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.
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 it? 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 who regularly perform in the hall.
Bayonne’s culinary roots extend beyond Basque delicacies to sweet treats, too. Make yourwaytol'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 headingintotheonsite 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, only a short drive away. 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 favorite beach reads and 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.