📍 France

BASQUE COUNTRY: PEAKS, TRADITIONS AND OCEAN CLIFFS

Peppers dry scarlet in autumn. Basque flags, mountain peaks, Atlantic thunder. Ancient traditions meet Pyrenean passes, fully customizable.

≈ 11
Days
332
Km
10
Stops
📖 6 min read 🔄 Last updated: 2026-01-17

Surf at Biarritz, wander Saint-Jean-de-Luz, discover Espelette pepper, walk the Camino from Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port, visit Bayonne and its festivals. Pyrénées-Atlantiques, authentic Basque Country.

Your day-by-day itinerary

1
Day

Biarritz

atlantic cliffs pink villa echo

Biarritz - Photo 1Biarritz - Photo 2Biarritz - Photo 3Biarritz - Photo 4Biarritz - Photo 5
5 photos
Day 1
🔍

Discover

1
Rocher de la Vierge.
2
Grande Plage.
3
Museum of the Sea.
🎯

Activities

→
Surf.
→
Cité de l'Océan.
→
Bay.
+1 Optional activities
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 17 km
Travel time: 21min
2
Day

Saint Jean De Luz

fishing harbor harbor charm

Saint Jean De Luz - Photo 1Saint Jean De Luz - Photo 2Saint Jean De Luz - Photo 3Saint Jean De Luz - Photo 4Saint Jean De Luz - Photo 5Saint Jean De Luz - Photo 6
6 photos
Day 2
🔍

Discover

1
Saint-Jean-Baptiste Church (Louis XIV wedding).
2
Louis XIV House.
3
Typical Basque village (Most Beautiful Villages).
🎯

Activities

→
Tapas tasting.
→
La Rhune train (panoramic summit).
→
Basque pelota fronton.
+1 Optional activities
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 24 km
Travel time: 28min
3
Day

Sare

mountain village basque tongue

Sare - Photo 1Sare - Photo 2
2 photos
Day 3
🔍

Discover

1
Pepper village.
2
Pepper drying sheds.
🎯

Activities

→
Surrounding Basque villages.
→
Way of Saint James.
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 127 km
Travel time: 2h33
4
Day

Espelette

red peppers autumn harvest

Espelette - Photo 1Espelette - Photo 2Espelette - Photo 3Espelette - Photo 4Espelette - Photo 5Espelette - Photo 6
6 photos
Day 4
🔍

Discover

1
Saint-Jacques Gate (Compostela).
2
Citadel Street.
3
Salt Museum.
4
Salt fountain.
🎯

Activities

→
Nive.
→
Moon Bridge.
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 33 km
Travel time: 40min
5
Day

Saint Jean Pied De Port

pilgrimage gates mountain threshold

Saint Jean Pied De Port - Photo 1Saint Jean Pied De Port - Photo 2Saint Jean Pied De Port - Photo 3Saint Jean Pied De Port - Photo 4Saint Jean Pied De Port - Photo 5Saint Jean Pied De Port - Photo 6
6 photos
Day 5
🔍

Discover

1
Fortified bastide (first in France).
2
Saint Mary Cathedral (UNESCO Compostela).
3
Sainte-Croix District.
🎯

Activities

→
Béarnaise architecture.
→
Thermal spa.
→
Gave d'Oloron (salmon fishing).
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 42 km
Travel time: 50min
6
Day

Salies De Bearn

salt springs ancient brine

Salies De Bearn - Photo 1Salies De Bearn - Photo 2Salies De Bearn - Photo 3Salies De Bearn - Photo 4
4 photos
Day 6
🔍

Discover

1
Château de Pau (Henry IV).
2
Boulevard des Pyrénées.
3
Funicular.
4
Saint Mary Cathedral.
🎯

Activities

→
Aspe Valley.
→
Ossau-Iraty cheese.
→
Béarnaise houses.
7
Day

Navarrenx

fortress ramparts medieval strength

Navarrenx - Photo 1Navarrenx - Photo 2Navarrenx - Photo 3Navarrenx - Photo 4Navarrenx - Photo 5Navarrenx - Photo 6
6 photos
Day 7
🔍

Discover

1
Basque Museum.
2
Ramparts.
3
Saint-Germain Church.
🎯

Activities

→
Beaumont Park.
→
Petit Bayonne.
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 29 km
Travel time: 34min
8
Day

Oloron Sainte Marie

cathedral gates pyrenean passage

Oloron Sainte Marie - Photo 1Oloron Sainte Marie - Photo 2Oloron Sainte Marie - Photo 3
3 photos
Day 8
🔍

Discover

1
Saint Mary Cathedral (UNESCO Compostela).
2
Sainte-Croix District.
🎯

Activities

→
Chocolate shops.
→
Bayonne ham.
→
Béarnaise houses.
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 24 km
Travel time: 29min
9
Day

Pau

castle terrace mountain panorama

Pau - Photo 1Pau - Photo 2Pau - Photo 3Pau - Photo 4
4 photos
Day 9
🔍

Discover

1
Château de Pau (Henry IV).
2
Boulevard des Pyrénées.
3
Funicular.
🎯

Activities

→
Museum of Fine Arts.
→
Beaumont Park.
→
Hippodrome.
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 29 km
Travel time: 35min
10
Day

Bayonne

basque soul river confluence

Bayonne - Photo 1Bayonne - Photo 2Bayonne - Photo 3Bayonne - Photo 4Bayonne - Photo 5Bayonne - Photo 6
6 photos
Day 10
🔍

Discover

1
Saint Mary Cathedral.
2
Cloister.
3
Ramparts.
4
Basque Museum.
🎯

Activities

→
Petit Bayonne.
→
Chocolate shops.
→
Bayonne ham.
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 7 km
Travel time: 8min

🗺️ Itinerary map

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🛡️ Travel advice - France

Check official recommendations

UK Foreign Travel Advice →

❓ Frequently asked questions

What weather should you expect?

Spring (April-June): Perfect weather, blooming countryside, ideal for all regions, moderate crowds, excellent value, romantic atmosphere.

Summer (July-August): Warmest weather, peak tourist season, highest prices, crowded attractions, perfect for Mediterranean coast, festival season.

Fall (September-October): Harvest season, comfortable temperatures, fewer crowds, wine regions spectacular, excellent photography, good value.

Winter (November-March): Christmas markets, ski season Alps, fewer crowds, lowest prices, cozy indoor attractions, cultural experiences.

How many days should I plan?

We believe you will enjoy this itinerary best by dedicating between 9 and 13 days. The next step will allow you to adjust the duration of your stay.

What to discover in France?

Cultural capital with incredible cuisine, world-famous attractions, and diverse regions from Paris to Provence. Experience artistic heritage, wine culture, and sophisticated lifestyle. The country offers excellent infrastructure with cultural depth and culinary excellence. France provides complete cultural experiences with historical significance and modern sophistication in easily accessible destination.