Biriatou Explained

Biriatou
Native Name:Biriatu
Commune Status:Commune
Image Coat Of Arms:Blason ville fr Biriatou (Pyrénées-Atlantiques).svg
Arrondissement:Bayonne
Canton:Hendaye-Côte Basque-Sud
Insee:64130
Postal Code:64700
Mayor:Solange Demarcq-Eguiguren[1]
Term:2020 - 2026
Intercommunality:CA Pays Basque
Coordinates:43.3342°N -1.7419°W
Elevation M:100
Elevation Min M:0
Elevation Max M:552
Area Km2:11.04

Biriatou (in French pronounced as /biʁjatu/; Basque: Biriatu)[2] is a village and a commune in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques department in southwestern France.[3] It is part of the traditional Basque province of Labourd.[2]

The village lies on the edge of a hill rising east to the minor mount Xoldokogaina (486 m), the first noticeable prominence across the Spanish-French border at the lower Bidasoa. The hiking trail GR 10 crosses the village, heading east through the southern side of Xoldokogaina.

European road carriers and travellers are acquainted with the name, Basque for 'gate/pass of the way' (bide + ate), on account of the border customs and toll at the AP-8 - A-63 motorway to the west of the actual village, often jammed with vehicles and long queues.

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Répertoire national des élus: les maires. data.gouv.fr, Plateforme ouverte des données publiques françaises. 13 September 2022. fr.
  2. https://aunamendi.eusko-ikaskuntza.eus/en/biriatu/ar-3679/ BIRIATU
  3. https://www.insee.fr/fr/metadonnees/cog/commune/COM64130-biriatou INSEE commune file