bayonne, City of art and history at the confluence of the nive and the adour

From the Pic du Midi de Bigorre where it rises, the Adour takes a diversion through the Gers and the Landes before ending its journey in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques at Anglet. Only a few kilometres before it meets the Atlantic Ocean, its waters welcome the Nive river, which comes from the mountains of Basse-Navarre. At the confluence of the river and the Nive, the city of Bayonne has grown, at the crossroads of the Pyrenean and Atlantic cultures. The Romans had already chosen this site to set up a port and a garrison camp. The commercial activity of this port exploded during the English domination under the Plantagenets. In the 15th century, when Bayonne became part of the Kingdom of France, the town became a stronghold and remained so until the dawn of the 20th century. The citadel and ramparts built by Vauban at the request of Louis XIV bear witness to Bayonne’s military past. Very well preserved and enhanced by green spaces, these ramparts are a pleasant place to walk in Bayonne.

Bayonne was awarded the City of Art and History label in 2011. It owes this in particular to its well-preserved old town where Sainte-Marie cathedral stands proudly. This beautiful Gothic cathedral, topped by two majestic spires, was built between the 13th and 16th centuries. It opens onto a superb cloister, the largest cloister in France. From the cathedral, the rue du Port-Neuf leads to the banks of the Adour. This street is one of the most typical in the city. It is lined with arcaded houses that house craftsmen and terraces of cafés and restaurants. If you are a chocolate lover, don’t miss a break at Cazenave, a particularly famous chocolate maker in Bayonne. Take the time to stroll through the pedestrian streets of the old town and admire the beautiful facades of the half-timbered houses. One of the most beautiful views is probably from the banks of the river Nive, where tall houses are crowded together. The ideal spot for a souvenir photo of Bayonne to take back from your camping holiday in Bayonne with your caravan, tent or motorhome. If you have time, a visit to the Basque Museum will allow you to learn more about the regional culture and the history of the city.

Bayonne, a gourmet city

In addition to its architecture, Bayonne also stands out for its many traditions and its gastronomic wealth, with its famous ham at the forefront. It is a must for any stay in the Basque Country. Protected by a PGI (Protected Geographical Indication), this ham must respect very precise specifications: selection of breeds, salting with Salies du Béarn salt and a minimum of 7 months maturing. It can be eaten as tapas, accompanied by guindillas (sweet peppers in vinegar), in the many bars of Bayonne. If you like ham, choose to come camping in Bayonne during Holy Week. This is the date when the Bayonne Ham Fair is held, a convivial and gourmet moment.

The other great gastronomic speciality of Bayonne is its chocolate. Cocoa arrived in Bayonne in the 17th century in the suitcases of Jews expelled from Spain and Portugal. The presence of the port and the intense trading activity then contributed to the development of the chocolate industry in Bayonne. From the 19th century onwards, Bayonne was considered the chocolate capital of France. This tradition has been maintained to this day, as can be seen from the many chocolate shops, pastry shops and confectioners that dot the shopping arcades of the Rue du Port-Neuf and the pedestrianised streets of the old town. To learn more about Bayonne’s chocolate, you can opt for the guided tours organised by the tourist office or visit the chocolate museum. You can also time your stay in the Pyrénées-Orientales around the dates of the Bayonne chocolate days. For 3 days in May, the city celebrates its chocolate with visits, tastings, etc. Whatever you do, make sure you fill up on chocolate during your camping holiday in Bayonne, otherwise your friends will be angry with you!

The festivities in Bayonne

Let’s be clear. If you like crowds of people and music until the end of the night, the Bayonne Festivals are for you. If, on the other hand, you want to visit Bayonne peacefully, choose another date for your camping holiday in the Basque Country. For five days, on the last weekend of July, the city centre, which is closed to traffic, is invaded by hundreds of thousands of people in white and red colours to watch the Landes cow races, fireworks, Basque pelota tournaments, popular dances and concerts that take place all over the city. It’s festive and friendly and there’s something for everyone. Unless of course you prefer peace and quiet!

Our campsites in Bayonne

A selection of caravan, tent and motorhome campsites near Bayonne.

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firenze, city of arts

The biggest problem on your first camping holiday in Tuscany is how to reconcile the desire to take your time and enjoy the gentle way of life that pervades the whole region, strolling through the colourful markets or sipping a glass of chianti in the shade of an olive tree in the cobbled piazza of a medieval village, with the desire to see as much as possible. For a long time now, Tuscany has been a land of artists. And few places in the world can boast such a wealth of masterpieces. Its cities, in particular, contain architectural treasures left over from the great hours of the Middle Ages and especially from the Italian Renaissance. Here, each façade, each fountain or each church is a source of wonder. It must be said that in the 14th and 15th centuries, when Italian art was lighting up Europe, Tuscany was home to, or saw the passing of, all the greatest creators of the time. Sculptors, painters or architects, all seem to have made an appointment to turn the region into a real museum. If all the cities can boast one or more monuments of great beauty, our preference is for Firenze, Pisa or Siena. Firenze is the jewel of the region. The entire city is a veritable museum with some of the most spectacular Renaissance monuments and the world’s finest collection of Renaissance and medieval paintings. Here, the glorious past of the city where the Medici ruled is present at every corner. Its cathedral, with its sumptuous pink, white and green marble façade, is one of the most famous monuments in the country, and the Palazzio Vecchio, the city’s traditional seat of government, offers a glimpse of 14th-century Florentine magnificence. Such a profusion of masterpieces has one unfortunate consequence, however: the influx of tourists from all over the world. For these must-see sites, remember to book your place in advance.

pisa, a leaning city

In Pisa, the Piazza dei Miracoli, dominated by the famous Leaning Tower, has a cathedral (Duomo) which was once the largest in Europe. Its facade, with its green and ivory marble stripes, served as a model for the Romanesque churches of Tuscany. If you look closely at the city, you will be surprised to discover that, although it owes its reputation to its tower, it is the whole city that is leaning. The soil of the city is in fact composed of a mixture of sand and clay which makes it particularly loose. The medieval architects did not take this into account. Thus, without reaching the inclination of the tower, the Duomo or the Palazzo Agostini also lean. So do many of the bell towers in Pisa. But this does not detract from their majesty.

Siena, medieval city famous for its Palio

Siena, on the other hand, is a medieval city where Gothic triumphs over Renaissance art. Its cathedral, in particular, is a jewel of its kind. However, the main interest of the city lies in its maze of cobbled streets and its historic centre, where traffic is prohibited wherever possible. If Siena can be visited at any time of the year with the same pleasure, discovering the city during the Palio, its mythical horse race where the different districts of Siena compete, is a unique experience. For those who are not afraid of crowds!

tuscany, land of good food

Alongside these large towns, Tuscany has a multitude of small towns and medieval villages, often perched on the hills. Although their architectural interest is more or less great, they often have a more authentic charm than the large Tuscan cities. However, towns and villages are only one of the many aspects of Tuscany. You have to leave them to discover the rich countryside where vines and olive trees are grown. For the land is an essential element of Tuscan culture. It is synonymous with good things. The region has 8 DOCG (Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita) wines, including the famous Chianti. But don’t hesitate to move away from these most famous appellations and try some of the less prestigious wines, which hold some tasty surprises, especially off the Etruscan coast, south of Livorno.

Nature tuscany

Because of the exceptional artistic heritage of its cities or the finesse of its agricultural production, we often tend to forget that Tuscany is also a region where nature holds an important place. This small piece of Italy has three national parks: the Parco Nazionale delle Foreste Casentinesi (the largest and best preserved forest in Italy), the Parco Nazionale den Apenino Tocano Emiliano (which encompasses the Apennines) and the Parco Nazionale dell’Arcipelago Toscano, the largest marine park in Italy. According to legend, Venus was born in the latter, throwing jewels into the sea on occasion. These would have become the islands of the archipelago off Piombino, the largest being the island of Elba. He reminds us that Tuscany has a large coastline dotted with Etruscan archaeological sites and seaside resorts where it is good to come and bask in the sun and taste some seafood specialities.

our campsites for caravan, tent or motorhome in Tuscany

We offer you a selection of campsites in Tuscany for your holiday in a caravan, tent or motorhome.

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