Étienne Pellot "Montvieux", aka ''le Renard Basque'' (the

Basque Basque may refer to: * Basques, an ethnic group of Spain and France * Basque language, their language Places * Basque Country (greater region), the homeland of the Basque people with parts in both Spain and France * Basque Country (autonomous co ...

fox), (1 September 1765,

Hendaye Hendaye (Basque language, Basque: ''Hendaia'')HENDAIA
Auñamendi Encyclopedia, Auñamendi Eusko Entz ...

France France (), officially the French Republic ( ), is a country primarily located in Western Europe. It also comprises of Overseas France, overseas regions and territories in the Americas and the Atlantic Ocean, Atlantic, Pacific Ocean, Pac ...

– 1856, Hendaye), was the last known French

corsair A corsair is a privateer or pirate, especially: * Barbary corsair, Ottoman and Berber pirates and privateers operating from North Africa * French corsairs, privateers operating on behalf of the French crown Corsair may also refer to: Arts and ...

, renowned for his bravery and success. Some of his

ships A ship is a large watercraft that travels the world's oceans and other sufficiently deep waterways, carrying cargo or passengers, or in support of specialized missions, such as defense, research, and fishing. Ships are generally distinguished ...

, notably the ''Deux-Amis'' and the ''Général Augereau'', have gone down in corsair legend. He received the

Légion d'honneur The National Order of the Legion of Honour (french: Ordre national de la Légion d'honneur), formerly the Royal Order of the Legion of Honour ('), is the highest French order of merit, both military and civil. Established in 1802 by Napoleon ...

. Etienne Pellot died in

Hendaye Hendaye (Basque language, Basque: ''Hendaia'')HENDAIA
Auñamendi Encyclopedia, Auñamendi Eusko Entz ...

in 1856. Every January, children dress up as corsairs and parade the streets of Hendaye to celebrate the return of Étienne Pellot, the last Basque corsair.Hendaye · Saint-Vincent
"Le renard basque est de retour. Les enfants accueilleront le corsaire hendayais Étienne Pellot dans la liesse des fêtes."

Citations and references

citations References *Thierry Sandre, ''Le Corsaire Pellot - Qui Courut Pour Le Roi Pour La République Et Pour L'empereur Et Qui Était Basque'', La Renaissance du livre, 1932 ; Rééd. La Découvrance - juin 2005 *Pierre Darrigrand, ''Contradictions et erreurs sur les exploits du corsaire Pellot'' *J. Duvoisin, ''Le dernier des corsaires ou la vie d'Étienne Pellot-Montvieux de Hendaye'', 1856 {{DEFAULTSORT:Pellot, Etienne People from Hendaye French-Basque people French pirates Chevaliers of the Légion d'honneur 1765 births 1856 deaths