The Fêtes de Bayonne: enjoy the festival, sleep in peace

Every summer, Bayonne celebrates for five days and five nights. The Fêtes de Bayonne are one of the biggest festivals in France: brass bands, parades, cow races, concerts, and streets filled with people dressed in white and red. Here is what you need to know if you are visiting at that time.

When is the festival?

The Fêtes de Bayonne 2027 will take place from Wednesday 14 to Sunday 18 July 2027. The City of Bayonne has officially announced the dates on fetes.bayonne.fr.

If you remember the festival as an "end of July" event, note that since 2025 it has been held in mid-July, still from Wednesday to Sunday (9 to 13 July in 2025, 15 to 19 July in 2026). The Fêtes de la Madeleine in Mont-de-Marsan take place the following week.

Atmosphere and highlights

• The dress code: everyone wears white with a red scarf. Tradition says you only tie the scarf around your neck at the official opening; until then, wear it on your wrist or keep it in your pocket. The festival shop at the tourist office (Place des Basques) sells the outfit and accessories.
• The opening: on Wednesday, on Place de la Liberté in front of the town hall. When the bells ring, the mayor's guests throw the keys of the city's three districts (Grand Bayonne, Petit Bayonne and Saint-Esprit) to the crowd.
• King Léon wakes up: from Thursday to Sunday at noon, the giant Léon appears on the town hall balcony in front of a crowd dressed in white. This is the real start of each festival day.
• Children's day: on Thursday, with its own programme (King Léon's court parade, activities, and a "toro" run on wheels for kids).
• Cow races: on Place Saint-André, in the late afternoon.
• The illuminated parade: floats lit up at night, on Saturday and Sunday evening.
• The closing: on Sunday at midnight, on Place de la Liberté, with a last farewell to King Léon.

The detailed programme is published each year on fetes.bayonne.fr.

Good to know: in 2026, entry to the festival area cost €15 from Friday 10 am to Sunday midnight (free for under-16s and Bayonne residents), with a "Pass Fêtes" wristband. The 2027 conditions will be announced by the city.

Why stay outside Bayonne?

During the festival, accommodation in the centre is scarce, expensive and noisy day and night. Staying a few kilometres away means you can:

• join the festival as much as you like;
• come back to peace and quiet and actually sleep;
• pay a more reasonable price;
• park your car easily.

The studio, in a very quiet residential area of Saint-Martin-de-Seignanx, is about 13 km from central Bayonne, or 20 to 25 minutes by car outside festival time.

Getting to the festival and back

• Leave the car behind: traffic and parking are banned in central Bayonne during the festival.
• During the day, Txik Txak bus line 24 links the centre of Saint-Martin-de-Seignanx (Place Jean Rameau stop, a 7-minute walk from the studio) with Bayonne, with diversions around the centre during the festival.
• In the evening and at night: in 2026, Txik Txak buses ran from 5.30 am to 4 am (3 am on Sunday night), with special routes from 8.30 pm. Return buses to Saint-Martin-de-Seignanx, Tarnos and Ondres left from the Place des Basques bus station. You needed a "Bus des Fêtes" ticket: €8 for a day and a night, or €20 for a 5-day, 5-night wristband. The 2027 arrangements will be published on fetes.bayonne.fr and txiktxak.fr before the festival.
• Taxis and ride-hailing: book ahead, as demand is very high late at night.

All the details about line 24 and the bus network are in getting here and around.

Our tips

• Book early: accommodation around Bayonne goes very fast for festival week.
• Buy your bus ticket in advance to avoid queues in the evening.
• Stay hydrated: it is often hot in July.
• Plan a quiet day: spend it at the beach or in Biarritz.
• Outside festival time, Bayonne is well worth a relaxed visit too: see visiting Bayonne.

Coming for the festival from 14 to 18 July 2027? Check our availability as early as you can.