Discover the Basque Country
The Basque country is full of contrasts and stretches (in the south) from the Adour valley to the Atlantic coast, the Pyrénées and Béarn. It is divided in three provinces; the coastal Labourd province regroupes the well known ports from Bayonne to Hendaye, La Basse Navarre with St. Jean-Pied-de-Port as the administrative center and the province of La Soule at the foot of the Pyrénées. (The region's hidden villages, beautiful coastline and strong culinary traditions are all waiting to be discovered.)
The Basque country is a land which expands from the south of the Adour Valley between Atlantic Coast, Pyrenees and the Bearn area. It is split into 3 parts: the Labourd (including the well known cities of Bayonne and Hendaye), the Base Navarre and its main place Saint Jean Pied de Port and The Soule with its landscape of mountains around Mauleon.
Find the cornice, a big natural part of the French Basque Coast by taking the coastal path from where you will have different amazing views of the ocean and the hinterland.
Stop in all the well known villages such as Saint Jean Pied de port, Espelette, Ainhoa...etc.
You will be able to practice many sports such as surfing, parasailing, fishing, boat trips, mountain biking, climbing, rafting and many more.
You can also take part in all the activities which represent the Basque culture: the basque pelote, the Cesta Punta, the Main nue (bare hand), the Chistera, Basque games of strength, corrida, golf and rugby of course!
Gastronomy
Between the low lying and mountainous terrain, the Basque country offers lots of different dishes you can appreciate such as seafoods, goat cheeses, the famous espelette chilli, the Bayonne ham and chocolate, the Irouleguy wines, cider, the Patxaran, the Basque cake stuffed with almond cream and black cherries.
Main Events
You will find in the Basque Country many different religious and rural festivals.
- Saint Vincent Celebration in Ciboure and Hendaye;
- Cider festival in Bayonne
- The Sea Celebration in Guethary
- The Cherry festival in Itxassou
- The Madeleine Festival in Saint Palais
- The famous Festivals of Bayonne
- The Strength festival in Saint Palais
- The Fêtes Patronales (animations, shows...) in Urrugne and Sare
- The Chilli Festival in Espelette.
