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Basque France, Bayonne and villages (Sare/Ascain)--museum, parking and Inn suggestions

Posted by (Twin Cities of MN) on

We will be in both Basque France and Spain in September. We've decided to go to the Basque museums in Bayonne and San Sebastian. For those that have visited Bayonne and gone to the Basque museum, how long did you spend there? Trying to determine if we have time for the museum as well as a quick trip into both Biarritz and St Jean de Luz in a day.

I am thinking of staying overnight outside of Bayonne and driving to the edge of old town to visit the museum and the cathedrale the following day. Any tips for parking near old town?

Any suggestions of a budget inn outside of Bayonne? Currently looking at the budget Ibis but open to other ideas.

For visiting the French Basque Villages, I think the most central place to stay for us will be Ascain or Sare. We'd love some suggestions for moderately priced inns with some "local charm". Restaurant suggestions are welcome as well.

Posted by
27093 posts

I can't help with your specific questions, but in case you aren't aware, there is also a chocolate museum in Bayonne. It's not right in the center, so I imagine you could just drive there and park. (I took a bus and then had a bit of a walk.) As of 2019 the museum's entry fee included a generous tasting room. The chocolate was good, but you shouldn't expect 100-euros-per kilo quality.

I'm sure my reaction was influenced by the very rainy weather I hit, but I didn't care all that much for Biarritz, except for the quite good, privately-run Musee Asiatica. Bayonne itself has a good-sized medieval center where one could spend a good bit of time, just wandering around.

Posted by
70 posts

Loved our visit to that area and visited many of the villages around Sare like Espelette etc.. Went to the Gateau Basque Museum near Sare which is low key but interesting. Assuming you have a car a visit to St Jean Pied de Port is worthwhile. The vineyards of Irouleguy are near there and they make a tasty red wine from Tanat grapes.

https://www.legateaubasque.com/le-museum/?lang=en

Posted by
6887 posts

There is ample parking all around the old town's wall in Bayonne: Champ de Foire, Porte d'Espagne, Paulmy... Never an issue.
And I'd prioritize Saint-Jean-de-Luz over Biarritz, it is a bit more charming! Biarritz had unfortunately suffered from ugly constructions...

Posted by
2 posts

France!! I've had a dream for several years about traveling to Paris, and after a long tour of Germany, next month I'm finally flying to the city of my dream. I managed to save quite a lot on tickets in Germany (I usually traveled by train and booked tickets for dbauskunft.com ), and I added this money to my savings, thanks to which I managed to find an inexpensive airline flight to France for only $ 200 with luggage and without transfers. Does anyone have top attractions that I should see firsthand?

Posted by
5581 posts

Thanks for the tips.

I think what makes sense is a quick drive into/through Biarritz on the way to Bayonne from Armagnac area. If it seems interesting we could have dinner there prior to arriving at our inn on the outskirts of Bayonne. The next day will go to the Basque museum/medieval old town and possibly St Jean de Luz before heading to Ascain. We could also do St. Jean de Luz from Ascain.

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