For those with money to pay there were Bayonne ham and pat6 Strasbourg studded with truffles.

This came with generous slices of excellent Bayonne ham, which, my waiter explained, had been seasoned daily with espelette pepper, giving it a spicy kick.

Bayonne ham bears some resemblance to prosciutto, and is in fact made by a similar method.

But Bayonne ham is earthier and meatier tasting than its Italian cousin, with less discernible salt.

Following them the family of Jean-Ninon Larrouy bought the property; their wealth was based on trading the famous Bayonne ham.

Espelette is known for its dried red peppers, used whole or ground to a hot powder, used in the production of Bayonne ham.

Bayonne is known for its fine chocolates, produced in the town for 500 years, and Bayonne ham, a cured ham seasoned with peppers from nearby Espelette.

After numerous puns on the word "Pau" (another stop on the players' tour), the work ends with a reprise of the song in praise of Bayonne ham:

Opened in 1931, the restaurant has always served traditional Basque fare, including Bayonne ham, herbed vegetable soups and a rare salmon from the Adour River in spring.

It is usually darker and saltier than Bayonne ham and cut in thicker slices when served.