Gastronomic Tour of the Basque Country & Navarre
An unforgettable culinary road trip
Before you set off:
Type of route
Car
150 kilometres
of adventure
5 days
of happiness
Season
All year round
General presentation
Discover the very essence of the French Basque Country and Navarre on this road trip brimming with history, flavour and unforgettable landscapes. From the medieval streets of Bayonne to the historic heart of Pamplona, by way of a whole string of exceptional Basque villages, you’ll uncover a region whose gastronomic and cultural heritage is nothing short of extraordinary. Cooking workshops, visits, dinners hosted by renowned chefs… One thing’s for certain: you won’t be bored, and you’ll eat like a king!
Stage descriptions:
Freedom first: this route can be tailored to your wishes, with the option of selecting specific stages.
Day by day
Day one
This first day is devoted to Bayonne, the gastronomic and historic capital of the French Basque Country. Among other highlights, you’ll explore the old town and its central market.
Day two
This second day takes you from Bayonne to Saint-Jean-de-Luz. You visit Biarritz, then Saint-Jean-de-Luz with its historic church, its local producers’ market and its famous fishing harbour.
Day three
This third day is given over to charming villages between Saint-Jean-de-Luz and Urdax. Basque cake-making workshops, markets, gourmet shops and leisurely strolls are all on the cards.
Day four
The Baztan valley takes centre stage on this fourth day. You discover the Château d’Amaiur, the Santxotena Museum, the village of Elizondo, and round off the day in Pamplona.
Day five
The fifth and final day of your trip is dedicated to exploring Pamplona.
Points of interest
1
Cathedral of Sainte-Marie de Bayonne
Information
An emblematic Gothic cathedral, Sainte-Marie stands out for its impressive stained-glass windows , its historic cloister and its majestic architecture. It constitutes a true religious and cultural symbol in the heart of Bayonne’s old town.
2
Central Market of Bayonne
Information
An emblematic market in Bayonne, ideal for tasting Bayonne ham, Basque cake, artisanal cheeses and regional wines in an authentic gourmet atmosphere.
3
Maison Dagourette, musée ethnographique
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An unmissable Basque Museum in Bayonne , housed in the Maison Dagourette. It traces the history, traditions and culture of the Basque Country through a rich ethnographic collection.
4
Church of Saint-Jean-Baptiste
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An emblematic church of Saint-Jean-de-Luz
Famous for its Baroque architecture, its exceptional altarpiece and its historic link with the marriage of Louis XIV and Marie-Thérèse of Austria in 1660.
5
Basque Cake Museum, in Sare
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A space dedicated to the history, making and tasting of this traditional cake, combining gastronomic culture and an interactive experience for visitors.
6
Monastery of Urdax and San Salvador Museum
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The historic monastery of Urdax, accompanied by the San Salvador museum, reveals monastic life , sacred art and the spiritual history of this Navarrese site.
7
Natural caves of Ikaburu
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Natural caves of Ikaburu at Urdax
Shaped by the Urtxuma river, these caves reveal impressive galleries and stalactites along an underground trail . A fascinating natural site that showcases the geological richness of the region.
8
Museum and Monolith of the Castle and Mill
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The museum and monolith of Amaiur commemorate the historic castle and mill, retracing local history, battles and the cultural heritage of the valley.
9
Fromagerie Autxitxia Gasnategia :
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The Autxitxia cheese dairy in Elizondo, a place for making and selling artisanal cheeses , offers a guided tour to discover the traditional production methods of the Baztan Valley.
10
Cathedral of Santa María la Real
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The Gothic cathedral of Pamplona, Santa María la Real stands out for its imposing façade, its cloister and its rich religious history, nestled in the heart of the old town.
By air
Biarritz (BIQ) – the closest and most convenient.
San Sebastián (EAS) – domestic and international flights.
Bilbao (BIO) – the best international connectivity.
Pamplona (PNA) – domestic flight connections.
By train
Bayonne TGV station (direct link with Paris).
Rail network to Hendaye (connection with Spain).
Pamplona connected to Madrid and Barcelona.
By car
Autoroute A63 (France).
Autoroute AP-8 (Espagne).
Passage frontalier de Dantxarinea / Urdax.
Pamplona
Fêtes de Saint-Firmin : du 5 au 14 juillet.
Roncal Valley
Almadía Festival (Traditional rafts) in Burgui: last Saturday of April.
Oloron-Sainte-Marie
Traditional market on Friday mornings in the old town.
Formigal and the Aragonese Pyrenees
Patron saint festivities in Sallent de Gállego (August).
Pirineos Sur Festival in Lanuza (international music festival, July).
Jaca
First Friday of May Festival : medieval historical re-enactment.
Medieval market in Jaca (August).
Apart from the main cities on this route, the other destinations remain off the beaten track. While the busiest period runs from June to September in Bayonne, Biarritz, Saint-Jean-de-Luz and Pamplona, the rest of the itinerary is free from mass tourism, offering welcome tranquillity even in high season.
Travel better, all year round
Travelling better means choosing tourism that is more respectful of the land and the people who bring it to life. Through these routes, the project invites you to slow down, to immerse yourself in the landscapes, to meet the locals and to value traditional know-how, while adopting responsible and sustainable practices.
Meeting points with North-South getaways
The Flavour Trail
Information
Day 4: Camping Asolaze in the Roncal Valley.
Days 5 and 6: Camping Ezcaba five minutes from Pamplona.
Day 7: Camping Baztan in the Baztan Valley.
Day 8: Camping Pyrénées Nature.
The Cultural Crossing
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Stage 3: IPARRALDE: Saint-Jean-de-Luz – Urdax
Stage 4: BAZTÁN VALLEY: Urdax – Pamplona
Stage 5: PAMPLONA Stage 6: Roncesvalles: Pamplona – Roncesvalles
Stage 7: SALAZAR VALLEY: Roncesvalles – Ochagavía
Stage 8: RONCAL VALLEY: Ochagavía – Irati – Isaba
Stage 9: BELAGUA: Isaba – Oloron-Sainte-Marie
The Pyrenees:
High Summits Edition
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Hendaye – Perpignan – Week 1
- Pamplona
- Abodi
- Jaca
- Lumbier
