I can assure you it still is, I met plenty of Basques when studying in Bordeaux, which is close.

I even met a guy - Patxi - from a remote mountain village, who only started to learn Spanish after he was 12.

Similar to Welsh and Irish, many speak it only as a second language or have only passive understanding (but might not admit it) - all of this depending on the location.

The Basque region on the Spanish side has also a certain degree of autonomy and is encouraging Basque curriculum in schools and university. And running several tv and radio stations.

see Basque language for more.