Basque gastronomy
Don't miss the exceptional gastronomy!
- Seafood,
- Sheep's milk cheese,
- The very “trendy” Espelette pepper,
- Bayonne ham,
- Irouleguy wine,
- Cider,
- Patxaran, or pacharan (pronounced patcharane), a Basque country liqueur made from macerated sloe berries in aniseed-flavoured alcohol.
- Chocolate,
- Basque cake, filled with almond cream or black cherries
The Basque Coast
The coast after the vast beaches of the Landes becomes very craggy and indented from Biarritz, with a succession of cliffs all the way to Hendaye, some up to 50-metres high.
Biarritz:
Visit the lighthouse of Pointe Saint Martin; the central beaches along the seafront to the Rocher de la Vierge, passing by the fishing port; the rich and winding avenues in the town centre and the beautiful and luxury boutiques of well-known brands; take a tour in Bellevue Casino; discover the Musée de la Mer on the Esplanade du Rocher de la Vierge.
Bayonne:
Visit Grand Bayonne, the theatre which is also home to the town hall, and its famous square - Place de la liberté - where the famous Bayonne festival starts each year; the old castle; the cloister; the cathedral; Porte d'Espagne; the ramparts; the banks of the Nive which are wonderful in the morning during the market when they are drenched in sun. Lastly, discover petit Bayonne, on the right bank of the Nive, a very popular neighbourhood, with the Basque museum, the Bonnat museum and the new castle.
Saint jean de Luz:
Visit the magnificent bay and its famous beaches; take a walk along the seafront which crosses the fortifications erected starting in 1785 to protect the bay and the town from the huge storms, which partly destroyed it year upon year. You should know that Saint Jean de Luz, "Donibane Lohitzun" in Basque, means "Saint John of the Marshes".
And also:
Espelette, La Rhune, Cambo les Bains, Hendaye and the Basque coast.
At the foot of the Pyrenees:
Isturitz and Oxocelhaya caves, one hour by road.
2 hours away by road, Kakuetta Gorges and Bétharram Caves,
Source: www.guide-du-paysbasque.com
