Pyrenees Atlantique
For a creative person looking for inspiration, the Pyrenees Atlantique is the perfect place for a holiday. The Atlantic coastline lies to the West, with the Pyrenees Mountains to the South, and sloping hills packed full of vineyards to the North. The scenery here has previously inspired poets and writers such as Victor Hugo.
Part of the Pyrenees is designated as a national park, and is home to many species of Lynx, Wild Bear, and Eagles. In summer it is this, along with the flora and fauna on the mountain peaks, which attract many hikers, and of course come winter, the mountains are popular with skiers. Other principle attractions in the Pyrenees Atlantique include the Basque country resorts of Bayonne and Biarritz.
The highlight of any visit to Bayonne, is the Notre Dame de Bayonne, the cities gothic style cathedral, which stands today after 800 years of restoration work. There are other well preserved buildings throughout the town, such as Musee Basque, which is listed as an historic monument, and the Saint Andre church, home to an organ donated by Napoleon III. It was Napoleon III, along with Empress Eugene who put Biarritz on the map as a lively, high class beach resort. Royalty and celebrities have all been entertained in the town’s hotels, bars, and casinos, and the resort is still a luxury holiday spot today. The town’s beaches are another hotspot, and their annual surf festival is one of the most well known in Europe.
Along with the Basque country resorts mentioned above, the Bearn area, and its capital Pau, are also popular stop-off points for visitors to the Pyrenees Atlantique. Despite having a turbulent history, which included a role in the Wars of Religion, the Bearn area has remained largely unspoilt, and is still a place full of character and natural beauty. It’s also known for its salt production, which has been panned at Salies de Bearn since the Bronze Ages. There is a salt museum in the town, and grand hotels in what is known as the Spa Quarter. Bearn is also an area packed full of culture, and was once home to poet Francis Jammes, whose works were well known in Paris. Along with poetry and salt, Bearn is also famous for the Beret, and there is a museum tracing its history in the small town of Nay. Then there is Pau, known as the capital of Bearn, which has a large variety of attractions. These include the 16th century town houses in the old district of Quartier du Hedas, the neo-classical Winter Palace, Palais Beaumont, and the Parc Beaumont with its rose garden, lake, waterfall, and varied species of tree. Pau City centre is lined with bars, restaurants, and shops, which make it a lively summertime spot, though it’s the Chateau de Pau, the birthplace of Henry IV that dominates the town.
Along with Pau, Saint Jean de la Luz is also a popular place to visit in summer, where local markets sell chipirons, squid cooked in ink, and many other colourful goods. Tourist guides also recommend the beaches at Anglet, and the Foret D’Iraty, which has hiking and skiing on offer, and is home to many Basque ponies. Like many regions, towns, and cities in Aquitaine, the Pyrenees Atlantique can offer a holiday to suit most tastes. Whether you are looking for scenic walking trails, winter activities, beach holidays, shopping, or fine architecture and culture, you will find it all here.
