Pyrénées-Atlantiques Voyage Tips and guide

Contents

Pyrénées-Atlantiques is in Nouvelle-Aquitaine at the southwest corner of France on the border with Spain. It includes the French Basque Country and the traditional province of Béarn. The Pyrenees mountain range crosses the department from east to west.

• 43.4925-1.4763891 Bayonne — a heady mix of Gascon and Basque, Bayonne comes alive in August for the annual fêtes. For the rest of the year, visitors can't help be drawn to the city's museums and galleries, and its gastronomic specialities.
• 43.480556-1.5572222 Biarritz — a pricey Basque seaside resort, built for pleasure. Great for surfing the ocean wave by day and hitting the casinos and nightclubs after dark, Biarritz is also known for its luxury hotels and swanky restaurants.
• 43.436944-1.5930563 Bidart — practise traditional Basque pelota, trek along the coastal path, or relax on one of the six beaches
• 43.358611-1.7744444 Hendaye — this town on the Spanish border has an old medieval Basque town on the hilltop, and a beach area, around 2 km apart
• 43.43-1.2561115 La Bastide-Clairence — a typical Basque village, founded in 1312
• 43.018611-0.9558336 Larrau — a popular base for hikers and nature lovers looking to explore some of the most dramatic landscapes in the Pyrenees
• 43.300833-0.377 Pau — in sight of the Pyrenees and home to a renaissance château. Enjoy a ride on the funicular railway.
• 43.390278-1.6597228 Saint Jean de Luz — a group of villages with well preserved centres and Basque-style houses. St Jean is also a beach resort
• 43.014167-0.8541679 Sainte-Engrâce — serves as a gateway to some of the most spectacular natural wonders in the Pyrenees, including a massive underground cave system

• 43.095556-0.7166671 Arette — a destination for winter sports enthusiasts, because of the nearby ski resort of La Pierre Saint-Martin, and for those looking to explore the rugged beauty and unique culture of the Béarn region
• 43.312778-1.5802782 Sare — renowned for its traditional Basque architecture

The French Way of St. James starts Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port pilgrimage route and continues 769 km to Santiago de Compostela in Spain. It passes through or near:

• 43.175-1.3463893 Saint-Étienne-de-Baïgorry
• 43.163222-1.2381114 Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port — a common starting point for the French Way of the pilgrim route Way of St. James, to Santiago de Compostela in Galicia

The GR 10 long-distance footpath, which traverses the Pyrenees passing through these villages:

• 43.266667-1.3455 Bidarray — a great base on the Nive river for exploring the natural beauty of the Pyrenees and the rich Basque culture
• 42.933889-0.6347226 Lescun — renowned for its dramatic setting within the breathtaking Cirque de Lescun, a stunning natural amphitheater whose jagged limestone peaks makes Lescun a magnet for hikers, climbers, and anyone seeking awe-inspiring mountain scenery.

Biarritz-Anglet-Bayonne International Airport has connections from a number of European cities.