Day Trip: L'Atelier du Piment

The AOC-controlled Espelette pepper is the only spice produced in France. In recent years, its mild heat and smoky-sweet flavor has made it a trendy ingredient in kitchens from Europe to the U.S. At the wonderful Atelier du Piment, you can meet the pepper farmers who turn these delicacies into a variety of products, from peppered fleur de sel to spicy dark chocolate.

Passionate owner Ramuntxo Pochelu runs this cooking atelier and farm, which is perfectly located for a lunch stop while exploring the Basque region (for the cooking demonstration and lunch, reservations are required). You will take a tour of the 17-acre property, seeing the pepper fields and learning about the harvest and production. Afterwards, don a bright-red apron and learn how to make a typical Basque dish, spiced with Espelette pepper, of course. Finally, guests are invited to sample cheese, charcuterie and some regional tapas, as well as taste Basque wines like Txakoli. There's also a lovely gift shop for regional products. Open daily 10am-6pm