French Basque Country in one day

From Atlantic elegance to Basque rural tradition

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From

€225

French Basque Country in one day

From Atlantic elegance to Basque rural tradition

AVAILABLE DAYS: Every Friday
SCHEDULE: 9:00 am to 6:00 pm
GROUP SIZE: Maximum 6 people (semi-private)
GUARANTEED DEPARTURE: With a minimum of 2 people
PICKUP LOCATION: At the hotel in San Sebastián
TOUR LANGUAGE: Tour in english
INCLUDES: Travel in an 8-seater Mercedes Viano, hotel pick-up, English-speaking driver-guide throughout the day
DOES NOT INCLUDE: PLunch (direct payment), personal expenses, tips
MINIMUN AGE: 14 years old (private tours for families or friends available)
DISTANCE FROM SAN SEBASTIÁN: 80km approximately

French Basque Country

Combines coastal elegance, cultural history and the rural authenticity of the French Basque Country

We will pick you up at your hotel in San Sebastián at 9:00 am to begin an unforgettable day trip to the French Basque Country, a region that combines the elegance of the Atlantic coast with the charm of its rural villages.

Our first stop will be in Biarritz, an elegant coastal town that became a summer destination for the European aristocracy in the 19th century. We will stroll along its promenade to the iconic Rocher de la Vierge, enjoy the Atlantic views and experience its sophisticated atmosphere, where surfers, cafés and stylish shops coexist.

We will continue on to Saint-Jean-de-Luz, a picturesque fishing port with traditional basque style houses and cobbled streets full of life. We will visit the Iglesia San Juan Bautista (Church of Saint John the Baptist), the setting in 1660 for the wedding of King Louis XIV of France, an event that marked the history of the city.

The route will continue to Bayonne, the cultural capital of the French Basque Country. Its medieval quarter, its ramparts and the majestic Cathedral of Santa María, a World Heritage Site, reflect its strategic past as a border town. Here we will also discover its chocolate-making tradition, a 17th-century legacy that made Bayonne the chocolate capital of France.

At midday, we will enjoy lunch at a local restaurant, where French Basque cuisine is expressed in typical dishes made with seasonal products, such as cod, Espelette pepper, and the famous Basque cake.

In the afternoon, we will head inland to visit Espelette, famous for its facades decorated with strings of red peppers, a gastronomic icon recognised with a designation of origin. Strolling through its streets is to immerse yourself in the identity of the French Basque Country.

The tour will end in Ainhoa, considered one of the most beautiful villages in France. Its medieval layout, impeccably aligned basque style houses, pelota court and fortified church create a unique atmosphere where time seems to have stood stil

The return to San Sebastián is scheduled for around 6 pm, after a day that combines coastal elegance, cultural history and the rural authenticity of the French Basque Country.

An exclusive experience to discover the highlights of the French Basque coast and interior in a single day.

On which days is this tour available?

Every Friday.

What is the size of the semi-private group?

The group has a maximum of 6 people.

Is departure guaranteed?

Departure is guaranteed with a minimum of 2 people.

In which language is the tour conducted?

In English.

What type of vehicle is used for the tours?

Premium Mercedes Benz Viano Class V.

What are the tour hours?

From 9:00 am to 6:00 pm.

What does the tour include?

Travel in an 8-seater Mercedes Viano, hotel pick-up, English-speaking driver-guide throughout the day.

What is not included?

Lunch (direct payment), personal expenses, tips.

Where is the pickup location?

At your hotel in San Sebastián.

What is the minimum age to join the group?

The minimum age is 14 years old for the semi-private format, but there is always the option of taking the tour privately, just for you and your family or friends.

100% refund up to 72 hours before the start.

Curiosities

In Biarritz, Empress Eugénie de Montijo, wife of Napoleon III, ordered the construction of the Imperial Palace in the 19th century, turning this town into a summer resort for aristocrats and celebrities from all over Europe. Today, that palace is the luxurious Hôtel du Palais.
In 1660, Saint-Jean-de-Luz was the setting for the royal wedding between Louis XIV of France and Maria Theresa of Austria, daughter of King Philip IV of Spain. This marriage sealed the peace between the two crowns after decades of conflict. The Church of Saint John the Baptist still preserves the altar where the ceremony was held.
Bayonne is considered the chocolate capital of France. In the 17th century, Sephardic Jews fleeing the Spanish Inquisition introduced the tradition of chocolate making to the city, which remains one of its great gastronomic attractions today.
The small village of Espelette is world-famous for its red peppers, which are dried on the facades of houses and protected by a designation of origin. This condiment has become a symbol of Basque cuisine and is now exported all over the world.
Ainhoa is included in the list of ‘Les Plus Beaux Villages de France’ (the most beautiful villages in France). Its urban layout is due to its origins as a medieval bastide, a town founded in the 13th century to repopulate the border with Navarre.