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No doubt you're already familiar with this city, whose streets are flooded with Festayres in white and red during the holidays. On the other hand, maybe you didn't know you could go there on the overnight train from Paris and all this starting at just €29! In any case, one thing is certain: Bayonne is definitely worth a visit outside of the summer season, whether for a few days or just for the weekend. So we’ve put together a 48-hour itinerary to help you make the most of your stay in this iconic city in the Basque Country.
Photo © Visit Bayonne
There’s no better way to start your Bayonne experience than by visiting the Bayonne Market. Located on the banks of the Nive River, it features a wide variety of shops inside, as well as a multitude of cafés and stalls outside. This gourmet market is renowned for its quality, variety, and atmosphere. In fact, one Saturday a month, the people of Bayonne gather on the market’s balconies to sing Basque songs, adding charm and authenticity to the experience! It’s the perfect place to start your day. Especially if you want to do some gourmet shopping and bring home fresh local products, like Bayonne ham or Espelette pepper—now’s the time!
Address: 2 Quai du Commandant Roquebert, 64100 Bayonne
Photo © Atelier du Chocolat
In addition to ham, the Basque Country is also famous for its chocolate production! This craft, brought over from Spain in the 17th century, is on display at the Chocolate Museum in the form of a fun 90-minute tour suitable for all ages. You’ll come away not only with a better understanding of how cocoa beans are processed and how chocolatiers work (you’ll see them at work during the tour), but above all, your taste buds will be delighted by the chocolate tasting session at the end of the tour! The little ones can even take part in a chocolate painting workshop. And at the end, a stop on the Road of Temptation—also known as “the shop”—is a must.
Address: 7 allée de Gibéléou, 64100 Bayonne
Photo © Visit Bayonne
The city’s oldest neighborhood, Grand Bayonne, is home to its most iconic landmarks: City Hall and the theater, the Vauban fortifications... As soon as you arrive by train, you’re sure to catch a glimpse of the spires of the impressive Sainte-Marie Cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage Site; you’ll be spellbound the moment you step inside—I guarantee it. On top of that, the building features a cloister dating from the 13th–14th centuries, which ranks among the largest in France. Around the cathedral, you can stroll through the medieval alleyways of this old neighborhood, ending up, for example, at the charming Place Bernard de Lacarre, or on Boulevard Lachepaillet to admire the city’s famous ramparts. To learn more about this historic district of Bayonne, the Tourist Office offers a selection of guided tours throughout the city, including several in the Greater Bayonne area.
Photo © Visit Bayonne
After “Grand” Bayonne, it’s time to explore “Petit” Bayonne—as ancient and historic as it is popular and lively. After all, this is where the city’s universities are located. Known for its brightly colored houses and narrow medieval alleyways, this is the area we highly recommend for a night out! The streets quickly fill with a festive atmosphere as the evening gets underway (especially on Thursdays) and offer a multitude of bars and restaurants, each one more welcoming than the last. Will you let yourself be tempted by some Basque specialties?
Photo © Visit Bayonne
Finally, we invite you to explore the Saint-Esprit neighborhood, the birthplace of Bayonne’s street art. You can discover the stunning murals found on almost every street—on foot, by bike… or even by tuk-tuk. To learn more about the history of street art and how it came to the city, the Kaxu Galerie offers guided tours of the neighborhood, tracing its history and sharing the stories behind the most beautiful works of art. In fact, in October, the gallery organizes the Points de Vue festival; artists from all over take over the city with murals, each one more outrageous than the last. The Saint-Esprit neighborhood is an “open-air museum” in its own right!
Photo © Izirider
Discover Bayonne in a whole new way with scooters from Izirider. Hop on an all-terrain bike to ride along the banks of the Nive River while exploring a stunning protected natural area. The ride lasts two hours and includes a short gourmet break at the Pasarella Guinguette to enjoy some tapas. If you’ve never ridden one of these before, don’t panic! An instructor will give you all the guidance you need to ride the bike, as well as protective gear—and of course, it’s all included in the price. All in all, it’s the perfect activity for a family outing (ages 14 and up).
Come visit the Tourist Office: 25 Place des Basques, 64100 Bayonne
Benjamin Martinie - aka Tolt en voyage - est réalisateur, Youtubeur et auteur spécialisé dans le voyage depuis plus de 10 ans. Il s’est d’abord fait connaître avec sa série "Don’t go to…”, tournée caméra au poing aux quatre coins du monde. Ces vidéos, visionnées plusieurs millions de fois et saluées par la critique, ont été relayées dans de nombreux médias (France Info, Nat Geo, Le Point...) et distinguées par plusieurs prix ou nominations (Travel Video Awards, Resistance Film Festival...).
En 2019, il prend un virage décisif et renonce à l’avion pour se consacrer au voyage responsable. En 2023, il fonde HOURRAIL !, le média communautaire de référence sur le voyage bas carbone qui rassemble aujourd'hui plus de 500 000 passionnés sur ses différents réseaux sociaux.
A travers ses articles, ses vidéos et interviews d'experts, il décrypte avec rigueur et pédagogie les enjeux liés au tourisme, au climat et au transport ferroviaire. Son objectif : prouver qu’on peut voyager et être heureux, sans prendre l’avion.
