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Things to do in Bayonne

Our most recommended things to do in Bayonne

Bayonne: Private Walking Tour and Chocolate Tasting

1. Bayonne: Private Walking Tour and Chocolate Tasting

Experience the history and heritage of Bayonne with a passionate official guide just for you and your friends or family. Explore ancient defensive walls, hidden medieval streets, and stunning half-timbered traditional architecture on this 2.5-hour walking tour. Along the way, your enthusiastic and knowledgeable guide will regale you with great stories of people who lived there. You will hear of stories ranging from ancient Roman soldiers to the chocolate makers who made this a sweet place to live. You will later end your tour by tasting the delicious chocolate of Bayonne and discovering the fascinating story of how the city became the first chocolate capital of France. Bayonne is a city brimming with history and flavor, and this is your chance to explore it in an exclusive, personalized, and unique way.

Biarritz, Bayonne, and Basque Country: Private Driving Tour

2. Biarritz, Bayonne, and Basque Country: Private Driving Tour

Enjoy a private trip with a driver-guide explore the Basque Country. Visit lovely villages and areas including Saint Jean de Luz, Ciboure, Socoa, the Corniche Basque, Ainhoa, Espellette, Saint Jean Pied-de-Port and Biarritz. Saint Jean de Luz  is a lovely little fishing port on the Basque coast just South of Biarritz. First, drive to Ciboure, Socoa, and along the Corniche Basque. The road is on top of this magnificent stretch of cliffs and coastline and leads south from the Vauban Fort of Socoa to Hendaye on the Spanish border. Next, veer away from the coast and up into the foothills of the Pyrenees, towards the lovely French Basque mountain town of Ainhoa. After Ainhoa, head to Espellette, a Basque town with traditional colors and architecture. The houses have a special decoration, they’re covered with garlands of red peppers. Then it's time to leave Espelltte and drive to Saint Jean Pied-de-Port. This medieval fortified city is still surrounded by a parapet wall, and plays an important role for pilgrims. It’s the last stop in France along the Camino de Santiago de Compostella. After visiting these mountain towns, return to the Atlantic coast to visit Biarritz; before returning to Saint Jean de Luz or the point of departure.

From San Sebastian: Biarritz and Bayonne Minibus Tour

3. From San Sebastian: Biarritz and Bayonne Minibus Tour

This tour is designed to accommodate a larger group, up to 22 people in a minibus. Crossing the river Bidasoa allows us to reach an area of the Basque Country with a great number of contrasts to discover. On this tour we will be able to stroll through Bayonne and see its cathedral and its market, breathe the local atmosphere in the shopping streets of the Grand Bayonne and admire the intersection of the rivers Nive and Adour. We will also move to the stately Biarritz, a 19th century imperial summer city, where its casino and palace still maintain the spirit of the time. The tour is conducted in bilingual (English and Spanish), so our guides will speak both languages simultaneously. Approximate itinerary: 9:00 Pick up and departure from San Sebastian 10:00 Arrival in Biarritz: Casino, Rocher de la Vierge, Hotel du Palais and Sainte Eugenie church and lunch 12:30 Arrival in Bayonne: Sainte Marie cathedral, Port Neuf, city hall and market. 3:00 Drop off in San Sebastian

From San Sebastian: Biarritz & Basque Coast Tour with Lunch

4. From San Sebastian: Biarritz & Basque Coast Tour with Lunch

See the towns along France’s Basque coast on this full-day tour from San Sebastian. Visit fishing villages like Saint Jean de Luz, or villages on the beach such as Biarritz where people from all around the world spend their summer enjoying Basque gastronomy and surfing.  Begin with a stop in Bayonne, a charming small city full of historic buildings and a quaint downtown. Admire harbors with fishing boats as well as popular surfing spots.  In Biarritz, enjoy watching the activity of the young surfers in front of the high-end casinos and traditional restaurants. Walk with your guide through the villages and travel along the coast by private transportation.   During the tour, your group will make a stop for lunch at a local restaurant. Enjoy a 2-course lunch at the restaurant with dessert included. The tour ends with drop-off at your hotel. 

Bayonne: Private Walking Tour

5. Bayonne: Private Walking Tour

Meet your guide by Place de la Liberté in central Bayonne, where you will enjoy a beautiful view of the Nive and Adour rivers and learn why the Romans built a military camp here in the fourth century. Then you will set off on your 2-hour walking tour. Immerse yourself in the history of the feudal fortress of Bayonne, Chateau Vieux, the Bayonne Cathedral Unesco World Heritage site, and the medieval heart of Bayonne, Place Pasteur. Along the way, your guide will point out examples of beautiful traditional half-timbered architecture and regale you with stories about life in medieval Bayonne. You will visit the defensive system of Bayonne, including hidden remains of the Roman wall and the charming Petit Bayonne quarter, where Basque identity is always present. Then walk to the Chateau Neuf and the Saint-Andre church, before returning to Grand Bayonne. During the tour, you will discover why Bayonne became the capital of chocolate, and walk by the hundred-year-old chocolate shops on the famous Rue du Port Neuf.

Bayonne: Biarritz Private Guided City Tour

6. Bayonne: Biarritz Private Guided City Tour

Meet your guide by Place de la Liberté in central Bayonne and start with a beautiful panoramic view of the confluence of the Nive and Adour rivers. Then set off on your 2-hour walking tour of the city, where you will immerse yourself in the history of the medieval hearth of Bayonne. Visit the defensive system of the fortress city, including hidden parts of the Roman ramparts, its feudal fortress: "Le Chateau Vieux", and the stunning Bayonne Cathedral (Unesco World Heritage site). Your guide will point out examples of beautiful traditional half-timbered architecture and regale you with stories about past and present life at Bayonne. You will discover why Bayonne became the French capital of ham and chocolate. After the walking tour of Bayonne you will jump on the local zero emission tram bus to get to Biarritz. During a 25 minutes ride, you will learn about the current life of the BAB (Bayonne-Anglet-Biarritz) urban area. Once in Biarritz you will start with a short visit to the market before enjoying free time to taste the local delicacies on your own. After lunch, meet your guide back at the market and set off on a walking tour of Biarritz: "queen of beaches and beach of kings". See the legendary Hotel du Palais, the elegant Art-Deco Casino Municipal, and the glamourous Grande Plage, as your guide entertains you with stories about the city’s glorious past and vibrant present. Take in the stunning coastline as you admire gorgeous Belle Époque and art deco buildings. Explore the charming "Port des Pecheurs" and the "Rocher de la Vierge", and marvel at the panoramic views of the Basque coastline. After the walking tour, you will take the tram bus back to Bayonne with your guide to end a fascinating journey.

Other Sightseeing Options in Bayonne

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What people are saying about Bayonne

Overall rating

4.7 / 5

based on 18 reviews

The guide picked us up at the apartment and we were off for a very nice day.... This is the third trip with this company and it did not disappoint! The guide arrived promptly and we were off. On the journey, he pointed out different interesting areas and talked about the history. All the cities were lovely, but Biarritz was our favorite. The city was lovely and the ocean was beautiful.... We had a fabulous lunch of crepes on top of the hill overlooking the waves with a nice breeze. Our guide Emmanuel, gave us plenty of time to shop for chocolate and souvenirs. We have already booked out next trip in Madrid with this company!

The guide Ruben was very knowledgeable. Had a terrific trip even though the weather wasn't quite with us. We visited three nice cities

A wonderful experience! The French Basque region is spectacular. Very grateful for the walk and for the treatment.

Wonderful, knowledgeable guide. The city has a fascinating history and unusual architecture.

Great guide Amazing tasting Everything ok as usual