The Pays Basque Countryside

Exploring the lovely Bucolic Countryside from the Atlantic to Béarn Full-day excursions covering the Labourd, Basse-Navarre and Soule provinces of the Pyrénées-Atlantiques are possible starting either from San Sebastián-Donostia or Hondarribia on the Spanish side of the Pyrenees, or from Saint-Jean-de-Luz, Biarritz or Bayonne on the France side.  The day-long excursions will take you through…

Lodging in the Pays Basque

You’ll find accommodations to fit all budgets in the French Basque Country, from the historic 5-star Hôtel du Palais, luxury boutique hotel Beaumanoir, or the Belle Époque Le Régina in Biarritz, to more moderately priced 3-star accommodations like Hôtel Edouard VII  in Biarritz, 4-star Hôtel Ithurria in Ainhoa, the 3-star country inn, Hotel Arcé, in…

Stars of the Côte Basque Part 3

Bayonne The Spiritual Capital of the Pays Basque For genuine, un-touristy Basque flavor, venture a little further up the coast from the elegant, bustling resort of Biarritz to the quintessentially Basque city of Bayonne, or Baïona in Basque, once the most important commercial port on the coast and the spiritual capital of the Pays Basque. …

The Côte Basque – Biarritz

Biarritz A quick 15-minute drive up the autoroute from Saint-Jean-de-Luz is the elegant, stately, and formerly very staid, international resort, the crown jewel of the Côte Basque, Biarritz, a Four-Flower Village (Ville Fleurie) with a climate similar to Carmel, California.  The more time we spend in Biarritz, the more we fall under its spell.  While…

Stars of the Côte Basque Part 1

Saint-Jean-de-Luz Known as Donibane Lohizune in Basque, is a charming, lively, sophisticated, but extremely busy in summer, tuna, sardine and anchovy fishing port with 5 sandy beaches, turned tourist draw.  Take a walk atop the seawall on the Promenade Jacques Thibault.  Survey the sardine boats moored in the small, protected harbor, or stroll along the…