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Vacations Basque Country
Nature and landscapes of the Basque Country
The Basque Country is indeed one of the few territories in the world where you can both enjoy the range and breathe the fresh mountain air. In any case, it is difficult not to fall under the spell of the great natural spaces that make up the richness of this tourist region of the Southwest.
Among the sites that are worth the detour, one thinks among others of the montagne de la Rhune. With a peak of more than 900 meters above sea level, it offers a breathtaking panoramic view of the French and Spanish coasts. We also think of the mountain of Xoldokogaina, where one can admire lakes, ponds, marshes and springs… and enjoy a breathtaking view of Urrugne and the coast. One can also appreciate an exceptional panorama on the ocean from the Cénitz hill…
The escapade is also a great opportunity to discover the diversity of the fauna and the flora of the Basque Country. Hikers discover among others the pottok, halfway between horse and pony in terms of size, but also the “manex” ewe, a sheep with curved horns and black head and legs, or the betiso cow that lives freely in the mountains … The Basque sky is the “preserve” of vultures, hawks, ravens and buzzards …
The Basque coastline
Near the camping Ur-Onea, the hiking on the Coastal path is the best way to appreciate the attractions of the Basque coast. This path of about twenty kilometers connects Bidart to Hendaye and passes among others through Saint-Jean-de-Luz and the Basque coast road.
Nature reserves to the visitors beautiful surprises such as the numerous creeks and the cliffs of the cornice. Hikers also have the chance to enjoy a fascinating view of the mountains.
The Coastal Trail passes through the picturesque village of Guéthary. Holidaymakers arrive in Saint-Jean-de-Luz via the point of Sainte-Barbe, before reaching Hendaye and the domain of Abbadia via the Basque cornice. Some people can’t resist the urge to continue the adventure on the other side of the Spanish border, to discover for example Irun or San Sebastian.
Leisure and activities in the Basque Country (64)
The walking are among the most popular activities of visitors to the Basque Country, especially since the territory has many developed paths and marked. The local trails, convenient for family or friends excursions, are marked in yellow. The paths for long hikes (GR) are marked in red and white. Quad biking, cycling and mountain biking are other increasingly popular exploration options, especially on the Basque coast.
The Basque coast is ideal for many water activities such as surfing, water skiing, stand-up paddle, fishing, rafting and boat trips.
The Basque Country is also passionate about a number of sports disciplines, in particular Basque pelota and Basque force, but also rugby, golf, trainers and, to a lesser extent, basketball.
Visit the Basque Country with your family
We have selected three of the Must-see places during a family getaway in the Basque Country :
- City of ocean and surfing (Biarritz)
- The Lighthouse of Biarritz
- The castle-observatory Abbadia (Hendaye)
The museum invites you to explore Biarritz’s relationship with the ocean through a range of interactive exhibits and multimedia exhibits that are sure to appeal to children. For example, the school offers a virtual reality surfing experience and the ” bathyscaphe “, a dynamic cinema with special effects that are more real than life that takes you to the Gouf de Capbreton, an underwater chasm at a depth of 3,500 meters off the coast of Biarritz.
At the Pointe Saint-Martin, marking the border between the rocky coast of Biarritz and the fine sand of the Landes, the city’s lighthouse stands at the top of a rocky promontory nearly 80 meters above the water.
It has been guiding sailors since 1834 and the current lenses are more than a century old, dating from 1904, with a range of 40 km.
The lighthouse is fully automated since 1980. You enter it, but you will have to climb the 248 steps to reach the gallery. Or you can admire it from outside, and enjoy the pretty panorama offered by the promontory.
The building is one of the most beautiful achievements of the neo-gothic architecture. Built by Eugène Viollet-le-Duc and Edmond Duthoit on a commission from Antoine d’Abbadie, the castle is listed as a historic monuments and classed as “Maison des Illustres” .
Culture and traditions in the Basque Country
The Basque Country is made up of a French and a Spanish part separated by the Western Pyrenees. In the southwest of France, the French Basque Country is part of the Pyrénées-Atlantiques in Aquitaine.
The French Basque Country is composed of 3 provinces: the Labourd with the famous Basque coast, the Basse-Navarre with its charming villages like Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port and Hélette and the Soule province known for its splendid mountains.
The Basque coast is the delight of surfers and fishing enthusiasts with its magnificent beaches and cliffs which offers its visitors breathtaking landscapes. Following the example of Biarritz, the cities of the Basque coast are known throughout France thanks to their temperate climate and ideal living environment.
Endowed with sumptuous landscapes, the Basque Country is also rich on the cultural plan and architectural plan, many are attracted by the real estate Basque Country. It will seduce the amateurs of idleness, beautiful beaches, sand and rocks, as well as the most daring tourists. It invites you to spend a stay between sea and mountain.
