Bidart is the ideal place if you want to spend a dream holiday in the Basque Country. This typical Basque village, on the edge of the Atlantic Ocean, has everything you dream of for a good time with your family. Its lively, very typical centre invites you to sit on a terrace and drink a lemonade or a good draft beer. Its sandy beaches, lined with cliffs and with a wild appearance, are a delight for families and surfers alike.
In addition to its festive and friendly atmosphere, Bidart has a significant advantage: the village is located at the crossroads of the largest cities on the Basque Coast and half an hour from Spain. In about twenty minutes you can discover Saint-Jean-de-Luz, Biarritz, Anglet, Bayonne and also the smallest village on the Basque coast: Guéthary.
HAS Saint-Jean-de-Luz, it is nice to walk along the Port and admire the Maison Joanoenia ("House of the Infanta) where the Infanta of Spain stayed before marrying Louis XIV. While walking in the pedestrian city center you can also discover the Maison Louis XIV, residence of the Sun King before the royal wedding at the Church of Saint John the Baptist. If you are an art lover, do not hesitate to enter one of the many galleries in the city. From the beach, you will see a small tower on the left side of the bay: this is the Fort de Socoa, built under Louis XIII to protect the city from Spanish invasions. Be careful, during your visit you could come face to face with a 17th century Basque Corsair hired by the King to steal your booty.
Biarritz, for its part, is not a royal city but an imperial one! Napoleon III and his wife Eugénie had a holiday villa built there which, following a devastating fire, was rebuilt into the current Hôtel du Palais. Looking at the Palace from the sky, you can see its E-shaped architecture, in homage to the Empress. The lighthouse esplanade, offering a breathtaking view of the beaches of Anglet and Biarritz, is the perfect place to start your visit. Going down towards the Grande Plage, you will pass in front of the Russian Orthodox Church and walk along the Hôtel du Palais to reach the promenade on which stands the Municipal Casino. Facing the ocean, this majestic building houses reception rooms, a theater, the municipal swimming pool, a restaurant and of course a casino! Enjoy wild evenings playing blackjack and roulette! Continuing your walk, you will quickly arrive at the Sainte-Eugénie Church, known for its crypt in which exhibitions are regularly held. Seafood lovers can then go down to the Port des Pêcheurs to taste seafood dishes. You will then have to head towards the Aquarium and the Rocher de la Vierge, the emblem of the city. When you arrive at the small beach of Port Vieux, popular with families because it is protected from the waves, you can choose to stop for a drink or continue to the Côte des Basques, ranked in the top 3 most beautiful beaches in France. You can finally return through the city center where you will find regional products, Basque lingerie, lots of chocolate, espadrilles, Basque cakes and many other things.
Great athletes will love it Anglet. To start the day, there is nothing better than a stroll in the Chiberta forest or a game of golf in one of the two courses in the city. From the Biarritz lighthouse to the mouth of the Adour River, you can take a long walk, or a run for the most motivated, along the Promenade Littorale. The key is a pleasant break in one of the many bars/restaurants bordering the sandy beach, watching the sun set on the surfers, enjoying the last waves of the day. At Plage de la Barre you will find several activities according to your tastes: a nap on the beach for sunbathing enthusiasts, a skatepark for the "Casse-cous", an ice rink for artists and Parc Izadia for nature and ecology lovers. On Thursday and Sunday mornings, don't forget the famous Quintaou market where you will meet local producers.
Do you know the holidays of Bayonne ? World-famous, just like the Pamplona festivities, they take place every year at the end of July/beginning of August. For 5 days, the festayres wear the traditional white outfit accompanied by the red panuelo (scarf) and cinta (belt). On the program, traditional Basque music and dances, games for children, shows and concerts of all kinds, joy and good humor.
Make no mistake: the soul of Bayonne does not stop there. As you stroll through the pedestrian city center, you can discover its unique architectural heritage, mixing typical Basque half-timbered buildings and more neoclassical buildings, including the town hall in particular. As you walk up the pedestrian streets, you will arrive at the Sainte-Marie de Bayonne Cathedral and its cloister, where exhibitions are regularly held. You can also stroll along the ramparts to the city's botanical garden, which is free and open from April 17 to October 13. If you want to know more about the local culture, the Basque Museum, located on the banks of the Nive, will reveal all its secrets to you. During your visit to the city, you will discover many shops offering local products. Don't hesitate to stop for a hot chocolate in the rue du Port Neuf or a good draft beer on the quays.
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