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French Basque Countryside Tour from San Sebastian

5 (29)
Saint-Etienne-de-Baigorry, FR
5 (29)
Saint-Etienne-de-Baigorry, FR
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Escape the bustling streets of San Sebastian and embark on a journey into the enchanting French Basque Countryside. This small group tour will take you on a scenic route, crossing the border into France through a historic mountain pass. Immerse yourself in the local way of life as you visit charming villages and explore the picturesque countryside. Discover the quaint town of St. Étienne de Baïgorry, with its traditional charm and beautiful scenery. Continue to the famous town of Saint Jean Pied de Port, known as the starting point of the pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela. Learn about its rich history and enjoy a leisurely lunch before heading to the colorful village of Espelette, famous for its dried red peppers. Experience the beauty and charm of the French Basque Countryside on this unforgettable tour. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included for your convenience.

About this experience

  • Free Cancellation For a full refund cancel at least before the start of your booking
  • 8 hours
  • Suitable for 2-6 Participants
  • Private Tour, Small Group Tour
  • Guided Experience
  • Scenic countryside road to cross the border into France
  • Quaint town of St. Étienne de Baïgorry
  • Charming town of Saint Jean Pied de Port
  • Learning about the history of Camino de Santiago
  • Opportunity to stroll through the colorful streets of Espelette
  • Private transportation
  • All fees and taxes
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off
  • Local guide
  • Driver/guide
  • Lunch

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More about this experience

Introduction

The French Basque Countryside Tour from San Sebastian offers a delightful escape from the bustling city and takes you on a journey through the peaceful and picturesque landscapes of the French Basque region. As you venture across the border into France, you'll travel along a mountain pass once used by smugglers, immersing yourself in the charm and beauty of the countryside. This tour provides a unique opportunity to learn about the local farmers' way of life and experience the significance of this enchanting area to the Basque Country. Throughout the day, you'll be captivated by breathtaking mountainous scenery and idyllic countryside vistas.

What to expect?

During this tour, you can expect a total duration of 480 minutes filled with exploration and discovery. The itinerary includes several exciting stops, starting with the quaint town of St. Étienne de Baïgorry. Here, you'll have the chance to soak in the town's character and charm before continuing to the beautiful town of Saint Jean Pied de Port, known as the starting point of the famous pilgrimage route to Santiago de Compostela. Enjoy a leisurely stroll through the village, learning about its historical importance, and take a break for lunch if desired. The tour concludes with a visit to the picturesque town of Espelette, renowned for its dried red peppers and vibrant streets filled with Basque produce.

Who is this for?

This tour is perfect for adventurers seeking a break from the city and a chance to explore the hidden gems of the French Basque countryside. Whether you're a history enthusiast intrigued by the significance of Saint Jean Pied de Port on the Camino de Santiago, a nature lover yearning for breathtaking mountain views, or a foodie eager to savor the flavors of Basque produce, this tour caters to a wide range of interests. It is suitable for both solo travelers and small groups, providing a personalized experience with a maximum of six guests per tour.

Why book this?

Escape the city and embark on an unforgettable journey through the French Basque Countryside. This tour combines captivating scenery, historical sites, and delicious local flavors, ensuring a truly immersive experience. Step back in time as you traverse the mountain pass once used by smugglers and embrace the authenticity of the Basque way of life. With a small group setting, you'll have the opportunity to connect with fellow travelers, allowing for a more intimate and personalized adventure. From the charming streets of Saint Jean Pied de Port to the vibrant town of Espelette, every moment of this tour promises to be enchanting and unforgettable.

Good to know

This tour includes convenient hotel pickup and drop-off, ensuring a stress-free experience from start to finish. Throughout the journey, you'll be accompanied by experienced guides who will share their insights into the local culture, history, and traditions. Prepare for a day filled with walking and exploration, so comfortable shoes and weather-appropriate clothing are recommended. Don't miss the chance to shop for unique Basque produce in Espelette, where you can discover the flavors that define the region. This tour offers a perfect blend of relaxation, education, and adventure, making it an ideal choice for anyone seeking an authentic and immersive experience in the French Basque Countryside.

Reviews

Travelers who have embarked on the French Basque Countryside Tour rave about the stunning scenery and the knowledgeable guides who bring the history and culture of the region to life. Many praise the personalized experience provided by the small group setting, allowing for meaningful interactions and a deeper connection to the destination. Visitors particularly enjoy exploring the charming streets of Saint Jean Pied de Port and indulging in the local flavors of Espelette. Overall, the tour receives high marks for its combination of beautiful landscapes, cultural immersion, and attentive guides, making it a must-do for anyone visiting San Sebastian.

How long before the event do I need to book?

  • You can book at any time before the event

Vouchers accepted in the following formats

  • Mobile

Your Itinerary

Saint-Etienne-de-Baigorry

After morning pickup in San Sebastian, we will begin our journey taking the quiet and scenic countryside road to cross the border into France to spend the day in the French Basque Countryside. Our first stop will be the quaint town of St. Étienne de Baïgorry.

Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port

We will then continue our journey to the beautiful and charming town of Saint Jean Pied de Port, on the foothills of the Pyrenees. With its beautiful cobbled streets that run down hill across a quaint old bridge over the river Nive, the town is renown for being the starting point of the most popular route of the pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela on The Way of St. James (Camino de Santiago). After an easy-going stroll through the village while learning about its history and importance regarding the Camino de Santiago, you will get a break to enjoy lunch, if so desired, before continuing our route to our next stop.

Espelette

We will head towards the picturesque town of Espelette, famous for its dried red peppers that are hung to dry from its houses and shops during the summer season. You will get the opportunity to stroll through the colorful streets of the village and do some Basque-produce shopping before beginning our drive back to San Sebastian.

Reviews

(29)

5 (29)

P504ABjulier

We had an amazing day with Ander in tge Basque lands. His knowledge of history and the area was great. We enjoyed sampling local cheeses and pickles from the farmers and Ander bought us a great cherry pie baked by a local lady in one of the villages. It was simply a fab day and would recommend to anyone!

tsinkis

Great way to spend the day even though it was wet. Gave us an opportunity to taste some French basque delicacies and enjoy the market day. We would never have found these places on our own.

75jenniferv

My husband and I took a tour with Ander to the French Basque countryside and I don’t have the words to express what a wonderful experience it was! We ventured into parts of the countryside we never would have found on our own. Really enjoyed hearing a local’s perspective on Basque culture. And the company owners went out of their way to ensure the remainder of our stay in Spanish Basque was a world class experience. THANK YOU Go Basque!!

Evan C

We had a wonderful day with our tour guide Ruben. He was very friendly, knowledgeable, and accommodating. Highly recommend!

Joshua B

We had a great tour with Ruben. He took us to many beautiful French Basque towns and was very knowledgeable about the local history and culture. He also had some great food recommendations for when we returned to San Sebastián. Highly recommend this tour.

Companion06136380000

We had a wonderful tour with our guide Rueben! We loved visiting the small French villages and learning about their history and basque culture. Beautiful countryside and great company 10/10!

SonyaB1059

What a wonderful day we spent with Ander visiting a few of the many nearby medieval Basque villages. Our private tour with Ander has honestly been the most memorable part of our visit to San Sebastian. We especially appreciated the door-to-door service and the easy conversation with Ander, who was raised in San Sebastian. We learned not only about the areas we visited but about what life is like growing up, living and working here. We never felt rushed and Ander was open to stopping anywhere we liked. Our first stop was Sare, known for its delicious Gateau Basque (cake) and where fronton (jai alai) is the favorite pastime. Traveling the lush countryside to our next stop in Espelette, Ander pointed out the raised wooden huts built on towers used to trap migrating wood pigeons. Espelette is known for its production of espelette red peppers. The entire village has white houses with red or green shutters. It looked like a fairy tale town built as a temple to the little red peppers. The 17th century Basque church had a single aisle with wooden galleries and the scent of old wood. Ander knows all the places where you can taste the local cheese, chocolate or pate. Finally on to Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port which is the starting point and the most challenging part of the Camino de Santiago. The streets are steep and cobbled, dotted with pilgrim lodgings and many shops. The “way” is well-marked with directional arrows embedded into the cobblestone streets and signs taped to poles. Thank you Ander for so generously sharing your beautiful Basque countryside with us - a forever memory……..Sonya & Jake.

Daianalovetravel

Every little detail on this tour was very good. Jimi arrived early at the hotel for pick up. He came in a very big and comfortable Mercedes-Benz. During the drive to Bayonne he told us a lot of interesting information about the Basque country, He also recommended many things for us to do when we returned to San Sebastián. The tour itself was also perfect. We enoyed a great meal in San Juan de luz, right in front of the beach. We highly recommend this company, thank you!

collinsinaz

I can’t say enough about how terrific it was spending a day in beautiful Pays Basque with Ander. I knew just enough of the history of the region to provide a skeleton of knowledge, and Ander made it come to life with so much great detail. His choices for the trip are impeccable, doing a great job of avoiding big crowds while allowing you to experience the remarkable region. We entrusted our menu and souvenir choices to him, and he did not lead us astray. He also provided good travel and dining trips for us for San Sébastien, his hometown that he obviously loves so much and knows so well.

M4163TLmariaf

I would recommend this tour!! Ander is a great guide. Very knowledgeable of the area. All those small towns are beautiful.
Collected by Evendo & our supplier partners
2024-06-27 07:27