Gastronomic Tour of the Basque Country and Navarre
An unforgettable culinary journey
Before you start:
Type of route
car
150 kilometers
of adventure
5 days
of hapiness
Season
All year round
General overview
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
ethnographic museum
Information
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
Information
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 Museum of San Salvador
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The historic monastery of Urdax, together with the museum of San Salvador, 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 in Urdax
Shaped by the Urtxuma river, these caves reveal impressive galleries and stalactites along an underground trail steeped in mystery and natural beauty.
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
Cathédrale 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 plane
Biarritz (BIQ) – the closest and most convenient.
San Sebastián (EAS) – domestic and international flights.
Bilbao (BIO) – the best international connectivity.
Pamplona (PNA) – hub for domestic flights.
By train
TGV station in Bayonne (direct connection to Paris).
Rail network to Hendaye (connection to Spain).
Pamplona is connected to Madrid and Barcelona.
By car
A63 Highway (France).
AP-8 Highway (Spain).
Dantxarinea / Urdax Border Crossing.
Pamplona
Saint-Firmin Festival: July 5–14.
Roncal Valley
Almadía Festival (Traditional Rafts) in Burgui: the last Saturday in April.
Oloron-Sainte-Marie
Traditional Market on Friday mornings in the old town.
Formigal and the Aragonese Pyrenees
Patron Saint Festivals in Sallent de Gállego (August).
Pirineos Sur Festival in Lanuza (international music festival, July).
Jaca
First Friday in May Festival : medieval reenactment.
Medieval Market in Jaca (August).
Apart from the main cities along this route, the other destinations remain off the beaten path. While the peak tourist season runs from June through September in Bayonne, Biarritz, Saint-Jean-de-Luz, and Pamplona, the rest of the route remains free from mass tourism, offering a welcome sense of tranquility even during the high season.
Travel better, all year round
Travelling better means choosing a more respectful form of tourism towards the territories and those who make them thrive. Through these itineraries, the project invites you to slow down, to immerse yourself in the landscapes, to meet the locals and to appreciate local know-how, while adopting responsible and sustainable practices.
Meeting points with North-South getaways
The Flavour Trail: a journey through food and wine
Information
Day 4: Asolaze Campground in the Roncal Valley.
Days 5 and 6: Ezcaba Campground five minutes from Pamplona.
Day 7: Baztan Campground in the Baztan Valley.
Day 8: Camping Pyrénées Nature.
The cultural journey
Information
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 peaks option
Information
Hendaye – Perpignan – Week 1
- Pamplona
- Abodi
- Jaca
- Lumbier
