Soule

Soule, also known as Zuberoa in Basque, is one of the traditional Basque provinces that form the French Basque Country. It occupies the western part of the Basque region within the Pyrénées-Atlantiques department of the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region in France. It is bordered to the north by Labourd, to the east by Lower Navarre, and to the south and west by Béarn.

Geography and population: The landscape is mountainous and hilly, with valleys carved by streams that descend from the Pyrenees. The economy has historically centered on agriculture and pastoral farming, with small-scale industry in towns. The main towns include Mauléon-Licharre, the historical capital, and Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port, a major gateway on the route to Santiago de Compostela. The Souletin or Zuberoan dialect of Basque is spoken by a portion of the population, alongside French.

History and culture: Soule has a longstanding Basque cultural identity and was a distinct political entity within the medieval Kingdom of Navarre. It became part of the French crown under the Treaty of the Pyrenees in 1659. The region preserves Basque traditions in music, dance, pelota, and rural markets, and is noted for its traditional architecture and festivals. Local agricultural products include Ossau-Iraty sheep cheese, produced across the Basque-Béarn area.

Administrative status: Today Soule is part of the Pyrénées-Atlantiques department and is recognized as a traditional Basque province within the French Basque Country. In Basque usage it is referred to as Zuberoa.