Excursions
Discover The Region
Gan
Gan, east of Pau in Pyrénées-Atlantiques, is a compact, friendly town with Béarnese houses, a market, bakeries and cafés. It hosts Basque–Béarn events and serves local cheeses, duck and stews in family restaurants. Good for hiking, cycling and trips to vineyards, historic towns and the Pyrenees, it suits travelers seeking a quieter southwestern France.
Oloron-Sainte-Marie
Oloron-Sainte-Marie, a charming town in Béarn (Pyrénées-Atlantiques), makes an ideal base for exploring both cultural sites and nearby natural scenery. Close by, Lindt’s chocolate factory provides a tasty additional draw, blending local heritage, outdoor activities, and delightful culinary treats.
Lourdes
Lourdes, in the French Pyrenees, is a major pilgrimage site after the Virgin Mary’s 1858 apparition to Bernadette Soubirous. Key sites: the Basilica of St. Pius X and the Grotto of Massabielle. Pilgrims walk the Stations of the Cross, light candles, and bathe in the believed-healing spring. The town also offers hikes, markets, and shops for quiet visits or outdoor activities.
Salies-de-Bearn
Salies-de-Béarn, a small town in southwest France, is famed for salt springs and honey-colored streets. Once a spa town, it still offers saline baths, a 17th-century saltworks museum, and lively weekly markets with local cheeses, cured meats, and Basque-influenced foods. Surrounded by rolling countryside with Pyrenees views, it has cafés, Béarnaise dishes, walking trails, and Gascon–Basque cultural events—an authentic, quiet thermal stop.
Sauveterre-de-Bearn
Sauveterre-de-Béarn is a sunlit southwestern village of stone houses and wooden shutters. A fortified church overlooks the Gave d'Oloron. Cafés and bakeries serve garbure and Jurançon wine. Perched above a green valley, it draws walkers and cyclists; markets and fêtes keep Béarn traditions alive.
Navarrenx, a small fortified Béarn town on the Gave d’Oloron, features intact 16th-century bastioned ramparts, Renaissance star-shaped fortifications, covered stairways and the Porte de Jaca. Its compact centre has timber-framed houses, a quiet market square, nearby farmland and Pyrenees foothills. Popular for fishing, cycling and walking, it’s a scenic, unhurried stop on the Way of St. James with modest cafés and artisan shops.
Biarritz
Biarritz, on France’s southwest coast, is famed for beaches, surfing, villas, and a historic casino. Its mild climate, coastal views, cliffs and waves draw year-round visitors for relaxation and outdoor activities. Known for fresh seafood and Basque cuisine, it’s a classic beach getaway.
San Sebastian
San Sebastián, in Spain’s Basque Country, offers a scenic coastline, green hills, and Bay of Biscay views. With beaches like La Concha and Zurriola, it’s ideal for relaxing and water sports. Its pintxos bars highlight Basque cuisine, blending nature and culture for visitors.
Bordeaux
Bordeaux, in southwest France, is known for wine and elegant 18th-century architecture. The region has grand châteaux and family wineries offering tastings and tours. The city, a UNESCO site, features well-preserved buildings and the scenic Place de la Bourse along the Garonne River, attracting wine lovers and culture fans.
Toulouse
Toulouse, nicknamed "La Ville Rose" for its terracotta buildings, sits in southwest France and is an aerospace center including Airbus. Historic sites like the Basilica of Saint-Sernin and the Capitole share streets with lively markets, cafés, and restaurants. The Garonne River adds scenic views and pleasant riverside walks.
The Basque Country
The Basque Country, straddling northern Spain and southwestern France, is famed for its distinct Euskara language, rich cultural traditions, dramatic mountains and a rugged Bay of Biscay coast, and outstanding cuisine—especially small, flavourful pintxos. Cities like Bilbao and San Sebastián blend striking modern architecture with historic charm, offering abundant outdoor activities, lively festivals and deep opportunities for cultural exploration.
Central Pyrénées
