The most beautiful villages

Between medieval settlements nestled at the foot of the Pyrenees and former fishing villages on the Atlantic coast, the Basque Country is full of towns and charming villages that have preserved their authenticity. Pearls of the Basque coast, Ciboure and Guéthary are thus two small seaside resorts that offer exceptional panoramas on the coastline and where the weather seems to have stopped. In the land, several remarkable typical Basque villages are ranked among the “most beautiful villages of France”: This is the case of Sare, Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port, La Bastide-Clairence, and Ainhoa. The southernmost and furthest village of the coast is Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port. Situated on the banks of the Nive, at the foot of the famous Col de Roncesvalles, this medieval city with its rich historical heritage is an important step on the way to Compostela.

Built also at the foot of the Pyrenees, in the south of Espelette, the Bastide of Sare and Ainhoa charm by their houses to the typical labourdine architecture. The small town of Sare is home to the Rhune train, an authentic 1924 rack train that routes you to the Col de la Rhune at an altitude of 905 m. La Bastide-Clairence is a Navarre fortified bastide of history: its visit, guided if you wish, will lead you to discover the picturesque arcades of its central square, its red half-timbered houses, the three floors of wooden galleries of its Church, of its astonishing cemetery courtyard, or even of its toast, the oldest in the world still in operation!

The campsite of Berrua, close to the most beautiful villages of the Basque country

Located in Bidart, another remarkable village on the Basque coast, camping Berrua is an ideal starting point to visit the Pyrénées-Atlantiques and discover the most beautiful Basque villages in the area. By the A64 motorway, La Bastide-Clairence (approx. 35 km) is accessible in less than 30 minutes. In half an hour also, by the road to Bayonne or the D855, you can reach Sare and its small train from La Rhune, located only 20 km from Bidart. 2 or 3 kilometers apart from the typical Basque village of Ainhoa. To get to Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port, it is less than an hour’s drive through the spa resort of Cambo-les-Bains and the Itxassou Cherry Village.