I’m Louise, French luxury travel specialist at Grape Escapes. I am half French and half English, and I come from the French side of the Pays Basque (in my opinion, the most beautiful part of France!). It only feels right to write about my home region, a place full of incredible food, wine, culture, and landscapes.
My family come from a small village called Alçay, in the province of Soule (Zuberoa). If you are not familiar with the Basque Country, it is a unique region spanning the border between France and Spain, with its own language and deeply rooted cultural identity.
The Basque language, Euskara, is one of the oldest in Europe and is not related to any other known language. It was historically suppressed, particularly during the Franco era, but today it is spoken proudly across the region. In fact, my cousin spoke Basque before French, and many schools now teach in Euskara. This strong sense of identity and cultural pride is exactly what makes the Basque Country such a fascinating place to visit.
Activities: Mountain to Sea
Hiking trails in the French Basque Country, near Alçay
One of the most special things about the Basque region is its diversity of landscapes, you have both the Atlantic coast and the Pyrenees mountains within easy reach.
For outdoor lovers, the possibilities are endless. In the inland areas such as Saint-Engrâce, you will find dramatic gorges, caves (including some of the largest in Europe), and incredible canyoning and caving opportunities. The Pyrenees also offer countless hiking and cycling routes with breathtaking views. The Tour de France often makes its way through the Pyrenes and attracts hundreds of cyclists a year to make their way through this beautiful mountain range.
However, if you are looking for a more relaxed and less energetic holiday, the Basque region also offers a chic coastal escape, with some of the most beautiful seaside scenery in France.
Biarritz is the most famous coastal city in the region, known for its surfing culture, elegant architecture, and excellent food scene. It is often described as the birthplace of European surfing and is filled with long sandy beaches, beach bars, surf schools, and a relaxed but stylish atmosphere. Biarritz is one of my favourite beach towns to visit as it really does have everything you need with a very local feel.
The beach at Biarritz
Not far from Biarritz lies the beautiful city of Bayonne. When I was younger, I would often take the bus from my local town to Bayonne to spend the day shopping with my cousins. As a university city, it has a vibrant and youthful atmosphere, with plenty of cafés, shops, and lively streets to explore.
Bayonne is steeped in history and is surrounded by impressive fortifications that reflect its rich past. It’s a big gastronomic city most famous for its Jambon de Bayonne and its hot chocolate, which is incredibly rich, thick, and often accompanied by whipped cream. In fact, Bayonne is often credited as one of the places where hot chocolate first spread throughout Europe. Bayonne is an amazing city so I would add this to your list!
Food: Simple, Local, Exceptional
Gâteau basque
Basque cuisine is one of the highlights of any visit. It is simple, seasonal, and full of flavour.
One of my personal favourites is piperade, a traditional dish made with peppers, tomatoes, onions, and eggs, often served with a meat. My grandmother used to make it for me when I visited – unfortunately you may not get to try the version as good as my grandmother’s, but there are many close seconds. This, followed by some Basque cheese, is the perfect traditional Basque meal. In fact, my aunt and uncle produce wonderful sheep’s cheese themselves. The level of produce in this region is exceptional, from cheeses to meats to honey.
The region is also famous for piment d’Espelette, a mildly spicy chilli pepper that is AOP-protected and widely used in Basque cooking. You will find it in everything from meats to sauces and even desserts. My personal favourite is in dark chocolate; you must give it a try.
And of course, no visit would be complete without tasting the famous gâteau basque, a traditional Basque cake filled with either cream or my personal favourite cherry jam.
Culture: A Strong Sense of Identity
Louise’s family partaking in Basque dancing
Culture is at the heart of Basque life. Music, singing, and dancing play a huge role in local traditions, and many villages host regular performances celebrating Basque history and storytelling through dance and costume.
Each village also has its own festival, which brings the community together with food, music, and celebrations. While many people are familiar with the San Fermín festival in Pamplona, similar local celebrations take place throughout the region. Basque dancing is a really strong part of the culture and is truly impressive with traditional dance and costumes. Every time I visit my family, my cousins are performing in local shows, which are truly captivating. The most impressive dance is performed on a glass of wine, where the aim is to move around it and even onto it without spilling the wine or breaking the glass. It’s definitely entertaining and a different way of incorporating wine into an experience, and one that you will not see on other wine tours!
One of the most famous festivals on the French side is the Fêtes de Bayonne, held every July. During this time, the entire city turns white and red as thousands of people fill the streets to celebrate with music, dancing, food, and drinking. It is one of the biggest cultural festivals in France and a true showcase of Basque spirit, absolutely a bucket-list experience. I am yet to go but I hope to visit next year with my cousin!
Celebrations in Bayonne
Wine: The Perfect Addition
Vines of Jurançon
Finally, how does wine fit into all of this?
The Basque Country is perfectly positioned for combining culture and wine. The small but excellent Irouléguy wine region is right on your doorstep, producing expressive wines from steep Pyrenean vineyards. You are also within easy reach of Jurançon, known for its aromatic sweet wines just north of the Basque region. However, we recommend combining a trip to the Basque Country with some of Europe’s best known wine regions only a short distance away, for the ultimate tasting experience.
Bordeaux is accessible easily by train. You could also choose to start or end your Bordeaux trip in the Basque region, just south of the city, if you’re looking to enjoy some time in the mountains or by the beach.
If you are driving, you can also take the opportunity to travel down the west coast through Bordeaux and both the French and Spanish Basque regions, with stops along the way to explore this beautiful area and enjoy wine visits en route.
On the Spanish side, you can easily cross into Rioja, or head to San Sebastián, which offers world-class food and excellent access to Basque wines from both countries.
For travellers looking for a trip that combines culture, coastline, mountains, food, and wine, the Basque Country is an exceptional starting point, and one I could not recommend highly enough. It is the perfect stop, start or end to a wine trip.
Ready to Book?
If you would like more information about this amazing region that I get to call home, please do not hesitate to get in contact with me. To start planning your trip to the Basque region and surroundings, drop me an email or give me a call on +44 1920 468 666, and I’d be delighted to help.
