Holiday rentals in the Basque Country

The gastronomy of Basque terroirs

The Basque terroirs offer a considerable number of quality products, which are used to prepare tasty dishes. Lovers of charcuterie are not left out when they stay in the region. If you're one of them, let yourself be tempted by ventrèche. This is a piece of pork belly that is eaten raw and used to make sandwiches. You can also try Bayonne Ham, recognisable by its dark red flesh covered with a layer of fat. It is served as a salad, but can also be eaten as is, as a starter or as a snack. During your meals, you might like to share a glass of Basque cider with your friends and family, as it goes perfectly with meat, fish and cheese. Those with a sweet tooth won't be able to resist the Saint-Jean-de-Luz macaroon, a round, beige-gold pastry. Other sweet treats to discover during your holiday include the Basque cake, featuring a soft shortbread pastry itself topped with a pastry cream.

The natural and cultural heritage of the Basque Country

Whether you're a believer or just a history buff, the Saint-Jean-Baptiste church in Saint-Jean-de-Luz will surprise you in more ways than one! Inside, every visitor will be fascinated by its impressive altarpiece featuring numerous statues of saints. The cathedral of Sainte-Marie de Bayonne is another religious building of note in the region. You can enter its monumental cloister and admire the church's stained glass windows, some of which date back to the Renaissance. To take in the spectacle of the surfers and breathe in the sea spray, a walk along the Côte des Basques is a must!

At Biarritz, the Musée de la Mer is one of the main tourist attractions. It houses a large aquarium with exotic fish and several species of shark. There is also information on the lives of sailors and fishing techniques. Nature lovers can also take the Rhune train to the summit of the same name in the Pyrenees. You may be lucky enough to catch a glimpse of birds of prey as you take this means of transport with other holidaymakers.

Activities around the Basque Country

Around the Basque Country, there are plenty of activities for adults and children alike. These include the Family Park in Messanges, for example. Here, the public can enjoy paintball games and quad biking sessions. Meanwhile, the little ones can imagine themselves as racing drivers behind the wheel of electric cars.

Your next holiday rental in the Basque Country may well be in Pau. This town in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques region attracts visitors with its castle surrounded by sumptuous gardens. The monument is located in the town centre and houses a superb collection of tapestries by the Gobelins. There is also the Musée des Beaux-Arts, where a variety of paintings by Italian and Dutch artists are on display. For another enriching experience, discover the bullfighting shows organised in the Dax bullring, around 45 minutes from Bayonne.