Private Bayonne, Biarritz & St Jean de Luz from San Sebastian
Description
The Côte Basque is world famous for its quality of life, beaches, landscapes, idyllic houses and amazing gastronomy. A tour with stories from the Belle Epoque, pirates, surfers from 1950s Hollywood, cheese, chocolate, a Gothic cathedral protected by a medieval city...How crazy is this?!
Tour Options
Itinerary
In no time, you’ll have made it to the center of Bayonne famed for its romantic medieval charm, half-timbered buildings and delicious chocolate. That is correct! Bayonne is called the French capital of chocolate and it played a pivotal role in the spread of the cocoa confection through Europe. In other words - you have to try it! You’ll stroll down the cobbled streets of the Historic Part discovering picturesque corners of the city, chocolate stores and one of the most beautiful cathedrals in France. Saint Mary of Bayonne Cathedral was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1998 and a Historic Monument since 1862.
Next up, is Biarritz known for its beautiful beaches, therapeutic waters and surf scene. You’ll walk along the shore enjoying brilliant views of the sea to finally reach impressive 44 meters tall lighthouse built in 1834! From there we will head to Les Halles - a vibrant area of Biarritz and visit the food market. It is a perfect place to observe everyday life with locals having bubbly conversations while shopping for their favorite cheese, charcuterie or boulangerie.
From Saint Jean de Luz we will continue along one of the most beautiful coastal roads of Basque Country - La Corniche. Here, we will enjoy scenic views of the steep cliffs and layers of rock emerging from the ocean.
In the quiet seaside resort of Saint Jean de Luz you will stroll along the streets of the town listening to the thrilling stories of local pirates - Corsairs, sailors and fisherman. We will also find time to visit the 13th century church of St. John the Baptist with its remarkable hull-shaped wood-panelled vault. We can stop for a lunch in one of the lovely restaurants in Saint Jean de Luz or eat in Biarritz market hall that is also a fantastic choice for a delicious, fresh meal.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
- All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Wheelchair accessibility is extra paid - contact for details
- Please carry your passport
Reviews(50)
We took the Private French Basque Country Food Tour and were thoroughly impressed, especially with our guide, Luis. The tour is beautifully organized and can be tailored to your interests, making it a wonderful way to discover a part of France we had never explored before. Luis is exceptionally knowledgeable about the region, its history, and its culinary traditions, and he made the experience both engaging and memorable. We highly recommend this tour to anyone visiting the area.
We had the most incredible day with Iñigo!! Absolutely one of the best days of our trip. The food and wine were delicious, but the best part was hanging with Iñigo for the day, learning about the culture, different towns and hanging together! Will 💯 do this again when we come back
Thank you for such a fun review :) We love hearing that the day felt more like spending time with a friend than a traditional tour. Between the food, wine, little towns and all the conversations along the way, that’s exactly the atmosphere we hope people experience while discovering the Basque Country with us. Iñigo will absolutely love this, and we’ll be ready to do it all again when you come back!
We took a day trip to France with our knowledgeable guide Malena. You could tell she loves what she does. She was very knowledgeable of the area and history. She took us to a great chocolate shop in Bayonne, had a fabulous lunch in Biarritz and then on to St Jean de Luc all the while telling us the history and customs of the Basque people. We tasted many different things from sweet treats, pastries, and charcuterie; the Jambon de Bayonne is a must! Highly recommend this trip with Malena.
Thank you so much for this beautiful review! Malena truly loves sharing the French Basque Country and all its flavors, stories and little traditions, so she’ll be very happy to read this. Bayonne chocolate, a good lunch in Biarritz and wandering through Saint-Jean-de-Luz is such a special combination, especially with some jambon and pastries along the way :) We’re very proud of this corner of the Basque world that stretches across both sides of the border, and we’re so happy you got to experience it with us. Hope to see you back here soon for more food, culture and long lunches by the ocean!
Our guides were terrific - very engaging and knowledgeable. Sharing their personal experiences increased our understanding of the history and culture of the Pays Basque. The input of the tour company into the stops and restaurants on our tour increased our knowledge of the local culture and history.
Absolutely amazing. Everything was beyond expectations!! It was incredibly helpful to have such personal insight from each tour guide!
We love hearing this :) The French Basque coast has such a special mix of culture, food, history and ocean atmosphere, and having local guides sharing their own perspective really changes the experience. So happy the day went beyond expectations. Hope Bayonne, Biarritz and Saint-Jean-de-Luz stay with you for a long time!
Ikusnahi gave our group a first-rate tour through Basque country in both France and Spain over a period of ten days. The guides were passionate, knowledgeable and generous in sharing their Basque heritage. The experience exceeded our expectations.
Ten days discovering the Basque Country on both sides of the border sounds like a pretty beautiful adventure :) We’re so happy the experience exceeded your expectations and that you connected with the culture, landscapes and people along the way. Our guides truly love sharing their Basque roots and traditions, so your words will mean a lot to them. Thanks for traveling through this special corner of the world with us!
We took a day tour through Bayonne, Biarritz, and Saint-Jean-de-Luz—and it was absolutely fantastic. Our guide, Olatz (highly recommend you request her specifically), brought the kind of deep, personal insight that only a true local can offer. Due to a major festival making Bayonne nearly inaccessible, Olatz suggested we visit Hondarribia instead—and what a brilliant swap. The old town of Hondarribia, perched behind ancient fortified walls, is brimming with rich history, outstanding culinary options, and breathtaking views of the Bidasoa River as it divides Spain and France and spills into the bay. Olatz even knew the manager of a stunning hilltop hotel, giving us access to a private terrace where we soaked in panoramic vistas—truly unforgettable. Biarritz was another highlight: a city teeming with vibrant energy, fascinating history, bustling markets, and dazzling coastal scenery. With Olatz’s engaging and thoughtful commentary, our leisurely walk through the city felt like stepping into the heart of Basque culture. This tour strikes a beautiful balance—gorgeous landscapes, charming small towns, dynamic city centers, and incredible food. Olatz’s expertise, warmth, and flexibility made all the difference. She genuinely tailored the experience to our interests and went above and beyond to ensure we had a magical day. Ikusnahi Tours, with Olatz at the helm, is an absolute must. You won't be disappointed.We did the day tour to bayonne, biarritz, and St. Jean de Luc and it was fantastic. Olatz our tour guide (I strongly recommend that you specifically request her) has the intimate knowledge that only a local has. She suggested that we switch Bayonne for Hondarribia due to a huge festival in Bayonne which made getting around almost impossible. Great Choice, old town Hondarribia which stands behind fortified walls was has s rich history, great gastronomical choices, and incredible views of the bidasoa river splitting Spain and France as it empties into the bay. Olatz knew the manager of a hotel (high on a hill with the best views) and we were able to sit out on a private terrace admiring the panoramic Vistas. Biarritz is a must see with a rich history, vibrant city center, markets galore, and of course the incredible scenery. Once again Olatz gave interesting and pertinent commentary as we strolled through the city. This tour blends absolutely gorgeous vistas with small towns, great city centers with rich culture and history, and amazing culinary options. Olatz was fantastic as she was not only very knowledgeable and fun, but genuinely was committed to providing the best possible experience and was more than willing to alter the tour to our interests. Ikusnahi tours and Olatz you will not be disappointed
What an incredible review to read :) This is exactly how we love to explore the Basque Country, adapting the day to the moment, discovering unexpected places and mixing history, landscapes, food and local connections along the way. Sometimes those spontaneous changes, like swapping Bayonne for Hondarribia, end up becoming the highlight of the day. Olatz will be absolutely touched by your words. She truly loves sharing this region in a personal and flexible way, beyond the typical tour experience. Thank you for appreciating all those little details that make this corner between France and Spain so special. We’ll be waiting for you here for the next Basque adventure!
Villages are picturesques and beautiful! Our guide, Mark, explained us about villages, basque history adding many fun facts ! Well organized, nice timeline, punctua!! Perfect 10!!
We’re so happy you enjoyed discovering the French Basque coast with Mark :) Those little towns really do feel like postcards sometimes, full of history, sea views and so much personality. Glad you appreciated the relaxed rhythm of the day and all the stories and fun facts along the way. Perfect 10 sounds pretty good to us too ;)
Olatz was an amazing guide who happened to also be the driver. She is friendly, Knowledgeable, and went above and beyond. Perfect trip!
Lynn, we love the simplicity of this review :) Olatz truly puts a lot of heart into these experiences, and we’re so happy she made the day feel easy, fun and memorable for you. The French Basque coast is already pretty magical on its own, but good company always makes it even better. Eskerrik asko for spending the day with us!
Martin was great and very accommodating. We went with our 2 year old and changed the itinerary a bit and Martin was great in adjusting to our schedule. He was very knowledgeable about the history of each area and took us to different scenic spots to take pictures. We are thankful to experience the coastal Basque area with such a knowledgeable and kind guide. Thank you Martin!
