Pyrenees-Atlantiques places to visit and attractions
Below you can explore some of the most popular highlights and places of interest in the Pyrenees-Atlantiques department of Aquitaine. See also our Pyrenees-Atlantiques travel guide
Ainhoa
Betwen sea and mountains, the basque village of Ainhoa is listed among the most beautiful villages in France See Ainhoa guide
Ainhoa church of Notre-Dame
The church in Ainhoa is a traditional Basque church with rows of balconies around the walls See Ainhoa church of Notre-Dame guide
Anglet
Anglet, close to Biarritz, has several kilometres of beaches on the French Atlantic coast See Anglet guide
Bayonne
Bayonne is a lovely historic city with a cathedral, a substantial old town and a charming riverside promenade See Bayonne guide
Bayonne cathedral
Bayonne cathedral is an imposing gothic style cathedral with a beautifully restored apse and an impressive cloister See Bayonne cathedral guide
Biarritz
The 19th century architecture and lovely beach and coast combine to make Biarritz a very popular destination See Biarritz guide
Cambo-les-Bains
Cambo-les-Bains is a small pleasant town, best known for its thermal waters and the gardens of the Villa Arnaga See Cambo-les-Bains guide
Cathedral Saint-Marie in Oloron-Sainte-Marie
The cathedral of Sainte-Marie is best known for its remarkable 12th century entrance See Cathedral Saint-Marie in Oloron-Sainte-Marie guide
Chateau de Pau
The Chateau de Pau is an impressive combination of the renaissance and 19th century architectural styles See Chateau de Pau guide
Church Sainte-Croix in Oloron-Sainte-Marie
The Church Sainte-Croix is an interesting roman style church built in the 12th century See Church Sainte-Croix in Oloron-Sainte-Marie guide
Ciboure
Once home to Maurice Ravel, Ciboure is a smal port and resort just south of Saint-Jean-de-Luz See Ciboure guide
Col d'Aubisque
The Col d'Aubisque is a beautiful mountain pass with views of numerous high mountains in the Pyrenees See Col d'Aubisque guide
Eaux-Bonnes
Eaux-Bonnes is a 19th century belle-epoque spa town at the base of the Col d'Aubisque See Eaux-Bonnes guide
Espelette
Home of red hot chillies, Espelette is a very traditional basque village in the western Pyrenees See Espelette guide
Gourette
Gourette s a small ski station on the route to the Col d'Aubisque near Eaux-Bonnes See Gourette guide
Hendaye
Hendaye, the last resort in France before the Spanish border, also has a popular large sandy beach See Hendaye guide
Hendaye church Saint-Vincent
The Church Saint-Vincent in Hendaye has a charming interior of tiered balconies and red walls See Hendaye church Saint-Vincent guide
Hondarribia
Hondarribia is just across the border in Spain but we included it because its a very nice historic town! See Hondarribia guide
Itxassou
Less visited than some of the traditional Basque villages here, Itxassou is very pleasant to explore See Itxassou guide
La Bastide-Clairence
Labastide-Clairence is another of the most picturesque villages in the Basque region See La Bastide-Clairence guide
La Rhune
The Rhune is a small Pyrenees mountain that you can go up in a scenic train - a nice way to enjoy the scenery. See La Rhune guide
Laas
Laas is a pretty village with a castle and roman style church in the gave d'Oloron valley See Laas guide
Laruns
Laruns is a pretty village, but it is the surrounding mountain scenery that attracts most visitors here See Laruns guide
Lescun
The village of Lescun is close to the Cirque de Lescun and other scenic highlights in the western pyrenees See Lescun guide
Navarrenx
Navarrenx is a traditional fortified French bastide town in the western pyrenees See Navarrenx guide
Oloron-Sainte-Marie
There are several sights of interest in Oloron-Saint-Marie including a picturesque section of river See Oloron-Sainte-Marie guide
Orthez
The 13th century stone bridge across the river is the highlight of your visit to Orthez See Orthez guide
Pau
The large town of Pau is well known for the views from the belvedere that cover a large section of Pyrenees mountains See Pau guide
Perpignan Palace of Kings of Majorca
The Palace of Kings of Majorca is an imposing fortress and royal residence in Perpignan, built of red brick in the 13th century See Perpignan Palace of Kings of Majorca guide
Saint-Jean-de-Luz
A long established beach resort, Saint-Jean-de-Luz also has a lively and popular town centre to explore See Saint-Jean-de-Luz guide
Saint-Jean-de-Luz church
The church of Saint John the Baptist in Saint-Jean-de-Luz has a remarkable interior with a baroque altar and tiered balconies See Saint-Jean-de-Luz church guide
Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port
The small village of Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port has a long established role on one of the important pulgrimage routes across France See Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port guide
Saint-Palais
Saint-Palais is a small town on the Bidouze river in the historic Navarre region of south-west France See Saint-Palais guide
Saint-Pee-sur-Nivelle
Saint-Pée-sur-Nivelle is a small basque village with a popular leisure lake See Saint-Pee-sur-Nivelle guide
Salies-de-Bearn
The small town of Salies-de-Bearn is a pleasure to explore, and a nice place to visit when you are passing through the region See Salies-de-Bearn guide
Sare
Sare is one of several traditional Basque towns in the western Pyrenees, with lots of houses in the local architectural style See Sare guide
Sauveterre church of Saint-André
The church of Saint-André in Sauveterre is an interesting and charming roman style church built in the 12th century See Sauveterre church of Saint-André guide
Sauveterre-de-Bearn
The view from the terrace in front of the church in Sauveterre-de-Béarn is one of our favourites in the Basque Pyrenees region See Sauveterre-de-Bearn guideFor more information see the Pyrenees-Atlantiques guide
Market towns & days in Pyrenees-Atlantiques
all markets in morning unless otherwise stated
Anglet: Thursday & Sunday
Aramits: Sunday
Arthez-de-Bearn: Saturday
Artix: Wednesday & Sunday
Bayonne: Wednesday & Tuesday & Thursday & Saturday & Friday
Bedous: Thursday
Bidart: Saturday
Boucau: Saturday
Cambo-les-Bains: Wednesday & Friday
Castet: Thursday
Ciboure: Sunday
Gan: Wednesday
Hendaye: Wednesday & Thursday & Sunday & Saturday
Monein: Monday
Mourenx: Wednesday & Saturday
Navarrenx: Wednesday
Oloron-Sainte-Marie: Friday
Orthez: Tuesday
Pau: every day except Sunday
Saint Jean de Luz: Tuesday & Saturday & Friday
Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port: Monday all day
Saint-Palais: Friday
Salies-de-Bearn: Thursday
Tardets-Sorholus: Monday
Urrugne: Thursday
Ustaritz: Saturday
Tourist attractions to visit in Pyrenees-Atlantiques
The following sites have received official "tourist classifications"...
Zoo or wildlife park
Zoo d'Asson
Towns of Art and History
Oloron-Sainte-Marie: See tourist guide
Sites of Natural Beauty
Cirque de Saint-Engrace
Col d'Aubisque
Gorges d'Holzarté
Gorges de Kakoetta
Vallée d'Aspe
Vallée d'Ossau
Vallée des Aldudes
Secteur Sauvegardé (protected historical town centre)
Bayonne: See tourist guide
Listed 'Remarkable Gardens'
Jardin du château de Momas
Jardins de la villa Arnaga
Jardins du château de Viven
Villages classified as "most beautiful villages"
Ainhoa: See tourist guide
La Bastide-Clairence: See tourist guide
Sare: See tourist guide
UNESCO world heritage sites
Bayonne cathédrale de Sainte-Marie (monuments on French pilgrim routes): See tourist guide
Eglise St Blaise (monuments on French pilgrim routes)
Eglise, Oloron-Sainte-Marie (monuments on French pilgrim routes): See tourist guide
Porte St Jacques - St Jean Pied-de-Port (monuments on French pilgrim routes): See tourist guide