"We are not the last French maker but the last historic maker of the French beret," Saunders says with a twinkle in his eye. In Oloron-Sainte-Marie, France's "Basque Beret Capital", one company, the House of Laulhere, lays claim to being the oldest producer of the flat cap, turning them out for nearly 200 years. "The minerals in the Gave water give the Laulhere berets their feel, which you cannot achieve with tap water." Founded in 1858, it is the only Spanish company to make fine quality Basque berets. "Overseas, the beret is the emblem of France, synonymous with luxury and fashion," he says, noting that Monaco's Princess Charlene donned a Laulhere beret for her first public appearance after the birth of her twin girls two years ago.

Source: The Local August 07, 2016 05:26 UTC