Have you ever visited the French Basque Country? Take the opportunity to get to know, through the post, Bayonne and Biarritz: completely different from the French cities we know.
I French Basque Country they were my latest discovery.
They had been floating around in my head for a while but I didn't find much information about it, not even on the internet.
I must say that it is not a very popular place for Italian vacationers but, especially in August, it is besieged by French tourists.
Needless to say, I fell in love.
I French Basque Country, overlook the Bay of Biscay e they are totally different from the rest of France.
The most famous resort is certainly Biarritz, followed by a wheel from Bayonne, capital of the French Basque Country and much more linked to the Basque world.
The beauty of this territory is also given by its wonderful beaches, which are part of the territory of Landes.
How the locality of Bayonne is divided
Bayonne, as I told you, is the capital of the French Basque Country and overlooks the rivers Adour e Nive.
The city is divided into three areas: Grand bayonne, the oldest part of the city and, for me, certainly the most beautiful. Holy Spirit, located north of the Adour River. Petit Bayonne, the roughest neighborhood in the city but still very charming.
As I recommend many times, get lost in the streets of this fascinating city.
It is really difficult to put into words the amazement of seeing a city totally different from the French cities we are used to.
What not to miss in Bayonne
Do not miss Cathedrale Sainte Marie in gothic style, with its towers and its beautiful stained glass windows, a good cup of tea and a crepe A la Bolée and, of course, a ride to L'Atelier du Chocolat to watch the production of the Bayonne chocolate, very famous and renowned all over the world.
If you are a Bayonne il first Wednesday of August, you will be lucky enough to witness the start of Fetes de Bayonne, which attracts visitors from all over the world.
It is 5 days under the banner of parties, ceremonies, processions and fireworks and, the highlight, is certainly the opening ceremony held at 22pm on Wednesday in front of the Town Hall, thanks to a truly beautiful fireworks display.
The Landes beaches
We arrived at my favorite point of the whole trip: the wonderful beaches of the Landes.
It is a long strip of sand, surrounded by dunes, which extends from Anglet at the mouth of the Gironde.
The whole area lends itself to hiking and cycling but, above all, these wonderful beaches bathed by a blue Atlantic Ocean, are a strong attraction for surfers from all over the world.
Along this area there are small and delightful seaside resorts such as Capbreton e Hossegor.
Unfortunately I didn't have time to see them all, but I absolutely recommend you Plage des Oceanides and the beach located in the small village of Moliets, with calmer waters to enjoy a nice swim in complete tranquility.
What to do in Biarritz
The seaside resort of Biarritz is certainly the best known and most fashionable of all the Basque Country.
The town is really very nice, full of villas, historic buildings and shops.
The waterfront has been heavily cemented but, despite this, it manages to retain a charm of its own.
The first thing I wanted to go and see and that I really liked is definitely the Rocher de la Vierge, that is, the rock of the Virgin.
It is a rock with the white statue of the Virgin on it and, to reach it, you will have to cross the pedestrian bridge that starts from Pointe Atalaye.
The view is wonderful.
I recommend you take a ride to the beach immediately below, really very pretty!
The second unmissable place in my opinion is practically on the opposite side and it is the Phare de Biarritz.
It goes without saying that here too the view is spectacular and, from the top of the lighthouse, even more so.
To photograph but absolutely too crowded during the summer months, it is there Grande Plage, unmissable and famous city beach.
Biarritz, in addition to being a fashionable place, is the surfing paradise, thanks to its immense beaches and the numerous surf schools that fill the city.
It is no coincidence that this is where the World surf league, a worldwide surfing competition.
If you have a sweet tooth, you will be satisfied: in Biarritz you can find many tapas places, for a snack or a quick meal.
In short, in my opinion, if you are a nature lover and want to explore something different, the French Basque Country is absolutely for you.
You will not be disappointed by this so different territory and you will be pleasantly surprised by the warm welcome you will receive from its inhabitants.
