Étienne Pellot Aspikoeta (1765-1856), known as the Basque Fox (le Renard Basque in French), was the last known French corsair. He was imprisoned at least twice by the British, though much of his later activity was centered off the coast of Galicia. He was born and died in Hendaia.

• He first struck out on his own as a corsair, or privateer (an officially sanction pirate), in 1796, commanding the ship Le Filibustier. He had another 40 Basques under his command.
• He received the Legion of Honor in 1843, some 30 years after he retired. Napoleon had denied him this honor because he had refused to return to direct service to the State.
• Today, the children of Hendaia dress up every January to celebrate his return.