Bayonne: The Complete Guide

Bayonne, located in the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region, is a delightful city that charms visitors with its vibrant atmosphere and picturesque streets lined with colorful half-timbered houses. Strolling through the lively old town, you’ll encounter inviting cafés, chocolate shops, and bustling markets, perfect for experiencing authentic Basque culture. The Nive and Adour rivers converge here, creating scenic riverbanks ideal for leisurely walks or sipping drinks at sunset.

Food lovers will especially appreciate Bayonne, known for its world-famous ham and rich culinary traditions. Local restaurants serve up delicious pintxos, fresh seafood, and traditional dishes showcasing regional produce. Whether exploring the cathedral and charming boutiques by day or enjoying lively evening events and festivals, Bayonne offers a warm, welcoming atmosphere that makes it an essential stop in southwestern France.

History of Bayonne

Bayonne in Antiquity

Under Roman rule, Bayonne—then known as Lapurdum—emerged as a strategic settlement at the confluence of two rivers. Archaeological finds reveal a fortified castrum with stone ramparts, warehouses for trade goods and a network of roads linking to Burdigala and Oloron. Local artisans produced pottery stamped “Lapurdum,” while merchants shipped salt, garum and regional timber along the waterways, laying the foundation for centuries of maritime commerce.

Bayonne in the Early Middle Ages

With the collapse of Roman authority, Bayonne fell under successive Visigothic and Frankish dominion. By the 6th century, a bishopric had been established, and a modest cathedral rose atop remnants of the old castrum. The town’s river crossing and timber resources drew Viking raiders in the 9th and 10th centuries, prompting new wooden palisades and early motte-and-bailey fortifications to protect both clergy and merchants.

Bayonne in the High and Late Middle Ages

Throughout the 12th and 13th centuries, Bayonne flourished as a free port under the Counts of Labourd, exporting Basque salted herring and wool to England and Flanders. English suzerainty from 1152 (via Eleanor of Aquitaine’s marriage to Henry II) reinforced links with Gascony, and significant stone fortifications—including the first city walls and watchtowers—were constructed. By the late Middle Ages, Bayonne’s guilds and maritime confraternities had grown powerful, underwriting navies and cathedral expansions in the Gothic style.

Bayonne in the Renaissance and Early Modern Period

The 16th century brought economic diversification as Bayonne’s shipyards launched merchant vessels bound for the Americas, while local entrepreneurs invested in tanneries and chocolate workshops—Bayonne became renowned for its cacao imports. Religious tensions of the Wars of Religion echoed here, but pragmatic urban elites maintained trade and civic order. In the 17th century, Vauban’s engineers reinforced Bayonne’s ramparts and bastions, transforming it into a star-shaped fortress integral to France’s Atlantic defenses.

Bayonne during the Revolution and 19th Century

Revolutionary upheaval saw Bayonne’s church lands seized and its elite partially displaced, yet the city retained its naval arsenal and port functions. The 19th century ushered in railway connections to Paris and Bordeaux, spurring industrial growth in brewing, sugar-refining and shipbuilding. Grand boulevards replaced medieval alleys, gas lighting illuminated the quays, and public gardens opened, even as efforts began to preserve the cathedral and cloisters.

Bayonne in the 20th and 21st Centuries

Two world wars transformed Bayonne into a strategic military and refugee center, with fortifications repurposed and local populations sheltering displaced civilians. Post-war reconstruction modernized the port and airport, while cultural revival movements championed Basque language, music and dance. Today, Bayonne balances its living heritage—festivals of Basque pelota and chocolate fairs—with contemporary arts, sustainable urban planning and continued maritime trade.

Visiting Bayonne for the first time and wondering what are the top places to see in the city? In this complete guide, I share the best things to do in Bayonne on the first visit. To help you plan your trip, I have also included an interactive map and practical tips for visiting!

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1. Bayonne Cathédrale Sainte-Marie de Bayonne

The soaring twin spires and richly carved façade of Bayonne’s Cathédrale Sainte-Marie make it the city’s most iconic landmark. Inside, the cool Romanesque-Gothic nave leads to a luminous choir lined with 13th-century stained-glass windows depicting scenes from the Old and New Testaments. Entry is free; the cathedral is open daily from 9 am to 6 pm.

Beneath the main floor lies a network of crypts accessible via guided tours (€4; 11 am & 3 pm, April–November). Here, torchlit vaults reveal early medieval sarcophagi and the remains of original Roman foundations, offering a fascinating glimpse into Bayonne’s spiritual roots.

2. Bayonne Cloître de la Cathédrale

Adjoining the cathedral, the 13th-century cloister provides a tranquil oasis of colonnaded walkways and sculpted capitals. Free to enter; open daily from 8 am to 7 pm.

Wander among shaded arcades where monks once paced in contemplation, pausing at the central garden to admire the interplay of light and shadow on the stone. Occasional classical concerts and choral recitals held here add to the cloister’s serene atmosphere.

3. Bayonne Château Vieux

Perched on a rocky outcrop overlooking the confluence of the Nive and Adour rivers, the medieval keep known as Château Vieux offers panoramic views across Bayonne. The exterior is free to explore 24/7; interior access is restricted but special guided visits are sometimes organized by the tourist office.

Photographers will find the best vantage points at dawn or dusk, when warm light bathes the ancient battlements. Informational panels around the base recount the fortress’s role in defending the city during the Hundred Years’ War.

4. Bayonne Musée Basque et de l’Histoire de Bayonne

Housed in a traditional Basque townhouse, this museum delves into both local Basque culture and Bayonne’s urban evolution. Admission €5; open Tuesday–Saturday 10 am–1 pm and 2 pm–6 pm, Sunday 2 pm–6 pm.

Exhibits cover everything from traditional ikurriña flags and pelota equipment to archaeological finds from the Adour riverbed. Interactive displays and audiovisual presentations bring Basque festivals, cuisine and craftsmanship vividly to life.

5. Bayonne Musée Bonnat-Helleu

Located in a beautifully restored mansion, the Musée Bonnat-Helleu showcases Old Master paintings alongside 19th-century works collected by painter Léon Bonnat. Admission €8; open Tuesday–Sunday 10 am–12:30 pm and 2 pm–6 pm.

Highlight pieces include works by El Greco, Rembrandt and Ingres, as well as drawings by Degas and Corot. The museum’s intimate rooms, adorned with gilded frames and ornate plasterwork, provide an elegant setting for art lovers to linger.

6. Bayonne Halles de Bayonne

A bustling food market under a striking glass-and-steel canopy, the Halles de Bayonne is open daily from 7 am to 1 pm (closed Mondays). Entry is free.

Stallholders offer fresh oysters from nearby Arcachon, Bayonne ham, local cheeses and seasonal produce. Mid-morning, the market comes alive with tasting bars serving cured meats and regional wines—an unmissable taste of Basque gastronomy.

7. Bayonne Adour River Cruise

Board a traditional gabarre barge for a 45-minute cruise along the Adour, with departures from Quai Chaho at 10 am, 2 pm and 4 pm (April–October). Tickets are €12 for adults, €6 for children.

As you glide beneath historic bridges and past riverside battlements, narrated commentary recounts tales of maritime trade and local legends. Sunset cruises add a romantic dimension, with the city’s warm hues reflected on the water.

8. Bayonne Petit Train Touristique

The charming “little train” offers a 40-minute loop through Bayonne’s Old Town, riverside quays and Château Vieux viewpoints. Departures at 10 am, 11 am, 2 pm and 4 pm (April–September) from Place de la Liberté. Tickets cost €6 for adults and €3 for children.

Padded seats and large windows ensure a comfortable ride, while the multilingual audio guide highlights architectural gems and colorful anecdotes about Bayonne’s past. It’s ideal for families or anyone wanting an overview before exploring on foot.

9. Bayonne Plage de la Chambre d’Amour

Just 4 km from the city centre in Anglet, this wide sandy beach is free and open year-round. Early morning surfers catch the first waves, while sunbathers enjoy panoramic views of the Basque coast.

Beachfront cafés serve light lunches and refreshments, making it easy to spend a full day by the sea. A seaside promenade links to neighbouring Anglet beaches for those seeking a longer coastal stroll.

10. Bayonne Ramparts and Porte d’Espagne

Bayonne’s medieval ramparts still encircle parts of the Old Town, punctuated by the impressive Porte d’Espagne gateway. Free to explore; open 24/7.

Walk along the grassy rampart walkways to enjoy bird’s-eye views of terracotta rooftops and the intertwining rivers below. Interpretive boards at key points describe the fortifications’ evolution from the 13th century through Vauban’s 17th-century redesign.