The horizon awaits you
Discover the Pyrénées-Atlantiques from our campsite
From our campsite in the Basque Country, discover a land of a thousand facets. The Pyrénées-Atlantiques offers an exceptional setting for a successful vacation in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques, between the Atlantic Ocean and the Pyrenean peaks. Tourism in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques attracts millions of visitors every year, who come to enjoy the diversity of landscapes, heritage and activities on offer in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques. Whether you’re looking for idleness, thrills or cultural discoveries, this department of the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region will satisfy all your desires.
Here, we live with you
Family activities in Pyrénées-Atlantiques
There’s no shortage of family activities in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques to keep young and old busy throughout your stay. The caves of Sare will introduce you to the atypical geology of a rather dry cave, a prehistoric habitat and the origins and mythology of the Basque people according to anthropologist José-Miguel de Barandiaran. A guided tour with sound and light will captivate the whole family.
L’Atelier du Chocolat in Bayonne will take you on a journey of discovery into the culture of cocoa. You’ll observe theproduction workshop before finishing with a gourmet tasting session. An ideal outing for those with a sweet tooth!
The Écomusée Basque Jean-Vier reveals the unique charm of Basquelinen and linen weaving, as well as the soul of the Basque region through decorations, evocations, sounds, lights and tastings.
The Musée de la Mer de Biarritz, housed in a superb Art Deco building next to the Rocher de la Vierge, presents a living spectacle with some 50 aquariums and several thousand species. The underwater seal tank and shark grotto offer unexpected nose-to-nose encounters with sharks.
Children’s activities in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques also include the Etxola animal park in Sare, Bid’a Parc in Bidart with its rides and inflatables, and the many educational farms in the hinterland. The Terra Aventura geocaching trail is a fun way to discover the villages.
Sports activities in Pyrénées-Atlantiques
Sports activities in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques appeal to enthusiasts of all levels. Basque pelota, the region’s emblematic sport, is played on the many village frontons. In Bidart, Guéthary or Saint-Jean-de-Luz, games are organized all summer long with the best chistera and barehand players.
Golf finds an exceptional playground here. The Ilbarritz golf course, France’s leading international training center, offers a 9-hole course facing the ocean. The Golf de la Nivelle in Ciboure and the Golf d’Arcangues complete the offer for golf enthusiasts.
The ski resorts of the Béarn Pyrénées (Gourette, La Pierre Saint-Martin, Artouste) offer downhill skiing, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing in winter. In summer, these same sites become paradises for hiking and mountain biking.
Outdoor activities in Pyrénées-Atlantiques
Outdoor activities in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques offer an unrivalled playground between sea and mountains.
Hiking is king in this département: the GR10 crosses the Pyrenees from east to west, the sentier du Littoral runs for 25 kilometers along the Basque coast from Bidart to Hendaye, and trails in the Ossau valley lead to sumptuous high-altitude lakes such as Ayous, Bious-Artigues and Artouste.
The ascent to La Rhune, the Basque country’s mythical mountain at 905 meters, can be made on foot or by taking the famous cogwheel train. The panorama of the French and Spanish coasts and the Pyrenees is unforgettable.
The Vélodyssée, a cycle path linking Roscoff to Hendaye, crosses the département and lets you discover the coast by bike. The Uhabia greenway in Bidart offers 6 kilometers of accessible cycling.
To find out more about the department’s riches, consult the Guide du Routard des Pyrénées-Atlantiques.
Basque feeling
Sensational activities in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques
Sensational activities in the Pyrenees-Atlantiques will delight adrenaline junkies. Paragliding is practiced from Pyrenean peaks such as La Rhune and Mondarrain, offering two-seater flights accessible to beginners.
Several parks offer accrobranche (tree climbing) activities, including Oihana in Sare, where tree courses dominate the valley. Canyoning in the gorges of Kakuetta, in Soule, allows you to descend spectacular waterfalls in a primary forest setting.
Rafting and hydrospeed are practiced on the gaves béarnais, these white-water mountain rivers. Via ferrata courses offer safe climbing sensations with views of the peaks.
Water sports in Pyrénées-Atlantiques
Water activities in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques benefit from an exceptional coastline and unspoilt rivers. Surfing is king on the Basque coast: Biarritz, Bidart, Guéthary and Hendaye are among the best spots in Europe. Numerous schools offer introductory courses for all levels.
Water sports activities in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques also include stand-up paddling, bodyboarding, sea kayaking and sailing. Scuba diving lets you explore the seabed of the Bay of Biscay.
In the mountains, high-altitude lakes such as Lac d’Artouste and Lac de Bious-Artigues offer bathing and canoeing opportunities in a grandiose setting. The natural pools and rivers of the Basque hinterland invite you to cool off on hot days.
Heritage and culture
Vacations in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques are also an opportunity to discover a remarkable heritage. The département boasts four “Plus Beaux Villages de France” in the Basque country and one in Béarn (Navarrenx).
The towns of Bayonne (Ville d’Art et d’Histoire), Pau (birthplace of Henri IV), Biarritz and Saint-Jean-de-Luz offer architectural treasures and fascinating museums.
The prehistoric caves of Isturitz and Oxocelhaya, listed as Historic Monuments, bear witness to human occupation since prehistoric times.
The local gastronomy alone is worth the trip: Bayonne ham, Espelette pepper, Ossau-Iraty cheese, Basque cake, Bayonne chocolate and Jurançon wines make up an unforgettable palette of flavors.
The traditional markets found in every village are lively places where smells, accents and smiles mingle.
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