Euskadi!

My world tour across Basque Country

The Basque Country is located in northern Spain and southwestern France and is known for its green hills, rugged Atlantic coastline and culture.

Hop on my world tour through the Basque Country, to meet the people, experience nature, visit places of art and history – and, of course, discover the cuisine of this unique region.

My world trip is not a round trip this time either, but I have chosen the Camping Le Pavillon Royal in Bidart as my base camp, a cute village on the Atlantic coast known for its beautiful beaches and surfing culture.

Sundowner at the Atlantic Coast | Image : © Bert Schwarz

From here, I take trips to Anglet, where I watch the renovation work on the Fregatte "L'Herminone", or to Bayonne to go for walks and visit the Musée de Pays Basque to get an impression of the life and culture of the region and the city.

I also get to see how the famous Bayonne ham is made and learn about the art of crafting chocolate.

Biarritz, Villa Belza | Image : © Bert Schwarz

Biarritz is the elegant seaside resort of the Basque Country. The town was a favourite destination of European royalty and has retained a touch of glamour to this day. Places of interest include the Rocher de la Vierge, a rock with a statue of the Virgin Mary, the Aquarium opposite, the Phare de Biarritz, a 19th-century lighthouse, the Villa Belza, a neo-Gothic villa by the sea, and the Cloche du Plateau de l’Atalaye, a bell on a hill that used to announce the arrival of whalers.

Railway to the La Rhune summit | Image : © Bert Schwarz

Another must-see is La Rhune, the Basques' 905-metre-high local mountain. This is where the border between France and Spain runs, and strictly speaking, you are already in the “other country” when you visit the restaurants at the top. You can climb the mountain on foot, which is what many people do. To avoid any conflicts with the pottocks that roam freely here, I took the historic rack railway up and enjoyed the panoramic view from the Pyrenees to the coast.

Villa Arnaga, Cambo-les-Bains | Image : © Bert Schwarz

In Cambo-les-Bains, a small spa town, I visit the Villa Arnaga. It is the home of Edmond Rostand, author of "Cyrano de Bergerac". Rostand's way of life is impressive, and so, albeit rather by chance, a connection is made with the Périgord region and Bergerac. Rostand's inner conflict between his longing for solitude and simplicity and his penchant for honour and luxury characterise his house and the grounds.

Grottes de Sare | Image : © Bert Schwarz

Not far from the small village of Sare lie the caves of Sare. They are located in Mount Atxurio, a huge limestone massif. The Leza cave has been preserved largely in its original state from 2 million years ago. It consists of an atypical geological formation. Huge rooms, a vestibule that is one of the largest in the Aquitaine region, and traces of the everyday life of our ancestors can be seen here.

Saint-Jean-de-Luz | Image : © Bert Schwarz

Culture, numerous events, a varied landscape, modern yet traditional restaurants, sheltered beaches and surfing are all excellent reasons to spend an unforgettable time in Saint-Jean-de-Luz and the surrounding villages. And when there is something to celebrate, old traditions that are still practised by the local population come to the fore. At some point, I didn't even notice that I didn't understand a word of Basque...

Hendaye | Image : © Bert Schwarz

The last stop on the French side is Hendaye, a town at the mouth of the Bidassoa River, which forms the border with Spain. Hendaye has a long sandy beach that is ideal for families, as well as a casino and a Résidence Croisière, an Art Deco building from the 1930s.