Hello. A travel companion and myself will be in Spain the end of September. We are staying in Hendaye for a few days and would like to have suggestions for that area. We have the Spanish part of the trip figured, but were hoping for some suggestions as to France. We figure Biarritz for sure. any other tips? Maybe Toulouse? thanks (we are in our 60's, but active and healthy.)
gracias lizzie
Posted by
New York, NY, USA
11294 posts
Will you have a car?
From Hendaye, you can get to Biarritz, Bayonne, and St. Jean de Luz by train and/or bus. I don't know about transit to other destinations. Places like St. Jean Pied de Port and Espelette are popular inland destinations in French Basque country.
Posted by
OP
2 posts
thanks and yes we will have a car.
Posted by
martinez, ca, usa
2409 posts
hey hey llarue
just a few ideas for you for french basque area. my best friend is from that area with some family still living there. it's gorgeous green country side filled with farms ranches small villages.
travelswithmaribel.wordpress.com
basqueterroir.com talks about the famous black cherries from itxassou, they make a lot of different ciders and brandies from the fruit grown there
esplette village home of the famous red peppers
rhune.com a train ride up the mountain for great views
bascovivo.com check out things they do and email them if interested
biarritzbylocals.com has tours and classes
les halles in bayonne, famous for ham and chocolate, is a market place to roam around with lots of basque goodies.
biarritz is a known area for surfing, elegant and glamour villas, markets with resident made stuff, fruits/vegies, wines, cheeses. stop at a seaside cafe for views and appetizers and possibly music
euskoguide.com
saint-jean-pied-de-port cute walkable village along the canals/rivers, maybe a day trip around the area and villages
my friends stay at hoteleskualduna/chez katina. family owned with a restaurant, pool, spa, hotel rooms, breakfast included.
stop at tourism kiosk in town centers for brochures and info of what's going on.
don't forget your IDP, available at AAA/CAA with 2 passport size photos and $25 for each driver.
have a fabulous time, enjoy this area of france that more people should visit. relax and unwind, no hurries no worries. please come back with a review after trip
aloha
Posted by
Rick Steves' Europe
16895 posts
FYI, the destinations that Harold mentions are covered in Rick Steves' Spain 2019, or the Basque Snapshot book, but not his France books.
Posted by
Washington DC
28090 posts
I preferred both Bayonne (less touristy) and St-Jean-de-Luz to Biarritz. I had hoped to get to one or two of the inland villages, but it didn't happen.
Posted by
11570 posts
We enjoyed visiting the Basque villages in the nearby Pyrenees- Ainhoa, Ascain, Saré, Espellette.