The Basque Country has been making chocolate since the 17th century — Sephardic Jews fleeing the Spanish Inquisition brought cacao preparation techniques to Bayonne (10km from Biarritz), making it the first place in France to produce chocolate. Maison Pariès (founded 1895), Cazenave, and Daranatz continue the tradition, and the local mouchous (chocolate-filled Basque pastries) are the region's signature sweet.
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Bayonne was the first place in France to produce chocolate
Sephardic Jews brought chocolate-making techniques to Bayonne
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Avenue de Biarritz, Bidart, 64200, France
