The coast
Category: The Coast
With the best views of the ocean against a background of rolling green hills, we will discover the pirates coast from Biarritz to St Jean de Luz and follow along the corniche up to Hendaye
, stopping at each port along the way: Biarritz, originally a town of pirates and whalers became a grand aristocratic capital of Europe thanks to the Empress Eugenie, wife of Napoleon III.
The lighthouse offers a breathtaking view of two stunning beaches, Chambre d’Amour and the Grand plage. And the old fishing port is composed of tiny ancient houses still named after pirates, a beach with views of the Rocher de la Vierge and a port which takes us back to the times of the ancient whalers and fishermen.
Guéthary a charming picturesque fishing port where time appears to stand still. This lovely old whaling port became an aristocratic resort in the Roaring Twenties when bathing in the sea first became fashionable.
It is also a renowned surf spot with the best waves at Parlementia and Alcyons.
St Jean de Luz, a town that received kings (Louis XIV married Maria Theresa of Austria here in the seventeenth century), pirates, fishermen and famous travelers.
Its fishing port is still active, and the old town, full of typical labourdine architecture is steeped in history. We will take a walk around the town to see the house Louis XIV, lived in before his marriage, the Maison de l'Infante, the Church of St. John the Baptist, and finish with a walk along the Bay.
La Corniche, near to the ocean between St Jean de Luz and Hendaye, a steep and rugged coastline with magnificent views from the cliffs.
Hendaye has the longest beach in the Basque Country, Ondarraitz, which is 3km long, at the far end of the beach are ¨The Twins¨ two giant rocks that seperate the beach from the park Naturel d'Abbaie and the fabulous Chateau d'Abbadie which dates back to the 19th century.
Hendaye also has a large marina that faces Hondarribia the Spanish city nearby.