Espelette is a wonderful village in the French Basque country and Maylis' place is the perfect spot to enjoy the area from. It is brisk 10 minute walk into the town where there are numerous small boutiques with local products as well as restaurants, a few small hotels and the usual businesses (boulangerie, bucherie, fromagerie, etc.). We even discovered a small brewery on one of our walks and enjoyed a local brew by the small stream that runs through town. St. Jean de Luz is a short (10 mile) drive with an absolutely beautiful beach and more options for restaurants/nightlife/shopping. San Sebastian, across the border is about a 45 minute drive and very easy. Maylis' place is perfect and cozy with a very well equipped kitchen (we cooked a light dinner and breakfast). The rooms are cleverly decorated and there is a delightful covered patio that looks out over the pool area and the mountains. Our hosts were so charming and welcoming - they invited us to join them for a local aperitif on our second evening and we enjoyed talking with them immensely [as well as the "blue wine" :)] Our only regret was that we were at the end of our trip and could not spend more time in the area but we will definitely be back one day with our children as there is much to see and do in this part of France.