Discover the Basque Country, between sea and mountains
From our campsite in the Basque Country, you have a front-row seat to explore one of France’s most beautiful regions. The Basque Country stretches from the Pyrenees to the Atlantic Ocean, with 35 kilometers of coastline featuring cliffs, unspoilt coves and fine sandy beaches, backed by a verdant hinterland dotted with villages of authentic charm. Here, three provinces – Labourd, Basse-Navarre and Soule – make up a territory with a unique character, where culture, gastronomy, sport and nature mingle at every turn.
From Saint-Jean-de-Luz to Biarritz, from Bayonne to the inland Basque villages, every day of your vacation is an invitation to discover the many facets of the Basque Country. The Itsas Mendi campsite, set in 9 hectares 400 metres from the ocean, is the ideal starting point for your adventure. To prepare your outings and discover the richness of the region, consult the official Basque Country tourism websites: theSaint-Jean-de-Luz tourist office, the Basque Country tourism guide and the Pyrénées-Atlantiques departmental tourism committee.
places to visit
Must-see sites
A visit to the Basque country means discovering an exceptional heritage , where every stop has its own share of surprises in store. Just a few minutes from the campsite, Saint-Jean-de-Luz charms you with its colorful harbor, its Saint-Jean-Baptiste church – where Louis XIV was married in 1660 – the Maison de l’Infante and the Maison Louis XIV. Along the coastal path, you’ll reach Pointe Sainte-Barbe for a spectacular panorama of the bay and the Socoa fort.
Climb to the top ofLa Rhune, the Basque country’s highest peak at 905 meters. On foot (allow 2 hrs 30 for the round trip) or aboard the famous little cogwheel train from the Col de Saint-Ignace, the reward is the same: a breathtaking 360° view of the ocean and the Pyrenees.
Heritage lovers won’t want to miss the Château d’Urtubie, a medieval monument still inhabited today, located 3 kilometers from Saint-Jean-de-Luz. Further south, the château-observatory of Abbadia in Hendaye overlooks the Basque corniche with its neo-Gothic facades. In Bayonne, classified as a Ville d’Art et d’Histoire (City of Art and History), stroll through the narrow streets of Petit Bayonne, admire Sainte-Marie Cathedral and discover the city’s chocolate workshops, a specialty for centuries.The Basque Country boasts four villages labelled “Most Beautiful Villages in France”: Ainhoa, Sare, Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port and La Bastide-Clairence. Red and white half-timbered houses, pelota pediments, arts and crafts workshops: each village is an immersion in Basque traditions.
The best things to do in the Basque Country
Exploring the Basque Country also means letting yourself be carried away by a multitude of outdoor activities and gourmet discoveries, all accessible from the campsite.
On the ocean coast, the beaches of Mayarco, Lafitenia, Cenitz and Erromardie are renowned spots for surfing, bodyboarding or simply swimming with the family. Water sports enthusiasts will also find plenty of opportunities for paddling, sea kayaking, scuba diving and sailing.
On the mountainside, the hiking possibilities are endless. The Corniche Basque, between Saint-Jean-de-Luz and Hendaye, offers a spectacular coastal trail along remarkable cliffs. The Mondarrain (749 m) offers a 1.5-hour family loop, while the Kakuetta gorges take the more adventurous through a vertiginous canyon. Cyclists can follow the Vélodyssée along the coastline, or take to the inland paths for electric bike or mountain bike rides.
In terms of culture, don’t miss theBiarritz Aquarium, the Sare caves at the foot of the Rhune and the Bayonne Basque Museum. Enjoy a game of Basque pelota at the Fêtes de la Saint-Jean in June or the Saint-Jean-de-Luz International Film Festival in October.
When it comes to gastronomy, tourism in the Basque Country is also a treat for the taste buds: veal axoa, Basque chicken, chipirons à la luzienne, Basque cake, Ossau-Iraty ewe’s milk cheese, Espelette PDO chilli pepper, Bayonne ham, Bayonne chocolate… The region’s local markets and restaurants will introduce you to unique flavors. And, to extend the experience, don’t hesitate to bring back a few local products in your suitcases: sometimes the best vacation souvenir is the one you get to taste!
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