BASQUE COUNTRY IN FRANCE

Biarritz
Biarritz

Bayona in Spanish, Bayonne in French and Lapurdun in Basque is the capital of the French Basque Country or what would be the same, capital of the Basque towns located in French territory (Iparralde, name given to this area in Basque language). It is a town with an important fishing and commercial port. The abdication of Fernanado VII and Carlos IV in favour of Napoleon took place in Bayonne in 1808. After the abdication a Board of well-known men from Spain and Central and South America congregated at random by Napoleon pledged allegiance to José Bonaparte as King of Spain and draw up the so called Bayonne Constitution, which never came to be in force..

Places of interest

Some of the monuments that are a must in the French-Basque town are the Cathedral of Santa María and its cloister that are considered to be the great Gothic of the Iparralde area. Places like the Old Castle and the New Castle, the Romanesque church of Saint Etienne and the church of Saint Esprit, Gothic style, are also worth a visit. Moreover, in Bayonne you can also visit the Basque Museum in the Bourgneuf quarter and the banks of the Adour, from where you can enjoy a ride down the river.

Tours around

Biarritz is the most cosmopolitan city in Iparralde, the French Basque Country, due to its tradition in international politic affairs. It has two wonderful beaches, a bigger one and a smaller one in the port where you can also admire the Rocher de la Vierge and the lighthouse. Other treasures found in Biarritz are the churches of Saint Martin and that of Sainte Eugenia, the Hotel du Palais, in the Louis XVIII tradition, and the two casinos: the Municipal one and the Bellevue Casino.

San Juan de Luz, also known as Donibane in the Basque language, is a fishing port that has nowadays reoriented its activity towards tourism thanks to its attractive bay and surrounding beaches. Some of the most enjoyable walks in this area are to promenade its bay from the Archiloa cross to the port, to cross the Nivelle river and to wander around Ciboure, neighbouring town with typical streets and ancient houses built in the Basque tradition. The most outstanding monuments in San Juan de Luz are the Church of San Juan Bautista and some of its mansions: Lohobiaga, that of Louis XIV, Haraneder or the one belonging to the Princess (Infanta), which can be visited although the date and time have to be agreed on in advance. The Esquerrenea and Goitiena buildings in Republic Street should also de visited.

Links:

Services Directory

Hotels:

LE GRAND HOTEL BEST WESTERN ***
21, Rue Thiers.
Bayona
+3359596200
54 rooms.

HOTEL MERCURE ***
Av. J. Rostand
Bayona
+3359528444
109 rooms

Museums:

THE BONNAT MUSEUM
5, Rue Jacques Laffitte
Bayonne
0559590852
Visiting Hours: Monday, Wednesday to Sunday: 10-12.30 h., 14-18 h.
Closed on Tuesdays and public holidays.
Admission Fees: General: 3.05 €
Reduced: Groups (minimum 15): 2.29 €
Students and children: 1.52 €
Free admission the first Sunday of each month.

BASQUE MUSEUM
(MUSÉE BASQUE)
Châteua Neuf
Bayonne
0559590898
Visiting Hours: Tuesday to Sunday: 10-12.30h., 14-18 h.
Closed on Mondays.
Admission Fees: General: 3.05 €
Children and groups (minimum 15): 1.52 €
Joint Admission Fee: Giving admission to the Basque Museum and the Bonnat Museum: 4.52 €

THE NATIONAL HISTORY MUSEUM
Château Lauga
Bayonne
0559571510

Restaurants:

AUBERGE DE LA GALUPE
Adress: Place du Port, Urt (a 14 kilómetros de Bayona)
Telephone: 559562184
Price: Menu gourmand: 58.88 €
Menu: 83.84 €

CHATEAU HALTYA
Adress: Salida 5 autovía, Ustarritz (a 12 kilómetros de Bayona)
Telephone: 559703929
Price: 29.72 - 38.87 €.

LE CHEVAL BLANC
Adress: 68, Rue Bourgnef, Petit Bayonne
Telephone: 559590133
Menus: 19.05 - 42.68 €.

Transports:

TRAINS:

TRAIN STATION
Place de la Gare
Bayonne
All the information in: www.sncf.com (French trains)

TAXIS:

Telephone de taxis en Bayona +33559594848

Emergency:

Paramedics (Ambulances) 15