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BIDART, a former whaling and fishing
port, is perched on the clifftops a few
kilometers south of Biarritz on the Route National 10.
It is the first typical Basque village to be seen in this direction and boasts a
superb village centre, compact and of outstanding character in the Labourd
style. Town hall is a magnificent example of local architecture and faces the
imposing fronton on the side of the square. The nearby church is characteristic
of the Basque fortress-church style of (the 16th century.
At right ankles to the square, take the narrow street leading to the cliffs.
There, on the site of Sainte-Madeleine chapel (rebuilt in 1820 and dedicated to
the Basque mariners) is one of the best views on the Basque Coast, looking south
of Spain.
Bidart is also blessed with a fine beach.
Immediately after the beach at Bidart , after the road climbs, is the next
village, GUETHARY, the smallest community on the Basque Coast.
 This
ancient whaling and fishing port (note the whaling scene on the village
coat-of-arms) takes its name from the Latin meaning to “observe”, as, like
neighboring Bidart, the site provided a vantage point to spot the whales.
Guethary later became a popular seaside resort during the 19th century, an epoch
reflected by the magnificent Neo-Basque villas in the village today (the Villa
Saraleguinea houses the municipal museum).
The original fishing quarter has disappeared but a visit to the tiny port is a
“must” and is often overlooked by motorists passing by on the RN 10. If
possible, a meal at sunset in one of the port restaurants is highly recommended.
Guethary has one of the prettiest cliff top railway stations in France (local
services from Bayonne, Biarritz, Hendaye) and from there, a popular activity is
to take the signposted bicycle track (which begins along the Nive in Bayonne and
ends at Hendaye) and walk along the coast to Saint-Jean de Luz. An excellent way
to appreciate a relatively untouched part of the Basque coastline. |
