Free walking tours in Bayonne and what to see

Must-sees

Bayonne is the capital of the French Basque Country and stands where the Nive flows into the Adour, a few kilometres from the sea. Grand Bayonne, the old town, revolves around the Gothic cathedral of Sainte-Marie, with two spires and a large cloister; it is part of the Routes of Santiago de Compostela in France World Heritage Site. Around it are shopping streets, arcades, chocolate and ham shops, and remains of the fortifications.

Across the Nive is Petit Bayonne, with façades of red, green or blue shutters reflected in the river and lots of bars. Here you will find the Basque Museum, devoted to the region’s history and customs. The Nive quays and the covered market are good places for a drink and a taste of local produce. Biarritz and the sea are a stone’s throw away, and Saint-Jean-de-Luz is half an hour away.

Free tours and guided visits

Civitatis lists no free walking tour, but it does have a guided tour of the old town and a food tour with tastings. There are also Segway tours of the city. For day trips, there are outings combining Bayonne, Biarritz and Saint-Jean-de-Luz, and another inland, with Espelette, Ainhoa and the Zugarramurdi caves, across the border in Navarre.

How long to spend

One day is enough for the cathedral, the two quarters of the old town, the Basque Museum and the quays. With two or three days you can use Bayonne as a base for Biarritz, Saint-Jean-de-Luz and inland villages such as Espelette and Ainhoa, all well connected by road.

Where to stay

Grand Bayonne, by the cathedral, and Petit Bayonne, across the Nive, are the most pleasant areas, with small hotels and apartments in old buildings. Next to the station, in the Saint-Esprit district, there are practical hotels if you arrive by train. If you prefer the sea, Anglet and Biarritz have plenty of choice a few minutes away.