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.
Cities
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Map of Pyrénées-Atlantiques
- 1 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.
- 2 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.
- 3 Bidart — practise traditional Basque pelota, trek along the coastal path, or relax on one of the six beaches
- 4 Hendaye — this town on the Spanish border has an old medieval Basque town on the hilltop, and a beach area, around 2 km apart
- 5 La Bastide-Clairence — a typical Basque village, founded in 1312
- 6 Larrau — a popular base for hikers and nature lovers looking to explore some of the most dramatic landscapes in the Pyrenees
- 7 Pau — in sight of the Pyrenees and home to a renaissance château. Enjoy a ride on the funicular railway.
- 8 Saint Jean de Luz — a group of villages with well preserved centres and Basque-style houses. St Jean is also a beach resort
- 9 Sainte-Engrâce — serves as a gateway to some of the most spectacular natural wonders in the Pyrenees, including a massive underground cave system
Other destinations
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- 1 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
- 2 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:
- 3 Saint-Étienne-de-Baïgorry
- 4 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:
- 5 Bidarray — a great base on the Nive river for exploring the natural beauty of the Pyrenees and the rich Basque culture
- 6 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.
Understand
[edit]Get in
[edit]Biarritz-Anglet-Bayonne International Airport has connections from a number of European cities.