Two weeks in France splitting time between Bordeaux and Basque

My family (spouse, kids 17 and 14) spent 5 nights in French Basque Country and 4 nights in Arcachon (with one day dedicated to Bordeaux) last summer. I think 12 nights is too many. While this area is fun, there’s not as much to do as other regions of France. Our 1 long day in Bordeaux was plenty for us.

There’s not much between the two. We stopped at the Landes Eco Museum, which was fun but not a highlight of the trip.

Hey- super helpful. I should have clarified we were thinking of the Bordeaux region/ perhaps Cahors? to for our time there not Bordeaux the city. Would you mind sharing what you did with the kids in Basque? Would welcome itinerary tips. TIA

Day 1 we toured the smaller Basque towns and then did some walking in the evening (we stayed near Sare in the countryside). This was also a supermarket day as it was 1 week into our trip.

Day 2 we spent in st Jean de luz - also its market day

Day 3 we spent in San Sebastián

Day 4 was Bayonne chocolate museum, Bayonne, st esprit street art tour, dinner and evening in Hendaye

Day 4 was the favorite. Because we were in the countryside we spent a lot of time wandering around. It is very beautiful out there.

Hi @Sashap123, I love San Juan de Luz, and have been there several summers with my family.

When we stay there we like to go to the beach, and in the old town area I think it will be difficult to find a place with a pool.

I also agree that 12 days is a bit much, even for a beach holiday.

You don´t say if you will have a car. Without a car you sight seeing options are reduce. You don´t say how old the kids are so it is a bit hard to say what they might like.

Some possible things to visit would be:
San Sebastian and it´s aquarium. You can get there without a car from SJdL.
Bayonne, and there is a chocolate museum again by train.
Not far from SJdL is the cave of Zugarramurdi, where there were witches. You´d need a car. The Cave of Sare and Urdax are also there, and in the Baztan valley you could hike to the
A little farther out, by car or more difficult is Pau. The chateau/palace is nice.
San Juan Pie de Puerto is also a nice place to visit.

The entire area between Bordeaux and the Basque country is a forest area which extends at least 60 km inland.
Spending a little time in Arcachon may be worth it, then along the coast going south to Saint Jean de Luz there are just endless sandy beaches very popular in summer.
See here:

https://maps.app.goo.gl/j1VphQnK8E9H6jWk9

Sea.... Beaches... Forest

we were thinking of the Bordeaux region/ perhaps Cahors

Cahors is not at all in the same region as Bordeaux, it is in Occitanie, another culture, other landscapes, very rural. At least 3 hours drive from Bordeaux and more than 4 hours drive to Basque country

How old are the kids? Do you all hike?
In San Sebastian, there is a fun amusement park, and the hiking along the coast (in both directions) is stellar. There is a surf school in San Sebastian.
I would not exhaust 12 days in Basque country, though I might have multiple bases.

I think I confused Bordeaux with Dordogne. We are thinking of a week in Basque followed by a week in Dordogne/Lot. I misunderstood that while the wine region may be Bordeaux that Bordeaux is also a city! Much to learn. In any case if there is a good central location for us to base ourselves in Dordogne for a week to see the sites in the morning and relax at home in a gite with a pool that would be great. We have kids ages 6 and 10. Thank you!!

Since you seem to know that the region called Dordogne or Dordogne Valley also includes Lot and Quercy and is not just Sarlat and its close surroundings, I would say that a good central location can be anywhere, let's say halfway between Sarlat in the West and Martel in the East (there are about 40 km between these two cities).

Look at this map, locate these towns and find a gite where it seems well located for you. I didn't put any accommodation, only the main things to do and see. It's up to you to find some.

https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=1OdPOg8AgsNn0Jlv1cNHkujaWv9p_Jpc&usp=sharing

The "Gites de France" website:

https://www.gites-de-france.com/en

Note that some of the gîtes are not listed in the English version, I guess it's because the owners didn't specify "English spoken".

Your kids might enjoy the Chateau de Bridoire, it is a fun hands on museum. Really is fun for all ages. It is a bit south of Bergerac.

So helpful, everyone. Yes, I am just realizing that my post makes no sense in retrospect! I appreciate all this wonderful advice.
In terms of Dordogne/Lot region, I'd love to pick a gite that is central so we can travel 20-30 minutes to various places in the morning and then be home in the late afternoon to relax. If you have specific towns that would be charming for us to stay in that would be most appreciated!

I stayed in Beynac twice. It is a favorite. I like it because it’s on the river. I went there when my kids were similar in ages to yours and we had a great time. You can read about all the amazing sites (I think there’s more to go here with a family than anywhere else in Europe). The 3 tips I have are (1) to go to Padirac cave. Big hit with the kids. (2) go to the monkey forest. Another big hit. You feed the monkeys popcorn. (3) there’s a river beach in Vitrac that we went to every day in the afternoon. Very calm stretch of the Dordogne. Very pretty views of the cliffs.

Where to stay in Bordeaux depends what you want to do in Bordeaux. If you want to see Urban attractions, I would recommend you stay in the city center. If you want to go wine tasting you can stay in the country side. Do your research so you pick the appropriate bank of the river. The left and right bank's are a 90 minute drive from each other.

My favourite resource to use is the Wine Cellar Insider. There is a simple travel site called Sauvistication which is also helpful. I'd recommend you avoid the two tourist trap blogs (Lost in Bordeaux and Bordeaux Travel Guide). Both are loaded with ads and affiliates with the goal of making a buck off of you. They are in an affiliate program with Rue Des Vignerons (a winery booking 3rd party) and are only guiding you to wineries which will pay them a commission.

If your kids are legal drinking age and you want to visit wineries, it may make sense to stay on the left or right bank in Bordeaux. Many of the Bed and Breakfasts have pools. If they are not legal drinking age it would probably make more sense to stay in the city center.

Here are some options you could look at: https://sauvistication.com/where-to-stay-in-bordeaux/

You have received some good suggestions here. It sounds like your trip will not actually include Bordeaux, rather the Dordogne region and Basque country. Both areas are fantastic and I don't think 12 days is too long. I'd look at visiting the various caves in and around the greater Dordogne region (Lascaux, Font-de-Gaume, gauffre de Padirac, etc.) Also the various châteaux (Castelnaud-la-Chapelle, Château Beynac, Château des Millandes, etc.) All fun things to do with kids. I love St. Jean de Luz and it's relaxed vibe. Some other fun towns to visit are San Sebastian (someone mentioned already but there's a grea amusement park on top of one of the hills, great food, and a great beach), Bayonne, and Biarritz. All very near to St. Jean de Luz. Depending on where you stay in the Dordogne, you could make it a fun all day drive, stopping along the way at one of the many charming towns, having a delicious lunch (Issigeac is one such charming town but there are many, many others.) I hope you all enjoy your trip!!

Yes, I feel so fortunate to have received so much great advice. Thanks to all of you!

I'm working on a similar trip at the moment. Coming into Bordeaux for 3 nights, heading down to Biarritz for 4 nights, San Sebastian for 6 nights (with lots of day trips) and then Bilbao for 3 nights (which is too far for you if you are staying in France the whole time). There is SO much to do in the San Sebastian area if you like hiking. I feel if you look at more the SS area, you will find plenty to do, and it's really not too far. So many people just stay in the city and don't venture out which is why you may be seeing people say just stay 1-2 nights there. How old are your kids? That will make a huge difference.