DISCOVER THE BASQUE COUNTRY

Seignosse is very close to the Basque Country. You can easily visit it on a day trip. Bayonne is only a 35-minute drive away via the motorway, and can be reached by bus or train on regular services. To explore the other towns along the Basque coast or the villages further inland, a car is recommended. If you fancy spending a day in Spain, Hondarribia or San Sebastián are less than an hour’s drive away.

BAYONNE, the gateway to the Basque Country

Did you know that Bayonne was once part of Gascony and the Basque Country? From this rich, multicultural past has emerged a city brimming with charm, whose residents are deeply attached to their traditions. It is also the capital of chocolate, with its many chocolatiers who keep the tradition alive. Don’t miss the themed guided tours organised by the Bayonne Tourist Office; they take place all year round. Bayonne is also a ‘City of Art and History’, and is renowned for its ham, its festivals and its constant buzz of activity. The rivers Nive and Adour encircle the city centre, which is divided into two districts:

Grand Bayonne, with the market halls, shops and the cathedral
Petit Bayonne, with the Basque Museum, the Bonnat Museum, the characteristic narrow streets and the market stalls

As the town is best explored on foot, we recommend setting aside half a day for your visit – and a little longer if you wish to visit the Basque Museum or the Bonnat Museum – before continuing on to the villages further inland.

BIARRITZ, ST JEAN DE LUZ AND THE COAST

Biarritz, with its rich architectural heritage and history, became an imperial city thanks to Empress Eugénie and Napoleon III, who stayed there on numerous occasions and gave the town its unique and magnificent architectural character. We recommend taking a stroll along the coast from the lighthouse, passing by must-see sights such as the Hôtel du Palais, the Grande Plage, the Church of Sainte-Eugénie, the Port des Pêcheurs, the Rocher de la Vierge, the Port Vieux and finally on to the Côte des Basques, the beach where the history of surfing began in Biarritz. A visit to the Musée de la Mer and the Cité de l’Océan is a must for families.

The charming towns of Guéthary and Bidart make for a lovely stop-off on the way to Saint-Jean-de-Luz and its famous fishing harbour. The coastal path, which links Bidart to Saint-Jean-de-Luz, can be walked, offering splendid views of the ocean.

THE BASQUE VILLAGES

Exploring the Basque villages inland is a feast for the eyes: the lush green hills, the colourful façades of the houses, and the village centres with their traditional Basque pelota frontons. Here are a few must-see destinations to help you escape the everyday:

Cambo-les-Bains, a spa town and ‘green city’ home to the splendid Villa Arnaga, the former residence of the poet Edmond Rostand. This is the must-see museum-garden in the Basque Country
Itxassou, at the foot of Mount Mondarrain, is a charming little village renowned for its cherry orchards and sheep’s-milk cheeses
Espelette, with its strings of red chillies drying in the sun and adorning the façades of the houses
Ainhoa and its quintessential main street with its colourful half-timbered houses
Sare, with its famous Train de la Rhune, also renowned for its Basque cake shop and the tour of its caves

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FONTARRABIE AND SAN SEBASTIAN

As you’re so close to Spain, you’ll no doubt want to spend a day there, especially as nearby you’ll find: Fontarrabie, the town on the border with Hendaye, and above all San Sebastián, the capital of the Spanish Basque Country.

We recommend taking the little river shuttle to Fontarrabie, which departs from Hendaye Harbour; ten minutes later, you’ll be sitting at a terrace table enjoying some ‘pintxos’.

The best way to visit San Sebastián is to take the Euskotren, colloquially known as the “Topo”. It departs from Hendaye station and takes you to the heart of the city centre in 40 minutes. A 20-minute walk takes you to the famous “Concha”, one of the most beautiful bays in the world, where a world fireworks championship is held every year. You’ll lose yourself in the bustling alleyways of the historic centre and can even enjoy a panoramic view of the city from Monte Igueldo. In San Sebastián, the art of living revolves around getting together in the multitude of tapas bars.