France travel guide: a week-long road trip along the beautiful Basque Coast

France, , , 43 Comments

To this day, crazy adventures fill me brim with joy and travelling the world with someone who shares my dreams and supports my growth is definitely one of them. Although our trip to France wasn’t really a crazy adventure, it was a very fulfilling trip, and it was something we planned and prepared for.

The magnificent stretch of the Basque coast that curves from one charming fishing village to another one and brings glimpses of the glistering ocean – the kind you can rest your eyes upon for hours had us excited about returning to France.

We started off by renting an automatic from Hertz situated at Biarritz Airport followed by a few days in Biarritz, and then headed out to explore nearby villages and towns, Bayonne, Hossegor and Capbreton.

Read More: A Wee Guide To Some Of The Best Things To See And Do In Brittany, France

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Did you know that the Landes forest is the largest man-made forest in Western Europe?

Road trip details & essentials

This blog post covers a road trip where we drove from Biarritz to Bayonne, Saint-Jean-de-Luz, Capbreton and  Hossegor.

Rather than bomb through the area in a couple of days, we dedicated 10 full days to allow us to slowly cherish its charming towns and peaceful pine forests. Our road trip was full of new and fun experiences we are eager to share with you.

If you are looking for a fantastic road trip with fun itinerary ideas around France then Our Crossings has you covered – just browse through this post and learn about the most popular attractions in each place.

We decided to spend five days relaxing in Biarritz town and to pick up our rental when we were due to check out, this way avoiding unnecessary rental and parking fees.

Renting a car and driving around the Basque region is pretty much straightforward. You’ll find plenty of car rental companies at the airport and the roads are well marked.

  • When to go | The best time to visit Europe would be from May to October – this weather frame offers pleasant temperatures and limited rainfall – with June and September being the warmest and driest month.

Duration: seven to ten days

  • Route length: 110 kilometres
  • Driving Time: 2-3 hours
  • Start: Biarritz – Anglet – Bayonne Airport
  • Stops: Biarritz, Bayonne, Capbreton, Hossegor
  • Finish: Biarritz – Anglet – Bayonne  Airport

Read More: Your Ultimate Guide To Planning The Best Biarritz Holiday In France

 

#1. Start off by exploring Biarritz

Our first fortnight was in Biarritz, and if you ask me, Biarritz was fantastic. But fantastic hardly sums up all the things we had a chance to experience.

Though the town’s reputation has often been illustrated as a place for wealthy aristocrats and trademarked by the passage of Napoleon III, Biarritz lovingly endorses voyagers with varied life stories.

Guys with low-maintenance haircuts and surfboards under their arms keep the town young and fluidly blend with fast-speeding Maserati cars and new shops selling Chanel and vintage Hermès mixed with gritty residential areas.

Read More: A Short Guide To The Best Things To See And Di In Beautiful Bayonne, France

Top things to do in Biarritz

  • Visit Biarritz Lighthouse | This beautiful lighthouse built on such a perilous edge, awash with perfectly curled waves has been greeting local fishermen since 1834. A visit to Biarritz Lighthouse where for a small fee you can climb to the very top of it to enjoy incredible views from a different vantage point over the city and surrounding coastline is well worth the effort.

  • Learn to Surf | If you are visiting Biarritz which is known as a surfing paradise and if you wish to feel the power of the ocean under your feet while having heaps of fun, sign up for a surfing lesson at one of the surf schools and get advice from people who know what they are doing. Learning to surf is a time-consuming process, but once you know the basic technique, you can start practising.

  • Explore its markets | Stop at L’Ecaillerie and join the queue for a glass of wine and their famous oysters or other shellfish coming straight from the Bay of Bisque. Or, pop into another part of the Las Halles market for fresh bread and cheeses. You can also try Izarra – a liquor drink made of 16 herbs – which is a very “Green” but traditional Basque drink that has a peppermint taste.

Read More: France Travel Guide: Best Things To See And Do In Beautiful Nice

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Biarritz has its origins as a fishing port, but over the years has evolved into a lovely seaside resort.
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Biarritz is a town filled with surf schools and surf shops.

#2. Travel to Saint-Jean-de-Luz

Combing through the old photos always makes me itch for new places and even though we have a terrible tendency to go back to the same cities, we always add nearby villages and towns we haven’t visited before.

Saint-Jean-de-Luz is a lovely fishing village located at the mouth of Niavelle River, just 18km from Biarritz, and given its beauty, it was an easy decision to incorporate a visit to this charming seaside town where macaroons are the most typical sweets.

Situated on the French Atlantic coast, Saint-Jean-de-Luz offers pretty beaches, heaps of history and a beautiful old quarter.  As the village is located only 10km from the Spanish border, it makes for a great day trip if you are on holiday in San Sebastian.

While there were quite a lot of similarities when compared to Biarritz, Saint-Jean-de-Luz is a much more relaxed and family-oriented place where you can celebrate special moments, big or small.

Read More: 6 Reasons Why You Should Travel By Train At Least Once In Your Lifetime

Top things to do in Saint-Jean-de-Luz

  • Old town | Walk around the old town and admire beautiful half-timbered houses built by wealthy merchants and shipowners. Feast your eyes on romantic windows, and gauzy blinds and try to imagine what life was here back in the 17th century when Saint Jean de Luz was the centre for Basque corsairs.

  • Beaches | One of the town’s main attractions is its beautiful beaches. They are clean, wide and perfect for families with young children. Go for a walk along the Promenade and take in the views of the crescent-shaped bay and pretty houses.

  • Rue Gambetta | The main pedestrian street in town is filled with shops selling local produce, sweets and chocolates.

  • Port | Make your way to the Port which was once Frances’s largest and see the fishing boats coming and going. For great quality fish and seafood restaurants look no further than the little streets surrounding the Port.

  • Church of St. John Baptist | Located on Rue Gambetta, the Church of St. John Baptist is one of the critical and visually striking places to visit in town. This is where the royal wedding between Louis XIV and Maria Theresa of Spain took place back in 1660.

Read More: Some Of The Best Things To Do in Tartu: The Free, The Fun and The Tasty

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Pretty streets bursting with character.
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Enjoy the scenery and pretty views from a coastal path.

#3. Wander around Bayonne

Bayonne, situated at the northernmost point of the French Basque Country, is a  city that feels more like a large town. A large colourful and welcoming town infamous for Bayonne ham and chocolatiers.

With the afternoon sun finally shining, we eagerly started exploring the capital of the French Basque Country. If this is your first time in Bayonne, make sure you stop at the Tourist Information Bureau to pick up a few maps and tips.

Top things to do in Bayonne

  • Sainte Marie Cathedral | Given that it’s a UNESCO site, it should not come as a surprise that this was the most beautiful place we had a chance to visit in Bayonne. The imposing spires reaching high up in the cloudy spring sky as we approached one of the narrow streets left us feeling intense excitement.

  • Château-Vieux | Not too far from the cathedral is Château-Vieux (“Old Castle”). Although this place isn’t open to the public, you can still view it from outside just to see what a former residence for the governors of the city looks like.

  • Les Halles | Discover local produce that Bayonne has to offer by visiting the Less Halles market. Here, under one roof you’ll find fish, meat and tasty gâteau Basque (“Basque cake”). Make sure you visit early on a day because the markets close around 1.30 pm.

  • Jardin Botanique | Located next to a tourism office is Bayonne’s botanical gardens – relatively small yet beautifully laid out and perfect if you need a few minutes of rest.  Admission to the Jardin Botanique is free of charge, and here you’ll find a lovely Japanese garden as well as a children’s playground.

  • Basque Museum | Located in a 16th-century townhouse, Basque Museum Bayonne is a great place to learn about its culture and traditions from its 3,000 exhibits.

Read More: A Short Guide to the Best Things to See and Do in Beautiful Fuerteventura

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Bayonne has withstood fourteen states of sieges and has a rich historical heritage.
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Filled with slender Basque houses, Bayonne is a fantastic place to explore and photograph.

#4. Relax at Capbreton

Upon our arrival in Capbreton, which is situated in the Landes department, clouds blew through to reveal a beautiful sunset. The soft colours of the sunset are always amazing and provide an opportunity to appreciate the coastline in a new light.

From its seaside allure, with semi-submerged Second World War bunkers and traditional fish markets, there’s also the barrelling waves of La Piste and a very photogenic wooden pier that was built by the orders of Napoleon III.

When it comes to sightseeing, in Capbreton you won’t find big tourist attractions. Instead, it’s a place where you can relax and appreciate those little things in life.

Top things to do in Capbreton

  • Go surfing | For experienced surfers – to make the most of your surf session, get advice from the locals. For learners & beginners- rent your board from a qualified surf school and learn to catch your first waves under supervision.

  • Sign up for yoga | Reward yourself with a relaxing yoga session to improve your flexibility and balance and increase your muscle strength. Yoga is a great activity for your whole body and it’s one of the ways to improve your health.

  • Go cycling | Stretch your legs and enjoy the beautiful landscape while biking through one of many cycling paths around Capbreton. While cycling is yet another great way to keep fit, one of its benefits also includes improved mental well-being. So, rent a bike, spend some quality time outdoors and see the world from a different perspective.

Read More: 8 Amazing Reasons Why You Should Visit Edinburgh At Least Once

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Capbreton is a perfect place to watch a sunset.
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Go for a walk on the pier overlooking the Port.

#5. Unwind in Hossegor

Hossegor, a beautiful beach resort only 30 km from Biarritz is a world-renewed surfing mecca and the town’s main attraction for locals and visitors alike is surfing.

Divided into three areas  – La Centrale and the beachfront, Hossegor town and the lake and Soorts-Hossegor and a commercial zone about 4 km inland –  Hossegor can easily become your favourite town. Think – French bakeries with amazing pastries, plenty of surf shops, fantastic bike paths and surf events.

Hossegor’s well-earned reputation among the world’s best surfers brings them together on Quicksilver Pro France where spectators can rub shoulders with the world’s surfing elite.

Top things to do in Hossegor

  • Surf | Hossegor in France isn’t known as a surfing mecca for nothing. Wherever you go on the coast which is known for being the longest uninterrupted stretch of sandy beach in Europe, you’ll find fantastic surf spots suited for beginners and more experienced surfers. For beginners – Les Estagnots and Les Bourdaines offer easy access and plenty of equipment rentals, for advanced – check out La Nord or La Gravière.

  • Shop | Stroll through the town centre along the Avenue Paul Lahary and Avenue du Touring Club, and you’ll find Billabong, Quicksilver and other famous surf brand outlets selling the latest fashion trends and surfboards. Check out Collective Soul, located on 93 Avenue des Tisserands in Soorts-Hossegor for decorations, vintage and upcycling.

  • Bike | For non-surfers biking is a fantastic way to explore the area. In Hossegor, you can rent a Fat Bike or even an electric bike for very fair prices and discover the beauty of the Landes region.

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Ice cream sampling in Tante Jeanne, Hossegor.
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Hire a bike and explore rural trails around Hossegor.

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Now, over to you!

Have you been to Hossegor or Capbreton? Let us know in the comments!

Let us know if you are plotting a visit to Hossegor or Capbreton and have travel-related questions!

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Our Crossings follows the daily adventures of Latvian expats living in Sligo as they surf and explore the world

43 thoughts on “France travel guide: a week-long road trip along the beautiful Basque Coast”

    1. Hi, Juliette. We love the Basque Country too; it pretty much has everything you would need for a fantastic holiday as the ocean, mountains and pretty little villages are within easy reach and not to mention nearby Spain with San Sebastian just an hours drive away. Thanks for stopping by and have a good day. Aiva

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  3. You guys are the masters of “slow travel.” These places look lovely. France is such a great and diverse country, isn’t it? I don’t blame you for wanting to return. I would spend two weeks in France fully blindfolded as long as I could get their pastries every day! Ha!

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    1. I have to agree with you guys – France really is a great and diverse country to explore and photograph and it pretty much has got it all – Medeterinanan beaches, alpine villages, fantastic castles and lots of lots of chocolate. You could easily spend months exploring it and yet not to see everything it has to offer. Have a good day. Aiva

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    1. France is a beautiful country, and we are grateful for every opportunity to explore it. We are yet to hike trough its mountain trails so I can easily see us returning one day for more family adventures. Thanks for reading and have a good day. Aiva

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    1. We don’t speak French, yet we make a conscious effort to learn a few basic phrases and a couple of new words every time we travel to France. Getting by with English is also possible, but you’ll find that even if the French do speak English, they might not, either because they are too shy to do it or because they are feeling taciturn. It’s also a good idea, in addition to essential phrases, to learn about their costumes and social behaviour before jumping on the plane too!

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    1. A Basque region is a fantastic place to explore, and it’s one of the corners of France we can highly recommend to fellow travellers. Years ago, we made the worst mistake by going to Paris, and only Paris and thus couldn’t really grasp the uniqueness of France as a country. That changed once we left the bright lights of the city behind and immersed ourselves in exploring quiet villages and coastal towns. Thanks for reading and have a good day. Aiva

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    1. Thanks so much, Mark! I actually had to bribe Ericeira with more ice cream just to get her to sit still for a photo! Exploring the Basque country is always so exciting, and by revisiting France numerous times we learned that we don’t have to travel far to travel, we learned that travelling is all about experiencing new things and creating lasting memories. Thanks for stopping by and have a good day. Aiva

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    1. Same here, Christie, same here. Sunsets are one of the reasons why we always go on family adventures near coastal villages and towns, not knowing what the setting sun has in store is so exciting. Have a good day. Aiva

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  9. I lived in France for four years, and I’ve never been to the Basque Coast (only on the Spanish side). Biarritz looks fantastic and calm, probably less so than the over-crowded beaches in the Côte d’Azur! Beautiful photos, and I look forward to more adventures from you soon.

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    1. Thanks so much, Rebecca, Biarritz can get very busy during the summer month and can become quite hectic too, but there are plenty of little nooks and crannies where you can escape to for some peace and quiet. We are looking to explore more of the Spanish Basque Coast now, we’ve heard it is an equally fantastic place to explore. Thanks for stopping by and have a good day. Aiva

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    1. Thanks so much for your feedback! We wanted to create a space to share everything about the good things in life and to be a wonderful source for cool ideas and advice if you’re planning a trip. Thanks for stopping by and safe travels. Aiva

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  13. Outstanding! Beautiful photographs! You are certainly an amazing photographer! It must be quite a lovely place that I must visit. I am of Basque heritage so the Basque country is very important to me, in Spain and in France. Thank you for such a wonderful post!

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    1. Hi, Francisco and thanks so much for your lovely words, you must be very proud to have genes from one of the oldest ethnic groups in Europe in your DNA! Biarritz is one of our happy places in Europe, and I find it challenging to keep the excitement to a bare minimum when writing blog posts about it, but anyone that visits this part of France is bound to see its beauty and charm! Thanks for stopping by and have a good day.

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    1. Hi and thanks for visiting! The Basque country is one of those places we can go back to again and again and always find something new and exciting to do. We are yet to travel around the Spanish side, so I guess another trip is on the cards soon. Have a good day. Aiva

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  15. I was struck by your opening about crazy fun adventures versus fulfilling, planned trips. I have felt the same way about our last couple of trips to France and Germany. You sure have captured a beautiful region. Thanks for all the details; I’m sure I’ll be referring back. While in Normandy, a fellow cyclist mentioned that this part of France and down into Spain makes a great cycling route.

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    1. Thanks so much, Biarritz and surrounding towns make for a perfect gateway! One of the reasons why we love returning to France is its diversity and travelling with a three-year-old in tow we eventually have to be more prepared, although we do manage once in a while to squeeze in spontaneous adventures. Would love to read all about your cycling adventures in Normany – that sounds like a memorable trip! Have a good day and safe travels. Aiva

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    1. Travelling through France in the 80s must have been a trip to remember. I’m glad our family started travelling before the smartphone and satnav area and hade a chance to find our way with the help of locals pointing us in the right direction! We had a wonderful trip exploring quieter and not so famous corners of France and would love to go back one day for more. Thanks for stopping by and have a good day. Aiva

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    1. Thank you very much! Although we encountered a fair share of bad weather and heavy rainstorms, we still managed to enjoy all the natures wonders while on a road trip through the Basque Country. Thanks for stopping by and safe travels. Aiva

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  18. Beautiful and very informative. Thanks for the lovely posts OurCrossings. These will gonna be very useful if one day we are going to plan a tour to Europe. Have a nice day!😊

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    1. Hi, Indi and you re welcome. We were delighted to explore nearby villages and towns while on holiday in Biarritz – the Basque Coast is unlike any other place we have visited so far, and it’s one of those charming corners of the world we can highly recommend to fellow travellers. Have a good day and thanks for stopping by. Aiva

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  19. Pingback: France travel guide: a week-long road trip along the beautiful Basque Coast — OUR CROSSINGS – Jean Mouret

    1. I miss travelling and seeing my friends and family that live around Europe too. We haven’t been anywhere for a year now, but once we are healthy and happy, everything else can wait for now. Dublin looks set tor another lockdown with a decision on tough new measures expected later today. That means no non-essential travel outside Dublin for 3 weeks as well as museums and galleries are going to close. Thanks for stopping by and have a good weekend. Aiva

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    1. Offering fun activities for all age ranges, Capbretone are connected by extensive cycle lanes that stretch to local Seignosse and as far away as the city of Bayonne. This was our first time visiting the region and it turned out to be a lovely place to go for beach and woodland walks. Farmers markets were another highlight we particularly enjoyed in Capbretone and so were the close proximity to other French cities. Thanka for stopping by and have a good day. Aiva

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