Bayonne
Two rivers run through it…
Situated at the confluence of the River Adour and the River Nive, Bayonne is one of those towns which will definitely impress you. Firstly by its traditions and customs, since it is internationally well-known for its summer festivals, and for its gourmet food too, led by the famous Bayonne ham and the dishes which centre around this AOC (PDO) product at the heart of French culinary culture.
Bayonne also has some serious geographical assets to be proud of ! At the junction of Pays Basque and the Landes, it is the last big town before the Spanish border between the Pyrenees, the Landes forests and the Atlantic Ocean. Its roots go back to Antiquity and it has lived through many ages and fashions without losing either its character or its deeply ingrained epicureanism.
Finally, Bayonne has some fine heritage buildings including fortifications built by Vauban in the 17th century and the urban style of the typical Basque houses with their lime-washed walls and red half-timbers.
The home of the « Peña Baiona »
The Hôtel de Ville (town hall) in Bayonne is an emblematic heritage building to which locals are strongly attached. It stands on the famous Place Centrale des Fêtes de Bayonne and is in the front row of all celebrations when the town becomes the capital of Basque culture.
The imposing, perfectly proportioned, Neo-classical building is in a lovely position as its windows look out over the confluence of the Nive and the Adour. This strategic location was carefully chosen to allow maritime activity to be monitored from the nerve centre of the town.
Dating from 1842, designed by Charles Vionnois, Bayonne Hotel de Ville has had many functions over the ages including a theatre, archive centre, library and museum of painting. Perched on its roof are six allegorical statues representing the economic and artistic activities essential to the town at the time : navigation, astronomy, industry, art, commerce and agriculture. They were made in 1842 by master metalworker Denonvilliers assisted by local artists."
Bayonne is a city that shines through its history made up of successive conquests and desires, but also through its territory offering many cultural and sporting perspectives. In this, you will quickly soak up the fervor of the city around its rugby club, the famous Aviron bayonnais.
Rowing will also be discussed since the centuries-old practice of this sport on the Nive and Adour is a sacred possession of the city. Basque pelota will also be there, in many surrounding communities, since like the Basque language, this discipline, ardently protected and handed down from generation to generation, continues to flourish. As such, the factory of chisteras (wicker gloves) in Biarritz is essential.
The beaches of the Corsairs or the Ocean are only 7 kilometers from the historic center of the city and promise you a most grandiose panorama in addition to a feeling of total freedom. To the north, going up towards Dax, it is the Landes that await you and more precisely the Landes National Park as you continue your journey towards Mont-de-Marsan. Further south, Biarritz will open its doors to you and give you direct access to the ocean and the breathtaking sensations of a surf or bodyboard session.
Useful information Access & Transport
Bayonne is accessible by the A63 / E70, also called the "Basque Coast Motorway" from Bordeaux, as an extension of the A10 to the Spanish border or by the A64 from Toulouse. Address & contact 1 avenue du Maréchal Leclerc 64100 Bayonne Phone. : 05 59 46 60 60
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Citybreak
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