Discover the Basque region of France

Surfer’s paradise, cultural pearl and rural beauty rolled into one, the French Basque Country offers a rich variety of landscapes to explore, from the remote mountains of the Pyrenees to dramatic coastline and beautiful beaches. Discover it all on a road trip with LeShuttle! 

Where is the French Basque Country and what is it known for?

The French Basque Country, or the Pays Basque, as it is known in French, is in the south-west of the country, a small corner defined by its proximity to the Pyrenees and the border with Spain, but also to the wild Atlantic coast. It shares much of the same culture with the larger Basque region of northern Spain, a heritage said to be one of the oldest in Europe. You’ll hear it in the Basque language, commonly spoken here, especially in rural areas, and see it displayed in the white and red timber framed buildings, and in pastimes like ‘pelota’, a sporting hybrid of lacrosse and squash, which is played publicly in most towns and villages. Huge street festivals, like the one in Bayonne, celebrate everything about Basque culture. Its mix of mountains, rolling hills, valleys and coastal resorts, gives the French Basque Country a unique appeal for visitors. 

Plan a road trip through the French Basque Country

Bayonne at sunset

Bayonne – History, chocolate and Basque traditions

If there is such a thing as peak Basque, it’s during the Fêtes de Bayonne – the 5-day street festival in July in the capital of the region. It has more than a touch of Pamplona about it, but no bulls run wild here – just thousands of locals, dressed in the traditional all-white with red neckerchiefs and belts, revelling in parades, music, food, drink and niche contests like espadrille throwing, cow races and the pepper omelette championship. It’s a very Basque carnival. Bayonne is also a historic centre for chocolate production. Jewish chocolatiers fleeing Spain and Portugal in the 16h century found refuge in Bayonne, and there are many chocolate houses around the city. You might have heard of Bayonne ham, cured with salt and Espelette peppers, so look out for this local delicacy. 

Biarritz – Surf, glamour and Atlantic views

The Grande Plage of Biarritz

Golden sands, fashionable chic and the surfing set make Biarritz one of the most iconic spots in the whole of the south of France. It was discovered by the French Emperor Napoleon III in the 1850s, flourished during the Belle Epoque – ‘the beautiful era’ before the First World War – and then became the surfing capital of Europe in the 1950s. As such there is a blend of vintage elegance and youthful energy about Biarritz, especially in the summer when the surfers take over the Côte des Basques, the main beach. The Grand Plage is another beautiful sweeping bay, less crowded with surfers, and the charming harbour, Port des Pécheurs, is full of delightful cafés and restaurants. Stroll along the promenade and marina at sunset, looking out over the Atlantic Ocean, and you’ll understand why Biarritz is the jewel in the crown of the French Basque coast. 

Saint-Jean-de-Luz – Harbour charm and coastal beauty

Around half an hour’s drive down the coast from Biarritz you’ll find the pleasant coastal resort of Saint-Jean-de-Luz. A historic fishing port, the town has a sheltered natural harbour, rare on this stretch of the Bay of Biscay, and is popular with French retirees. There is definitely a gentler pace to life here. The town’s major claim to fame is that in 1660, its relatively humble church hosted one of the most important dynastic marriages in history, between Louis XIV of France and Maria Theresa, the Infanta of Spain. 

The marriage was negotiated by the King’s chief minister, Mazarin, and took place in Saint-Jean-de-Luz because the French delegation were staying in the town during their meetings with the Spanish. The church of St John the Baptist seems remarkably simple for such an event, but does feature a sumptuous gilded wooden altarpiece. Also worth a visit is the ‘Maison de l’Infante’, a museum in an Italian style mansion on the harbourside where Maria Theresa stayed before the royal wedding.

Espelette – Famous peppers and Basque flavours

The tradition of drying the local pepper crop is a delightful sight in Espelette 

From a distance there seems nothing extraordinary about the red and white shuttered buildings of the small town of Espelette, in the rural heartland of the Pays Basque. But if you’re here in August or September, you’ll see that much of that red are actually lines of peppers, being hung to dry after harvesting. It’s an incredible sight, a tradition passed down the generations for centuries, after red peppers were first brought here from the New World. At the end of October the town holds a pepper festival, where the year’s crop is blessed and local peppers are sold – along with much else – at the festival market. Elsewhere in Espelette there is a castle with a free exhibition, but perhaps the best thing to do in Espelette is to dine outside at one of the local restaurants, and see Pays Basque life pass unhurriedly by in front of you.  

Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port - Gateway to the Pyrenees

The medieval bridge at Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port is often thronged with Camino pilgrims 

Literally meaning ‘the foot of the pass’, Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port is not only the gateway to the Pyrenees, but one of the traditional starting points of the Camino de Santiago, also known as the ‘Way of St James’. The 485-mile pilgrimage route on the ‘French Way’ to Santiago de Compostela in Spain is still undertaken by around 30,000 people every year, starting their journey in Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port. The historic town is dominated by the bridge over the River Nive and the Rue de la Citadelle, a cobbled lane that rises to the old town walls and citadel. It’s the kind of place where you’ll find hidden gem restaurants like ‘Le Chat Perché’, with its courtyard patio, cats and delicious local dishes. 

French Basque Country destinations for every type of trip

Plan your trip to the French Basque Country

Pays Basque is very proud of its traditions, especially Fêtes de Bayonne

How to drive from Calais to Pays Basque France

It takes around 10 hours to drive to the French Basque region from the LeShuttle terminal in Calais. It’s a journey of just over 650 miles, so you will probably want to do it over at least two days, with one overnight stop. The most direct route to Bayonne and Biarritz is via the A28, A10, and A63 motorways. A good place to stop for the night is Le Mans, which is just under half way to Pays Basque, or Tours, a historic city in the heart of the Loire Valley. 

When is the best time to visit the French Basque Country?

Late Spring or early Autumn is usually a good time, because the temperature will still be warm in the south of France, but the coastal resorts will be quieter and accommodation will be cheaper. Visiting the French Basque region in September and October has the added bonus of local festivals and events to celebrate the harvest season. The sea temperature will also retain some of its summer warmth for surfers and swimmers. 

How many days do you need in the French Basque Country?

5-7 days is probably enough time to explore the main highlights of this fascinating corner of south-west France, including the coastal resorts of Biarritz, Anglet and  Saint-Jean-de-Luz, and the cultural capital of Bayonne, before moving into the rural interior of the region. Espelette and Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port should be your main destinations of this section of your trip. 

Visit the French Basque Country with LeShuttle

Start your epic journey of discovery of the Pays Basque with a 35-minute crossing on LeShuttle from Folkestone to Calais.