driving route for French Basque Cities

Posted by jules m (Twin Cities of MN) on 09/02/22 05:51 PM

We will be staying 2 nights in Ascain (I now wish I had planned 3). Before getting to Ascain, we will have visited Biarritz, St Jean de Luz, and Bayonne, and we will see St Jean Pied de Port towards the end of our trip when we leave Spain and head back to Bordeaux. So, I'm looking for a picturesque and efficient driving route to see the smaller Basque villages, like Sare, Espellate, Ainhoa, Cambo les Baines. I think I'd like to end the day in Sare, because if we don't get that far we can see Sare and anything in Ascain on the way to Hondarribia, Spain. I do see an obvious driving route on google maps, but I'm looking more for advice on cities that should be higher priority and the best use of the one day we have.

Also, any restaurant recommendations are welcome.

Posted by Suki

09/02/22 06:28 PM

11169 posts

We approached them differently on different days. The first time we crossed the border from Spain into France was due to a road block on the road to Pamplona caused by large rocks in the road. We had no idea we had crossed into France and were treated to several of these small Basque villages, Ascain, Saré and Espellette. We returned a few days later, driving inland from St-Jean de Luz. Both drives were picturesque and we fell in love with these villages and plan to return to stay in Sarè.

Posted by Rosalyn

Portland

09/02/22 07:15 PM

3601 posts

I can’t comment on a route; but I’ll say that Cambo les Bains has the home of Edmund Rostand, that shouldn’t be missed. Beautiful gardens and a mansion filled with ER memorabilia. Esplette is fun with its red pepper decor. There is a traditional Basque farmstead, that can be visited, close to one of the smaller villages, Sare? Ainhoa?

Posted by princess pupule

martinez, ca, usa

09/02/22 11:22 PM

2304 posts

hey hey jules
my BFF is from french basque area, near saint jean pied de port. her family were sheep herders with still family in small town of st martin d'arrossa
they would stay at chezkatina.fr
they are like a BnB with restaurant, bar/lounge, pool, sauna
travelswithmaribel.wordpress.com
maribelsguides.com
ossau-iraty.fr/ route du formage
has map of area with symbols for cheese farms,
espelette: village of red peppers
theguardian.com
locals guide to biarritz, 5 great things to do
itxassou
known for the black cherry (grown in the basque region also varieties are peloa, xapata, and beltxa riping in may/june
france-voyage.com/ tourism
biarittz and search the different villages around the basque region.
stop in the markets in the many towns and villages, tasting fruit/veggies, wine/ciders, jabon ham of bayonne, the halles center market.
have a great trip and adventure. please come back and let us know how things went.
aloha

Posted by balso

Paris

09/03/22 08:52 AM

6914 posts

Logical order would be Cambo - Espelette - Ainhoa (I am adding it to your list, it is very cute) - Sare - Ascain. It sounds like a lot, but really, except Cambo, they're small villages.
If you want, you can save Sare for your day in Ascain, in which case I suggest you add the excursion up La Rhune during that day.