Car Rental - Bayonne
Book a car rental in the capital of the French Basque region, Bayonne. One of the most gorgeous destinations in south-west France, visit to discover its half-timbered medieval buildings, awe-inspiring cathedral and vibrant foodie scene. Outside of the city, the coastal gems of Biarritz and, across the border, Spain’s San Sebastián are only a short drive away by rental car, perfect for day trips.
Experience the freedom of exploring this region at your own pace with car rental from Bayonne. Browse our range of vehicles online and find the perfect one for your trip. Those on a family vacation will find spacious people carriers while, if you’re on a romantic break, opt for one of our compact city cars.
With Hertz, there are zero hidden extras to pay and no cancellation or amendment fees, as long as you do so up to two days before collection. Whether you’re staying in Bayonne to soak up the diverse culture or heading out to the coast, your rental car will give you absolute freedom to do it all at your own pace.
Bayonne Locations
A Quick Guide to Bayonne
Bayonne exudes elegant French charm. Prepare to be dazzled by both its pretty architecture and distinct cuisine when you book a break to this small city. And with the Atlantic coast, Spanish border and Pyrenees Mountains just a few miles away, Bayonne is ripe for even more adventures.
Get to Know Bayonne
Idling away an afternoon strolling around Bayonne’s pretty streets is one of the best things to do in this city. Rue d'Espagne is a particular beauty, with bags of atmosphere. Red-tinged half-timbered houses and cute shuttered buildings fringe this route, so don’t forget to take your camera.
Eventually, you’ll find yourself in front of Cathédrale Ste-Marie, a magnificent Gothic church and Bayonne’s top-billed landmark. Admire the façade before heading inside to see the 16th century-stained glass windows and adjoining breathtaking cloister that dates back to the 13th.
Park up your Bayonne rental car and walk along the city’s remaining ramparts on Boulevard du Rempart Lachepaillet, before venturing into the Botanical Gardens. Tropical flora, fountains and ponds fill this green oasis, creating the perfect place to enjoy a little peace and quiet.
Feast on Food
You can’t visit the capital of Basque Country without sampling its famed cuisine. The best place to try? Les Halles. This sprawling food hall is a central cog of daily life in this city, with an electric atmosphere. Wander past tables piled high with local produce, sample cold meats, local cheeses and fresh bread, or grab a plate of lunch at any of the street food stalls. If you’re lucky, your visit might be accompanied by the songs of a local choir that regularly performs in the hall.
Bayonne’s culinary roots extend beyond Basque delicacies to sweet treats, too. Make your way to l'Atelier du Chocolat, the city’s premier chocolate maker. Smell the rich aroma of cocoa in the air as you wander inside. Pick up a box of your favorite chocolates before heading into the onsite museum. Here, you can learn the secrets of each stage of artisan chocolate making and see a collection of antique machinery to get a feel for the history of the local chocolate trade.
Hit the Beach
The stretch of coast near Bayonne is home to many spectacular beaches. From wild, windswept shores to peaceful golden stretches, the Basque Country’s most beautiful beaches are so close you can touch them.
First stop, Biarritz, is only a short drive away in your holiday rental car. Once an old whaling town, Biarritz combines the best of both worlds - half glitzy coastal resort with upmarket seafood restaurants and boutique shops, half laid-back surf hang-out. Plage Côte des Basques is one of the best beaches in the city and attracts surfers from all over Europe. Make your way to the popular spot and watch the surfers out at sea or put on your wetsuit and head into the waters yourself.
Further south down the coast, you’ll find Saint-Jean-de-Luz. This lovely old fishing town is an idyllic place to visit, with seafood restaurants aplenty. But the biggest draw is its beach – Le Grande Plage. Protected by high sea walls, this sheltered spot is a sun worshipper’s dream. Simply pack your towel, sunscreen and your favorite beach reads in your rental car and head here to soak up the rays.
Whether you’re staying in Bayonne or venturing out to the bountiful Basque coast and countryside, exploring it all is easy with a rental car.
Driving In and Around Bayonne
Bayonne is a beautiful medieval city, sat near the west coast of France and with the Rivers Adour and Nive running through it. It’s a place ripe for exploration by car rental, and relatively straightforward to navigate.
Bear in mind that some streets in the center of Bayonne have been pedestrianized. Here you can park up your holiday or business car rental and troll through the leafy gardens into the historic heart, where you can visit the Cathédrale Ste-Marie.
Just a 15-minute drive from Bayonne is Biarritz, a glamorous resort on the coast of the Bay of Biscay. As one of Europe’s top surf spots, it’s an amazing place to ride the Atlantic waves. Follow the D260 in your rental car and you’ll reach this sun-kissed destination in under 20 minutes.
While the majority of roads in Bayonne and the surrounding area are classed as minor ‘D’ roads, you may come across French freeways, known as Autoroutes, which are marked with an ‘A’. One of these is the A63 – travel south down this freeway and you can cross the Spanish border. France and Spain are both part of the Schengen Agreement, which allows you to venture over in your rental car without any problems.
Once in Spain, head to San Sebastián – from Bayonne it’s less than an hour’s journey. This city’s culinary scene is legendary and a true paradise for food lovers. Snack on fresh oysters at a seaside café, linger over a multi-course feast in a Michelin-starred restaurant, or sample pintxos (Basque tapas) at one of the many bars lining the streets of the city.
As in the U.S., you’ll drive on the right-hand side of the road while in France. Speed limits vary depending on the type of road you’re using – on freeways it’s 130 km/h (80mph), which drops to 50km/h (31) mph in urban areas. The driver and all passengers are required to always wear a seatbelt and using a cell phone while driving is banned.
