Gure ezinbesteko lekuak
Discover our must-haves
Head for the Atlantic coast for a breath of ocean air.
In a nutshell:
Bayonne (25 minutes from Cambo-les-Bains),
Biarritz (30 minutes from Cambo-les-Bains),
Anglet (25 minutes from Cambo-les-Bains),
Bidart (30 minutes from Cambo-les-Bains),
Saint-Jean-de-Luz (40 minutes from Cambo-les-Bains),
Domaine Abbadia in Hendaye (40 minutes from Cambo-les-Bains).
Bayonne
What we love about Bayonne is undoubtedly its authenticity … the strong character of our capital, its medieval streets, its Vauban ramparts, its UNESCO World Heritage Cathedral, its succulent ham, but also its people!
Bayonne’s history dates back to antiquity, when the Romans set up a camp here, which they named Lapurdum. It wasn’t until the 10th century that the town was named Baiona (“good river” in Basque).
Today, the center of Bayonne is divided into two historic districts: Grand Bayonne around the cathedral and Petit Bayonne on the right bank of the Nive. Whether you’re a shopper or a gourmet, you’ll enjoy strolling through the shopping streets, which are full of good addresses.
There’s also a third district on the other side of the Adour, Saint-Esprit, which has undergone a veritable renaissance in recent years, and is now packed with little shops not to be missed. Lovers of thrift shops will find what they’re looking for on Rue Sainte-Catherine. In terms of history, it was here that Portuguese and Spanish Jews fleeing the Inquisition in the 16th century settled. So it’s not surprising to find a synagogue and a museum of Judaism here.
Nowhere else 
Classified as a historic monument in 1991, the Musée Basque has undergone extensive restoration, and since 2001 has housed the largest ethnographic museum in the Basque country, with 2,000 objects and works of art testifying to Basque identity and traditions. www.musee-basque.com
To discover Bayonne and its secret corners in a different way, we recommend a guided tour of the Labourdine capital. There’s something for everyone! TheBayonne Tourist Officeand its tour guides offer a rich and varied program of visits throughout the year.
Biarritz
This renowned seaside resort will charm you with its richly varied architecture. In Biarritz, Art Deco buildings like the casino, imposing mansions like the Villa Eugénie and sumptuous villas like the Villa Belza all coexist.
The beauty of its coastline is unquestionable, but whether you’re strolling to the Rocher de la Vierge or watching surfers practicing on the Basque coast, you’ll always appreciate it.
Biarritz is also a shopper’s paradise. Elegant streets abound with chic boutiques, artisan workshops and art galleries, creating a unique blend of tradition and modernity.
The atmosphere in the fishermen’s port is quite different. Small houses with colorful shutters line a fishing port, forming a veritable village within the city. At the beginning of the 20th century, there were 300 professional fishermen in the port.
Today, it’s a favorite spot for lovers of fresh fish, since in season you can sit along the harbor and enjoy grilled fish.
Nowhere else
Built in 1864 at the request of Eugénie de Montijo, wife of Napoleon III, Biarritz’s charming imperial chapel is a harmonious blend of Byzantine Romanesque and Hispano-Moorish styles. Dedicated to the black Mexican Virgin Our Lady of Guadalupe, it was listed as a historic monument in 1981. The Chapelle Impériale is open to the public only on guided tours organized by theTourist Office.
Anglet
Stretches of sand, water as far as the eye can see, a sunset, surfers, music and a drink in hand! It’s high time to discover what’s known as “Little California”.
For a relaxing stroll, head for the Chambre d’Amour promenade. Lined with cafés, restaurants and boutiques, it’s the ideal place to stroll and enjoy the breathtaking ocean views.
Neighboring Biarritz, Anglet boasts a dozen beaches along 4.5 km of coastline. To accompany these sandy stretches, you’ll find almost the same number ofsurf schools! Its renowned waves attract surfers from all over the world. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned surfer, Anglet’s spots offer ideal conditions for surfing the ocean.
As well as being a surfer’s paradise, Anglet also boasts a 250-hectare wooded area just a stone’s throw from the beaches, formed by the Lazaret and Pignada forests. Often referred to as “Chiberta” after the neighboring neighborhood, this shady, landscaped forest area is an ideal playground for a variety of audiences. Nature lovers wishing to discover the local flora and fauna, as well as sports enthusiasts in search of leisure activities, will find everything they need here.
Nowhere else
Hop on a bike and enjoy the city’s 20 km of cycle paths! Walk along the seafront on the Boulevard des Beaches and the Promenade des Falaises, take advantage of the Greenways to discover the Pignada and Lazaret forests, or stroll along the flatter trails on the banks of the Adour and Nive rivers!
For those wishing to stroll along while gazing out over the ocean, the Promenade Littorale is a 4.5km-long path running the length of the beaches from La Barre to La Chambre d’amour.
Bidart
Until 1633, Bidart and Guéthary formed a single village. Separated today, the coastal path (GR8 ) allows you to walk the four kilometers that separate them while enjoying the view of the ocean. From the charming Place Atchoarena, in the heart of Bidart, to the old fishing port of Guéthary, it’s only a short step!
The starting point is the Erretegia beach in Bidart. Although this section represents only part of the coastal path, which covers more than 25km in its entirety, it still allows you to contemplate exceptional landscapes while discovering the local heritage. On a clear day, you can see the beginnings of the Pyrenees on the horizon, and the orientation table provided is the best way to identify them.
Like most towns on the Basque coast, Bidart’s history was marked by whaling. Uhabia beach was the site of the village’s port, from which fishermen used to set sail for the open sea. Today, few vestiges of this ancient port remain, but you can still see the whale-blubber ovens carved out of the stone!
Did you know? 
In the past, like Bidart, Guéthary was essentially a fishing town. From the 11th to the 19th century, whales were hunted off the coast of the Basque Country. The town’s coat of arms is a reminder of this centuries-old tradition. Its ancient port is the smallest on the Basque coast. Today, a score of colorful local fishermen’s boats are waiting for the right moment to enjoy a trip out to sea.
Saint-Jean-de-Luz
Nestling at the end of a pretty bay, enter the “city of privateers”. Saint-Jean-de-Luz is a seaside resort full of charm… Let yourself be seduced by its fishing port, pedestrian streets, splendid hotels and the 15th-centurychurch of Saint-Jean Baptiste.
At the heart of the city’s historic center lies Place Louis XIV, one of the liveliest spots in town. Bordered by sumptuous buildings, it’s not unusual to see painters in the shade of the plane trees, musical entertainment under the kiosk in the center, or simply Luziens sipping a drink on the terrace.
On one side of the square, the port of Saint-Jean-de-Luz is home to a diversified fleet. Some forty fishing boats based in Saint-Jean-de-Luz practice artisanal fishing along the Basque-Landes coastline and on the Bay of Biscay. On the other side of the street, Rue Gambetta will seduce you with its dynamism. Here, traditional and modern boutiques coexist, making Saint-Jean-de-Luz an excellent address for shopping enthusiasts. promenade Jacques Thibaud along the city’s bay and continue on the promenade des Flots Bleus to reach the Sainte Barbe hill where the panorama will leave you speechless.
Did you know?
Saint-Jean-de-Luz witnessed an unusual marriage on June 9, 1660… that of Louis XIV and theInfanta of Spain, Maria Theresa of Spain! Take a stroll through the streets of the town and retrace the history of this royal event.
Lohobiague Enea, located in Place Louis XIV, is better known as Maison Louis XIV. Louis XIV lived in this beautiful 17th-century shipowner’s house before his marriage to the Infanta. Still inhabited and in the same family since its construction in 1643, you can discover furniture, paintings, crockery, souvenirs and family heirlooms on guided tours… www.maison-louis-xiv.fr. A few steps away, overlooking the port, you’ll see the Joanoenia house, or Maison de l’Infante, which housed Maria Theresa of Spain while she waited for her wedding to take place.
The mass, which lasted over 3 hours, was celebrated in theSaint-Jean-Baptiste church. An unusual detail: the door through which the couple passed has since been walled up. It can still be seen from rue Gambetta.
Domaine Abbadia in Hendaye
Classified as a sensitive natural area, the estate is a green setting that can be explored on foot and without dogs. During your walk, don’t hesitate to pass through the doors of the Corniche house, Asporosttipi, which has become an essential passageway for discovering the estate and the Basque Corniche.
Here, 65 hectares of unspoilt nature await you. The geological richness of the estate is reflected in a multitude of landscapes (cliffs, moors, vast meadows, hedges and woodlands) that provide varied habitats for flora and fauna.
Perched on the cliffs of the Basque Coast, Domaine d’Abbadia offers breathtaking panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean. Visitors can contemplate the coastline, the beaches of Hendaye, and even catch a glimpse of the Spanish coast from the estate’s belvederes.
In the heart of this protected site, you’ll come face to face with the château-observatoire d’Abbadiathe former residence of Antoine d’Abbadie, built by Viollet-le-Duc at the end of the 19th century and listed as a Monument Historique. Push open the doors and you’ll discover, among other things, the period instrumentation used by the scientist.
Good to know: access to the Estate is free, while the Château-observatory is not.
Did you know?
Antoine d’Abbadie was an explorer, geographer, linguist and astronomer. Born in Dublin to an Irish mother and a Souletin father, he is a fervent defender of the Basque language and culture. His achievements include the first cartography of Ethiopia, where he spent 11 years. A member of the Académie des Sciences and its President in 1892, he bequeathed his château to the Académie after his death.
