Campsites in the Atlantic Pyrenees
In all, there are no fewer than 150 campsites in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques ready to welcome you as soon as you make your reservation. To help you choose, here are a few suggestions: Camping le Ruisseau ***** in Bidard has been a family campsite for over 50 years with a water park, an indoor swimming pool, a spa area with sauna and hammam, a mini-farm and comfortable accommodation. The Itsas Mendi campsite **** in Saint-Jean-de-Luz is located 400 metres from the beach and is a real oasis of tranquillity. The Abaya campsite ** has 100 rentals and is located 2.5 km from the sea for surfing, paddling and swimming enthusiasts.
Discovering the cities...
Biarritz and its empress
A seaside resort on the edge of the ocean and famous thanks to the Empress Eugénie in the 19th century, Biarritz has retained its elegance. Particularly welcoming with its thalassotherapy centres, its golf courses and its beaches, Biarritz invites you to stroll along the paths from Place Bellevue, on the edge of the ocean. During this iodine-filled stroll, the Virgin Rock and the Basta Rock with their footbridges are key places in the town where you can enjoy magnificent views, even exceptional at sunset over the Pyrenees. Finally, the splendid Art Deco building that houses the Museum of the Sea is suitable for the whole family, with its famous seal tank.
Pau, capital of Bearn
Situated at the foot of the Pyrenees and close to the ocean, the city of Pau benefits from a privileged location. The exceptional view of the Pyrenees immediately catches your eye. Pau invites you to walk up its famous Boulevard des Pyrenees, a real panoramic balcony which links the castle to the Beaumont Park, to get a better idea of this dynamic and young city where cultural and sporting events are often organised. The castle, classified as a Historic Monument, is an important site, known as the birthplace of King Henri IV of France, where you can discover, among other things, the flats of the Empress Eugénie and its superb Renaissance gardens. Finally, the Beaumont Park is a must-see in Pau, a green setting with its magnificent tree species.
Bayonne, a city of Art and History and of character
Popular for its summer festivals, Bayonne remains the capital of the Basque Country, but it is also famous for its rich architecture. Like the beautiful half-timbered facades of the tall, colourful houses along the quays, which are reflected in the Nive river and give the city its charm. Let's not forget the magnificent botanical garden located in the heart of the ramparts, the fortifications of the city are also remarkable. The walk should also include Sainte-Marie Cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and its magnificent Gothic cloister. Finally, don't forget to taste the specialities of the Basque country's most gourmet city, such as its famous ham... a delight!
... and landscapes
The Pyrenees National Park, wild and preserved
It is home to the highest peaks in the French Pyrenees and covers more than 45,000 hectares, including the south-western part of the Hautes-Pyrénées and part of the Pyrénées-Atlantiques. The Pyrenees National Park is a treasure trove for nature lovers, protected areas and hikers with its 230 high altitude lakes and hundreds of trails. Mountain-related exhibitions and information are available in the towns of Laruns or Etsaut at the Maison du Parc National des Pyrénées.
The charm of the Ossau valley
It is the great diversity of its landscapes as well as its heritage that make this quiet valley of Béarn so loved, where you can discover natural wonders at random while hiking.
The thermal spa of Eaux-Bonnes located above the village of Laruns is a real little paradise. Among the places not to be missed are the Pic du Midi d'Ossau for sportsmen and women and the ski resort of Artouste, but also the lakes of Bious-Artigues in the heart of the Pyrenees National Park, where you can go canoeing in the summer but also horse or pony riding. The lake of Ayous that you can admire after a long hike.
Finally, because it is impossible to mention here all the places to see in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques, we must nevertheless mention the villages of Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port, a charming medieval town on the route to Santiago de Compostela, Oloron-Sainte-Marie and its cathedral classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, La Bastide-Clairence, a village classified as one of the Most Beautiful Villages in France, as well as that of Ainhoa and the bastioned bastide of Navarrenx. Magnificent villages where it is good to stroll during a stay in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques.