The Basque Country: Beaches & Mountains

The Basque Country (called Euskadi in the Basque language, and in French Pays Basque) spreads from southwestern France into northern Spain. As well as having its own language, it also has a unique climate and a very distinct cultural identity. We think our travelers will be enchanted with this region!

The French Basque Country is unlike the rest of France. The Basque people (who call themselves euskaldunak) are very proud of their history and heritage. Although people in the French Basque country can speak French, many people also speak Euskara

 

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Our Self-Guided Tours in Basque Country

On our Basque Country tours, we'll help you discover this wonderful and unique culture - and give you plenty of opportunities to interact with the locals.

Duration
16 days
Price
US$ 5240
Region
in Basque Country, Dordogne & Bordeaux

This self-drive itinerary will take you to the South West of France, from the Basque coastline to authentic Dordogne, ending in the bustling city of Bordeaux.

Towns & Villages
Gourmet Food
Countryside
Duration
13 days
Price
US$ 3980
Region
in Basque Country, Carcassonne & Provence

This unique self-drive itinerary will have you cross the South of France from its Western coast in the Basque Country to beautiful Provence, with its cicadas and lavender fields.

Wine Tasting
Heritage & History
Countryside
Duration
10 days
Price
US$ 3440
Region
in Bordeaux, Basque Country & Carcassonne

From the Unesco city of Bordeaux and the surrounding world-famous vineyards, to the mythical beach towns of Biarritz and St Jean de Lu z, feeling the fresh air of the Pyrenees foothills, and ending in the mysterious medieval town of Carcassonne . . . what a program!

Wine Tasting
Towns & Villages
Countryside
Duration
20 days
Price
US$ 5940
Region
in Paris, Loire Valley, Dordogne & Basque Country

From Paris to Toulouse, this trip will allow you to explore these unique regions by the backroads. Take the time to visit some of the hidden castles of the Loire Valley, enjoy duck confit in Dordogne, and discover the typical villages of the Basque Country.

Towns & Villages
Countryside
Duration
20 days
Price
US$ 5920
Region
in Bordeaux, Basque Country, Carcassonne & Dordogne

This loop from Bordeaux will take you on a journey to the South West of France: vineyards, mountains, cliff-hanging fortresses and rolling hills. You will enjoy all the diversity of this unique part of France.

Wine Tasting
Towns & Villages
Duration
16 days
Price
US$ 5020
Region
in Basque Country, Carcassonne & Provence

From the rugged Atlantic coast to the azur-colored Mediterranean Sea – experience the diversity of the South of France.

Wine Tasting
Towns & Villages
Art & Museums in France
Duration
13 days
Price
US$ 4350
Region
in Carcassonne, Basque Country & Dordogne

Explore the South West of France: fortresses clinging to the cliffs in the Cathar Country and Dordogne, many “most beautiful villages of France”, and a very rich and unique gastronomy. This is where to experience the authentic France.

Heritage & History
Gourmet Food
Countryside
Duration
26 days
Price
US$ 7570
Region
in Provence, Basque Country, Dordogne, Loire Valley & Paris

This itinerary will take you from South to North, following some of the most typical and beautiful scenic roads in France. We recommend flying into Marseille airport.

Heritage & History
Towns & Villages
Duration
26 days
Price
US$ 7320
Region
in Bordeaux, Dordogne, Basque Country, Carcassonne & Provence

When the South of France is mentionned, many travelers think of Provence. But there is so much more to discover between the South-West and the South-East of France. This 26 day itinerary is designed to give you a very complete tour of the southern part of France, enjoying the gastronomy, heritage, wine, villages, and scenic roads . . . the best that France has to offer.

Wine Tasting
Gourmet Food
Basque Country

How to get to the Basque Country ?

The main stations on the French side of the Basque Country are Biarritz and Saint Jean de Luz. Both of these stations are accessible via TGV from Bordeaux and taking between 2 and 2.5 hours. There is also a small airport in Biarritz, which sees a few seasonal international flights. For a more reliable connection, it is better to fly in to Bordeaux or Toulouse and then travel by car.

We are sure that once you have finished your Basque Country tour, you will want to see more of France. Why not consider adding DordogneBordeaux or Carcassonne to your itinerary? These are all less than a half-day drive from the Pays Basque.

basque landscapes

Basque Country Landscapes

 

Basque Country Geography

A beacon of beauty, the Basque Region captivates all who visit. Every landscape is like a postcard, from the dramatic cliffs to the sandy beaches of the Bay of Biscay. In just one hour you can go from the foothills of the Pyrenees Mountains to the Atlantic Coastline. The Basque coast gets some strong waves, making it a popular spot for surfing and other watersports. Biarritz, Hendaye, Anglet, Saint-Jean-de-Luz and Ciboure are among the most famous surf beaches in France.

surfers in biarritz

Surfers on Biarritz beach - surfing is part of the Basque culture

 

Straddling the Franco-Spanish border, the widest part of the Basque country lies on the Spanish side, including the Pais Vasco and Navarre. Most of the places in our self-drive tours in the Basque Country will be on the French side or close to the French border. A stay in the French Basque country therefore allows you to tour the entire region, from Bayonne to San Sebastian.

From the area of St Jean-de-Luz, you are less than 30 minutes by car from the beautiful seaside town of San Sebastian. This town is famous for its promenade, which is home to numerous gourmet restaurants and high-end boutiques.

With regards to climate, the Basque Country is a mixture of sunshine and rain, which is why the vegetation here is always such a lush, vivid green. You’ll need to bring a hat, sun cream and a waterproof jacket on any excursions you do.

 

Basque Culture and traditions

The Basque cultural identity is very distinct and on our tours you'll learn more about the Basque customs and traditions. The first notable feature of the Basque Country is its language, Euskara. Although stretches across the Franco-Spanish border, Euskara bears no similarity to French or Spanish. In fact, it bears no proven relation to any other language, and as such is Europe's only language isolate. There were fears of the language dying out but conservation efforts have increased language use through extra teaching in schools. While being on a self-drive tour in the Basque Country, you will notice that unlike other parts of France, English is not widely spoken in the Basque Country. It will therefore be a good opportunity to practice your French and Spanish. That said, all of our B&B hosts speak conversational English.

 

Another interesting feature of Basque cultures is its plethora of colorful festivals. Both religious festivals and other festivals include plenty of music, dancing, singing, force basque and pelote basque games. These are a wonderful way to experience Basque culture if you are in the area when there's a festival.

beret basque

Traditional Basque Beret

 

If you would like to learn more about Basque culture and traditions, we recommend the Basque Museum in San Sebastian. The museum has thousands of artefacts dating back millennia, showing how the Basque people's daily life has evolved.

 

The Basque Cuisine

If you consider yourself a foodie then you’re in for a real treat when you visit the Basque Country. This region has an exceptionally high concentration of restaurants with Michelin stars, making it a truly gourmet destination. The local gastronomy of the Basque Country is a combination of French and Spanish dishes, including pintxos (tapas). 

pintxos basque country

Traditional Pintxos (Tapas) you enjoy with a glass of wine in bars

 

You will soon discover that the food served in Basque restaurants is mouth-watering. This is partly thanks to the Basque Country's fantastic markets and local food stores. Local produce includes pork from the Aldudes Valley, Ossau-Iraty sheep cheese and Espelette peppers used in the delicious Piperade recipe

The Basque region even has its very own wine with a small appellation called Irouléguy. The micro-climate in the Basque Country produces grapes that result in a rather characteristic wine.  We warmly recommend trying a glass or two on your trip. We will tell you the best places to go for Basque wine-tastings in the area.

 

Typical Basque Villages

On our Basque Country tours, you will discover San Sebastian which is incredible, but we want to give you an insight into Basque culture away from the tourist crowds. A day trip to one of its beautiful villages is a wonderful way to experience it. Espelette is one of the most well-known villages, due to its famed peppers.The houses here are built in the traditional Basque style and the streets are lined with boutiques and artisanal markets selling homemade chocolates, among other delights.

 

ainhoa

Basque houses in Ainhoa 

 

Saint-Jean-de-Luz is another village worth visiting if only for its beautiful beach. This golden, sandy beach is centrally located and perfect for enjoying the sun and the gentle sound of the sea. Golf fans will be pleased to know that this region is one of the best in France for golf. There are various courses within close proximity of Saint-Jean-de-Luz which we can recommend.

Around 40km (30 miles) east of Saint-Jean-de-Luz is Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port. This town is historically significant because it's a strategic point on the Camino de Santiago de Compostella pilgrimage route. The town is relatively quiet and specializes in catering to the pilgrims who pass through.

We will also take our travelers off the beaten track to lovely villages they would not find on their own. Some examples include Sare and Zugarramurdi, which are in breath-taking valleys away from the main tourism routes. You will see some beautiful traditional architecture and magnificent decorative facades. We're confident that you will love these villages as much as we do.

 

Handicrafts from Pays Basque

Do you want to take some unique souvenirs home with you after your trip through France? The Basque Country has you covered.

There is a strong weaving tradition in Euskadi and a popular gift to take home is a pair of authentic Basque sandals or some traditional household linen. You will even get to visit the workshop where they are made.

household linen from basque country

Traditional household linen fabric

 

Alternatively, there are a number of other local traditional handicraft places that open their doors to travellers and help you to better understand the way they work and their history.

Products available in these boutiques include include leather goods, ceramics, pottery, cutlery and food of course. Buying a traditional product in the Basque Region allows you to take a part of this fascinating region home with you, together with great memories from France.

 

Where to Stay in the Basque Country

Whether you like cities or the countryside, we will plan for what suits you best. If you wish to stay in a bigger town, Saint Jean de Luz is without a doubt, your best bet. Now, during the very high season, it is impossible to park and drive around.

For those who like the quietness of the countryside, we have selected several welcoming B&Bs where you will feel at home and appreciate the calm after a busy day visiting.

 

FAQ about the Basque Country

Ninety percent of the Basque population lives in the four Spanish provinces of  Araba (Álava), Bizkaia (Biscay), Gipuzkoa, and Nafarroa (Upper Navarre). The rest lives in the three French provinces of Lapurdi (Labourd), Nafarroa Beherea (Lower Navarre), and Zuberoa (Soule).

The Basque region is famous for having its own Basque language (Euskara, which many Basque people speak). The Basque Country also has a unique climate due to its position between the Pyrenees mountains and the Atlantic coast. There are many wonderful hiking and photography opportunities in the Pyrenees with its stunning landscapes and panoramic views across to the ocean. There's a fantastic surfing scene on the beaches of the Basque Country, near Biarritz. The region is also well-known for its delicious Basque cuisine and its distinct cultural identity, which you may observe especially in the Basque villages. The Basque architecture is also very distinct.

We have written about typical Basque cuisine on our blog - click through to find out more! Some of our favorite dishes include pintxos (pieces of bread loads with delicious ingredients) and Basque fish stew! The Basque Country also has its own unique cheese, ham, black cherry jam and Irouléguy wine.

We think the best way to explore the Basque Country is by car. That way you can travel at your own pace, spend extra time in the places you really like, and discover hidden gems away from the well worn tourist trail!

Visit other French regions

Brittany

Alsace

Lyon

Somme

Champagne

Verdun

Normandy

Provence

Dordogne

Loire Valley

Paris

Bordeaux

Our Travelers’ Reviews

Mervyn
My wife and I and two friends decided we would like to visit France and by chance I found Emilie's website and initiated an online conversation with her over a year ago. We really did not know what we wanted to do, nor where we wanted to go and so our planning became a moving feast, most ably supported by Emilie. How she ever put up with our …
Wendy
I was going to plan a trip for my daughter and I and quickly got overwhelmed. We didn't want to go on those tours that have you going for morning until night. We wanted to be able to take our time and enjoy our trip. That's when I found Emiliee. We wanted to stay for 3weeks and really experience France, and Emiliee did just that. Her guide books …
Kate
Dealing with Emilie is like having a personal concierge. The 10 day trip was perfect. She allowed time to relax and we were able to experience France like locals. This is our 8 th trip to France but after this tour, it will not be our last. Thank you Emilie!

Our Travelers’ Photos

Rory & Mike
From the US
Enjoying a romantic moment
Harry
From Australia
In the War Cemetery in Normandy
Steffi & Jeff
in Chenonceau castle....romantic !
Jim
From Australia
At the top of the Rhune mount in the Basque Country
Shelley, Andy, Dianne & Bob
from the US
On the Eiffel Tower in Paris
Naz & Mounir
On a side-car tour in the Loire Valley
Rose & Bryan
from the US
in Chenonceau castle, Loire Valley
Kathy & Steve from the US
Having dinner at the B&B in the Loire Valley
Chris, Diane, Teresa & Lorelea
From the US
In Epernay, in the Champagne region
Nathalie from Australia
...found a truffle in Provence !
Sue & Chris
Romantic night in Montecarlo
Clemmer & Dennis
From the US
After folding the US flag in the Meuse Argonne War Cemetery - Eastern France