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Pre-tour
day: (Hotel in Biarritz)
Arrive in Biarritz. Evening beach walk
and exploration.
Day
1: (Hotel in Biarritz)
Morning: Discover Biarritz. The town began
as a small Basque whaling station but was transformed 150 years
ago into an internationally renowned seaside resort, thanks to
the empress Eugénie, wife of Napoléon lll. Afternoon:
Enjoy a stroll on the beach promenade, swim in the Atlantic, explore
the town's animated streets, discover its delicious chocolate
museum. Late Afternoon option: drive to the beautiful
beach at neighboring Anglet for a hike or a swim.
Day 2: (Hotel in Biarritz)
Morning: Discover historic Bayonne. Once
a Roman fort, later British as part of the dowry of Eleanor
of Aquitaine, it was joined to France in the 15th century.
Afternoon: Explore the city's colorful riverfront
district, visit its museums, shop for local specialties, enjoy
a Bayonne specialty dating back to the Spanish conquistadors—a
thick, rich and spicy hot chocolate drink. Late Afternoon:
Gentle hike along the Nive River. Return to Biarritz via
the upland route, with scenic views over the entire area.
Day 3: (Hotel in St-Jean-de-Luz)
Morning: Moderate hike in the foothills of the Pyrénées
for spectacular views of the Bay of Biscay and the forests
of La Lande. Visit Aïnhoa, one of the region's prettiest
and most traditional villages. Late Afternoon: Visit
Cambo-les-Bains and the Villa Arnaga, lovely home
and formal gardens built by Edmond Rostand, author of "Cyrano
de Bergerac." Evening: Walk along the costal corniche
to St-Jean-de-Luz, enjoying the superb views of the Atlantic
coast, the sandy bay, and magnificent harbor houses of the port.
Day 4: (Hotel in St-Jean-de-Luz)
Morning: Follow the coastline south into Spain to
the tiny, picturesque fishing village of San Juan, where
you can hike along the cliffs overlooking the port and the rugged
Atlantic coast. Afternoon: Time to explore the center
of St-Jean-de-Luz, its handsome 17th and 18th century houses
of merchants and ship builders, and its famous church where Louis
XIV was married to Maria Teresa of Castile in 1660.
Day
5: (Hotel in Barcus)
Morning: Drive through forests and pasture-clad
hills to the beautiful inland village of St-Jean-Pied-de-Port,
once an important stopover for pilgrims on their way to Santiago
de Compostela. Afternoon: A spectacular two-hour
hike along the top of a canyon to a cable footbridge suspended
across the Gorges d'Holzarté. From there you will have
a marvelous view eastwards along the sheer white rock of interconnecting
gorges. Evening: Arrive at your new home in the
tiny village of Barcus in the hills of the easternmost
Basque province of Soule.
Day
6: (Hotel in Barcus)
Morning: Easy hike through the quiet beauty of the
countryside and hills surrounding Barcus. Admire the gardens and
farms of friendly locals. Afternoon: Optional drive
to Mauléon for a visit of this quaint town, then continue
to Ste-Engrace to explore its unique Romanesque church
and walk in the nearby hills. Spectacular views of the Pyrénées.
Day 7:
After breakfast, you can go to Pau to visit its impressive
château of Henry IV before departing by train.
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