Visiting Bayonne: our perfect day

Bayonne is the nearest city to the studio and one of our favourite outings. It is the largest town in the French Basque Country: half-timbered houses painted red, green and blue, historic ramparts and a genuine local atmosphere. One day gives you a good feel for it; two let you take your time.

Grand Bayonne

The historic heart of the city lies on the left bank of the Nive river. Start with Sainte-Marie Cathedral, with its Gothic spires and cloister, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site as part of the Way of St James. Then wander the pedestrian streets around rue d'Espagne and rue du Port-Neuf, full of small shops and chocolate makers.

Petit Bayonne

Across the Nive, Petit Bayonne is more down-to-earth and livelier in the evening, with bars and restaurants along the quays. It is home to the Basque Museum (Musée basque et de l'histoire de Bayonne) on quai des Corsaires, the best place to understand Basque culture and a good plan on a rainy day. It opens Tuesday to Sunday, 10 am to 6 pm, and on Thursdays from 1 pm to 8 pm (free from 6 pm that day, and on the first Sunday of the month). It is closed on Mondays, most public holidays and during the Fêtes de Bayonne.

The Nive quays and the ramparts

The Nive riverside, lined with colourful facades, is Bayonne's postcard view. For a wider perspective, follow part of the ramparts and gardens that surround the old town: a pleasant, free walk.

Chocolate and ham

Bayonne was one of the first French cities to make chocolate, back in the 17th century, and several historic chocolate houses still serve old-fashioned hot chocolate. On the savoury side, try Bayonne ham and browse the covered market hall (les Halles) on quai du Commandant-Roquebert, by the Nive, for local produce. It opens every day, mornings only: roughly 7 am to 1.30 pm on weekdays and until 2.30 pm Friday to Sunday (from 6 am on Saturdays).

Our perfect day

1. Morning: the market hall, then a coffee on the quays.
2. Late morning: the cathedral and cloister, then the streets of Grand Bayonne.
3. Lunch: pintxos (Basque tapas) or a set lunch menu in Petit Bayonne. Note that most French restaurants serve lunch from about 12 to 2 pm only.
4. Afternoon: the Basque Museum (closed on Mondays), then the ramparts walk.
5. Late afternoon: a hot chocolate before heading back to the peace and quiet of the studio.

Getting there from the studio

Central Bayonne is about 13 km away, 20 to 25 minutes by car outside rush hour, longer at peak times.

• By car: street parking in the old town is limited. The easiest option is a car park on the edge of town served by the free city-centre shuttle, or one of the paid underground car parks.
• By bus: line 24 of the Txik Txak network leaves from the Place Jean Rameau stop, about 500 m from the studio, and reaches Bayonne station in about 25 minutes, then Place Saint-André in Petit Bayonne a few minutes later. It runs Monday to Saturday, roughly once an hour, with no service on Sundays. Check times on txiktxak.fr, especially during school holidays.

All our tips for getting around are in getting here and around.

Visiting in July?

At the end of July, Bayonne hosts its famous five-day festival. If you are coming then, read our article on the Fêtes de Bayonne first.

Want to explore Bayonne and sleep somewhere quiet? The studio is about twenty minutes away: check our availability.