed Master of Art by the Ministry of Culture in 2019, with a mission to pass on all his knowledge to Liza.
A know-how recognized by UNESCO
The workshop is included in the UNESCO inventory of rare art professions as part of the intangible cultural heritage, and labeled "Entreprise du Patrimoine Vivant" (EPV) over 100 years. Everything is done on site: selection of neflier wood (marked as it grows), leather work, metal shaping (breast, merchort, silver), engraving, assembly. Each makhila is unique, custom made, and can only be purchased in Larressore.
An object, exceptional recipients
It is difficult to mention all the personalities to whom a makhila Ainciart Bergara was offered, as the list is dizzying:

All Presidents of the Fifth Republic (from De Gaulle to Holland)
Ronald Reagan, Prince Philip, Pope John Paul II, Nelson Mandela
Charlie Chaplin, César, Jean Dujardin, Léon Zitrone, Gérard Klein
Helen Darroze, Chantal Thomass
Sports: Platini, Cantona, Lizarazu, Didier Deschamps, Teddy Thomas...

Part of this gallery is also visible in the workshop — a small living museum.
A visit not to be missed
The workshop is free of charge from Monday to Friday (and Saturday morning in season). It is present at the various stages of manufacturing, we observe the old established, the neflier rods during drying (a process that can take years), and we can even meet the artisans at work. A screening room completes the visit with a 33-minute film about the home's know-how.
For groups (15 pers. minimum), guided tours are offered by reservation (4 to 5 €/pers.) in French, Basque, English or Spanish.
Whether you're in the Basque Country or have lived there for a long time, the Ainciart Bergara workshop is one of those places you must have seen once — and probably ordered a makhila, one day, to offer it or to offer it.