Bayonne vs Biarritz

Have you been to San Sebastián Spain? You’re so close from either location.

I chose to stay in Bayonne and was very glad I had. Bayonne has a large historic district, a nice art museum (Musee Bonnat), the Musee Basque and a chocolate museum with a very generous tasting room (as of 2019; I can't vouch for its availability today). Biarritz does have a nice, privately-run museum of south Asian art (mainly decorative art) that I really enjoyed, but I don't think that's a place the typical visitor to France would be seeking out.

I enjoyed wandering along the historic streets in Bayonne. Biarritz just didn't seem as picturesque, though there are of course views of the beach. I was unlucky with the weather; it was raining on the day I did most of my wandering in Biarritz, and I'm sure that didn't help matters. Still, to me, it makes a lot more sense as a day-trip than as a multi-night base.

Speaking of weather, it rains rather a lot in October in that part of France, as it does across the border in the Spanish Basque Country. Plan some just-in-case indoor activities.

In 2017 we stayed in Bayonne for no particular reason other than we had already been to Biarritz and Bayonne had more chocolate shops. Unfortunately, when we were there it was a holiday and all but one of the chocolate shops was closed. We did drive over to Biarritz but didn’t spend much time there. We stayed at Ibis Styles Bayonne Center Gare for its location just across the river from the historic center. It has very limited paid parking, but we got lucky. We got a parking spot, and since it was a holiday, it was free. Nearby is the train station and it has parking too.

Hi,
October is late for the beach so Bayonne seems to be the better base. However, in any case 4-5 nights is a long time: are you planning other day trips than Biarritz? Saint Jean de Luz is interesting and a short train ride away; San Sebastian is not very far either; going inland is worthwhile too (but best done with a car)