Basque region Travel Guide

Although most of the Basque country (Euskal Herria in Basque) is attached to Spain (Euskadi and Navarra), there is a small triangle in the southwest corner of France. Located between the Pyrenees and the Atlantic Ocean the air is pretty and has quite a few interesting places to visit.

The main tourist draw is probably Biarritz a posh beach resort close to the border with Spain. St.Jean de Luz (Donibane Lohitzun) is another beautiful seaside resort and active fishing port not far from the Spanish border. It's a lively and cosmopolitan town. The town center of St Jean de Luz has a medieval background, with a great deal of influence in the past from Spain and the Moors.

Bayonne (Baiona), the capital of the region, is located at the junction of the rivers Adour and Nive. It's a busy commercial town, with a long history. At every turn of the narrow lanes with their distinctive colombage houses that make up the town centre, you will come upon vestiges of the rich past that contributed to the growth of Bayonne.

In the interior of the Basque country you will find many places to go hiking or biking. In winter there are many skiing opportunities in the mountain resorts of the Pyrenees. Check the section on the Pyrenees for more info.

Restaurants (jantegi), Bars (ostatu), Cider shops (sagarnotegi) are also common local activities ;-).