The top 3 towns in the region that you should definitely visit: Salies-de-Béarn with its saltwater springs and thermal baths, Sauveterre-de-Béarn, a medieval town classified as a ‘Petite Cité de Caractère’ (small town with character), and Navarrenx, a member of the ‘Plus Beaux Villages de France’ (most beautiful villages in France) with its innovative 16th-century city walls.

We start with Sauveterre-de-Béarn, which is a good hour's drive from our base camp in Bidart.

Once upon a time, there was a land in Béarn, perfectly located between the sea and the mountains... the Béarn des Gaves.

Here, nature exudes charm all year round with its ever-changing facets, atmosphere and colours. You can live, laugh and enjoy unspoilt nature, culinary delights, unique sights and the warm hospitality of the locals all year round.

And then there's the birthplace of the Blonde d'Aquitaine, as we learned: a girl? A beer? No, of course, a cow!

Sauveterre-de-Béarn is a former fortress built on a rocky outcrop, guarding the Gave d'Oloron valley, the Basque Country and Spain, just a few kilometres to the south. On our first walk through the village, we discover its historical heritage and learn about the legend of Queen Sancie.

It's hot, so we decide to just go to the river and the island in it for today. It's a good decision, because the place offers impressive views – even if you're just standing at the foot of the rock on which the town centre rests.

The return journey has another highlight in store for us: the Béarn saltworks, where the salt used to make Bayonne ham comes from. This is a must-see for next year.