A precious cultural heritage

Feel like a trip to the museum? Now that’s a good idea if you want to get to know the local history and traditions (Basque Museum, Museum of the Sea, Museum of the Beret, Eco-Museums of the Aspe Valley, Eco- Museum of Tradition in St Jean de Luz …)

Or what about a stroll around town? Bayonne, Biarritz, Saint Jean de Luz, Saint Jean Pied de Port, Salies de Béarn, Oloron Ste Marie, Pau – to mention just a few – are well worth taking time out to see.

Sare, Aïnhoa and La Bastide Clairence are among France’s loveliest villages. There are fortified villages, castles and monuments everywhere; most of them have a link to the characters who made the history of France or culture, such as Gaston Fébus, Henri IV, Louis XIV, the Musketeers, Edmond Rostand (Bayonne Cathedral, Pau Castle, Morlanne, Montaner, Villa Arnaga in Cambo les Bains…).

Let’s not forget the themed routes (Jurançon, cheese, gourmet Basque Country, crafts …), the Route des Seigneurs du Béarn et du Pays Basque (24 houses that were home to famous people).

If you have children, you might prefer to visit the caves of Isturitz, Sare or Bétharram, the gorges of Kakouetta, the Museum of the Sea in Biarritz or go up the Rhune or Artouste in a little train. There is always something for kids and adults alike! 

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10 good reasons to come to the Pyrénées Atlantiques