Six wonderful villages, such as Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port
In the Basque Country French, there is not only the Cénitz de Guéthary beach; the surfing **plage de la Côte des Basques de Biarritz**, former spa hot spot of the European nobility; and the famous Espelette peppers . The Pyrénées-Atlantiques are conquered by other charming towns with varied geography and deep-rooted traditions.
ARCANGUES
Ideally located between Pyrenees and the ocean, and close to Biarritz, Bayonne and Saint-Jean-de-Luz , Arcangues boasts a rich plurality of landscapes, a mixture of the mountainous horizon, its blue ocean and the intense green of the campagne.
Castle of Arcangues
In this picturesque little Basque village reigns a simple and country atmosphere that **combines tradition and gastronomy**, reflected in its festivals of the month of June , a representation of his character, his art de vivre and the customs of the land.
As if it were a fairytale town, its historic center is made up of a quiet square with its corresponding church , a school with blue shutters, the town hall and (of course) a Basque pelota court which welcomes the pelotaris du village.
Athletes revel in their reputed 18 hole golf course , a unique environment bordering the Château d'Arcangues . In addition to the nice horse trips or hiking days in its enviable natural landscapes.
ITXASSOU
It is bordered to the north by Cambo-les-Bains and Larressore , west with Espelette and Ainhoa , and to the east with Louhossoa and Bidarray.
It is a charming town located in a leafy valley surrounded by mountains and crossed by the river Nive. According to legend, a kick from knight Roland's horse it split a rock in the gorge in two, thus creating a passage for its churning waters.
Sunrise in the valley where Itxassou hides
It offers a wonderful setting that extends over 4,000 hectares of impressive views of its neighborhoods, located on the slopes of its mountains. They know each other the Basseboure, Gerasto or Ortzia quartiers.
And at the top of Mondarrain you can see the ruins of a **castle belonging to the King of Navarre**.
Itxassou
Itxassou boasts of its beautiful Saint Fructueux church from the 16th century, in which the altar, its altarpiece, the decoration of its choir, the balustrades of the galleries and the pulpit are registered as historical monuments. In her, your graveyard , bears witness to Basque funerary art.
SARE
In Basque called Sarah , this town is considered one of the " Plus Beaux Villages de France” . Surrounded by mountains, including La Rhune , from a height of 905 meters, from which, on clear days, you can see an excellent panorama of the French and Spanish coasts.
To climb to the top you can take the Train de Larrun, an authentic collectible rack railway, dating from 1924.
In addition, this town is characterized by its numerous oratories, small religious monuments erected in the 17th century as a consequence of the votes formulated by the fishermen of the commune.
It also highlights your galtzada, a medieval road that crosses Sare from north to south, currently starting point for hiking trails; its medieval bridges ; its old laundries; the beautiful church of Saint Martin; the 17th-century Chapelle Sainte Catherine and the obligatory pediment.
saree
The visit of the Maison d'Ortillopitz and his plot of vineyards, fruit trees and grass of pottokas ponies, allows you to travel back in time to discover the family customs of the inhabitants of yesteryear.
URRUGNE
Its impressive views over the ocean are known, since occupies 6 kilometers of the Corniche Basque , a unique natural environment of extraordinary rocky cliffs.
The mountains that shelter Urrugne are suitable for hiking along the coast from the top of the cornice, to look out over the wild bay , and with a bit of luck spotting The only one giant wave of Europe, the Belharra, between 10 and 15 meters high; suitable for professional surfers.
for a few moments 100% mindfulness in the old way, this quiet town, with a bucolic atmosphere, invites you to stroll through the countryside among its rich flora of brooms and ferns (and its specific fauna of the region) until you reach the Xoldokogaina lake.
For the great walkers, the GR-10 trail leads to the slopes of the Rhune , first Atlantic mountain of the Pyrenees .
One of the "plus beaux villages of France"
SAINT-PÉE-SUR-NIVELLE
This village is ideal for discovering the interior of the region during the summer. the summer days, its beautiful lake Senpere, in the middle of nature, offers activities such as pedal boats or fishing for carp, perch, eel, rainbow trout or crayfish . And in the middle of May, they celebrate the Herri Urrats or festival of the ikastolas of the French Basque Country (Iparralde).
In its picturesque streets you can breathe the Basque essence, the tranquility and silence accompanied by the soft murmur of its fountains, the laundry room and the bells of the Saint-Pierre church.
Church of Saint-Pée-sur-Nivelle
Due to its great tradition for Basque ball game , brag about their Écomusée, a museum dedicated to this typical sport in which to know its history and the manufacture of the famous xisteras , made in a particular wicker.
SAINT-JEAN-PIED-DE-PORT
Called Donibane Garazi in Basque , is located in the Basque-French historical territory of the Lower Navarre . This little town of New Aquitaine , cataloged by the distinction of “Les Plus Beaux Villages de France” , surprises for its beautiful mountainous spectacle.
It is known for being the last stage of one of the main pilgrimage routes of the Santiago's road , about 8 kilometers from Spain, before the ascent of Roncesvalles.
The medieval streets of its historic center are flanked by houses typical of the traditional architecture of the Basque Country, of white facades with impeccable red shutters.
Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port
A beautiful photograph is offered by the Pont Neuf, with the reflection of the houses in the Nive river, that crosses the city, as well as the landscapes from the top of the citadel.
Its église stands out notre dame , the most important Gothic building in the area; the Porte Saint Jacques , considered UNESCO World Heritage Site ; its fortifications and the prison des Eveques.
Also on Monday its celebrated traditional market, where to find Basque home clothes, handicrafts and other local specialities.
Which one do you prefer?