Visit La Bastide-Clairence, Aquitaine
La-Bastide-Clairence is a picturesque village in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques department, to the north-east of Sare and Ainhoa. It is listed as one of the most beautiful villages of France. The bastide was founded in the XIV century by Louis I of Navarre, the future Louis X of France, at which time both Basques and Gascons came to live in the town.
Explore La Bastide-Clairence
La Bastide Clairence is a bastide town with a definite Basque flavour. The houses are painted white and all have shutters painted in the deep red colour, or occasionally in green, both colours typical of the shutters in the region.
The village is charming and lovely to amble around. Most of the shops in the town are owned by local artisans, generally producing good quality rather than tourist quality goods. If you are looking for some unusual presents this is a good place to head for.
The church is more ornate on the outside than most in the area. Inside it has the wooden galleries around the edge which are often found in Basque churches and give them a warm, welcoming feel. Next to the church is a Jewish cemetery.
When you’ve had a good wander around go to the little shop at the top of the town on Rue Notre Dame which sells macaroons. These come in lots of flavours including chilli pepper using the famous Espelette piments. Delicious! Take your bag to the little garden behind the tourist office and enjoy.
If you are visiting La Bastide-Clairence in September the village hosts a pottery fair which welcomes over 50 potters from across Europe.
Attractions nearby
Close to La Bastide Clairence you can visit Abbaye de Belloc whose monks make a famous sheep’s milk cheese.
South-east of the village at Saint Martin d'Arberoue are the caves of Isturitz and Oxocelhaya, the former featuring prehistoric relics and the other with impressive rock formations such as stalactites.
At Hastingues, just off the A64 north-east of La Bastide, is Arthous Abbey - active from the 12th to the 17th centuries, and now restored and open to the public it also houses a museum of heritage targetted at children and the 'Landes region Departmental Centre of Heritage'.
Photos of La Bastide-Clairence (click any picture to start the gallery)
Tourist classifications for La Bastide-Clairence: One of the most beautiful village in France (plus beau villages);
Suggested places to visit near La Bastide-Clairence, France
Distances shown are direct, driving distances will be greater.
Cambo-les-Bains 14km
Itxassou 16km
Espelette 18km
Bayonne 19km
More suggestions: Anglet 22km; Ainhoa 24km; Biarritz 25km; Sauveterre-de-Bearn 26km; Salies-de-Bearn 27km; Capbreton 28km; Hossegor 29km; Sare 29km; Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port 29km; Saint Jean de Luz 33km; La Rhune 33km; Ciboure 34km; Dax 35km; Orthez 40km; Hendaye 43km; Hondarribia 44km;
See these places and more on a map at places near La Bastide-Clairence
La Bastide-Clairence tourism: sights and attractions nearby
Jardins de la villa Arnaga - remarkable garden (14km) : Marais d'Orx - site of natural beauty (22km) : Parc du Sarrat - remarkable garden (35km) : Vallée des Aldudes - site of natural beauty (38km) : Courant de Huchet - site of natural beauty (51km) : Gorges d'Holzarté - site of natural beauty (54km) : Oloron-Sainte-Marie - town of art and history (58km) : Gorges de Kakoetta - site of natural beauty (59km) :
French version: see La Bastide-Clairence (Francais)
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