Campsite near Bidart

The Basque origin of the name “bide artean” means “between paths”, “at the crossroads”, and Bidart’s motto is “Bidartean Zuzena Onena”: the straightest path is the best. In the XIIᵉ century, Bidart was a fishing port, a stopover for pilgrims on their way to Santiago de Compostela, and a busy coaching inn. In fact, this was the route taken by Louis XIV on his way to Saint-Jean-de-Luz for his marriage to the Spanish infanta Maria Theresa in 1660. To prepare for your visit, visit the official Bidart Tourism website.

The village center is the beating heart of Bidart. Around the Place Sauveur Atchoarena stand the town hall, the 16th-century church and the Basque pelota court. Whitewashed houses with oxblood or green half-timbering bear witness to traditional Labourdine architecture. This is where the main summer events take place, as well as the activities that keep the village alive throughout the year.

To visit Bidart is to stroll between the local shops, the tourist office and the welcoming terraces. Every Saturday morning, the 4 Seasons Market brings together local producers and craftsmen: cheeses, charcuterie, Basque products, jams and delicacies. On Tuesdays, a regional produce fair completes this gourmet offering. Every second Sunday of the month, mutxiko (Basque community dances) bring the square to life: beginners can join in and learn on the spot!

In July and August, on Tuesday and Friday evenings, watch authentic Basque pelota matches with grand chistera on the main court. A chance to discover this iconic sport with the best players in the discipline.

Bidart’s coat of arms, created in 1958, recalls its past as a whale-hunting village: a harpoon, a ship sailing the waves, and the watchtower “Koskenia” located at the far end of Parlementia beach. Whale hunting was practiced between the autumn and spring equinoxes, from September to March, when right whales or “Basque whales” came to feed in the Bay of Biscay. Harpooners set out from the port of Uhabia aboard whaling boats, crossing the powerful waves enjoyed by surfers today. The port has disappeared, but Uhabia beach keeps the memory of that era alive.

Notre-Dame-de-l’Assomption church, dating from the XVIᵉ century, houses an oriental-style baptismal font donated by Queen Nathalie of Serbia in 1902, a handcrafted wooden crucifix and a solid oak statue of St. James. The surrounding cemetery features old Basque tombs adorned with discoidal steles.

The Sainte-Madeleine chapel, dedicated to sailors, offers a breathtaking view of the Basque coast and the Pyrenees chain from its esplanade. Situated at the top of the cliff, it was an essential milestone for pilgrims on their way to Santiago de Compostela. A few steps away, the World War II Memorial recalls the fate of Basque refugees from Spain and the Resistance during the Occupation.

Discovering Bidart means enjoying six supervised beaches in season, along 5 kilometers of coastline with a spectacular panorama overlooking the Pyrenees. Each has its own character and appeal:

Ilbarritz beach, to the north, with its promenade and children’s playground, is the most family-friendly. Pavillon Royal, with its wilder look, stretches over a kilometer of fine sand: less easily accessible, it remains less crowded and offers a feeling of being at the end of the world. Erretegia beach, nestled in the Sensitive Natural Area of the same name, is the ideal place to learn to surf. Centre beach, a stone’s throw from the village, stands out for its seawall and limited access at high tide. Uhabia beach holds the Handiplage label and welcomes bathers and surfers in a festive atmosphere. Finally, Parlementia beach, to the south, is world-famous for its legendary wave that inspired a streetwear brand of the same name: it is reserved for experienced surfers.

Bidart has been awarded the “Ville de Surf 2 étoiles” label by the French Surfing Federation. As early as the 1960s, young local surfers gathered under the umbrella of the “Kostakoak” Basque pelota association (those from the coast) to practice this board sport. Numerous surf schools, shapers and surf shops perpetuate this culture.

The Sentier du Littoral (Coastal Path), which starts at Erretegia beach, offers a 25-kilometer trail along the Basque coast to Hendaye. Punctuated by educational markers on maritime history, fishing and local geology, it crosses the esplanade of the Chapelle Sainte-Madeleine, the little port of Guéthary, the Pointe de Sainte-Barbe and the Basque coastline as far as the Château d’Abbadia.

The Uhabia greenway, accessible to all (on foot, by bike or scooter), is a 6-kilometer walk that crosses Bidart from west to east. It runs along the banks of the Uhabia river, skirts the Ur Onea retention basin and continues to the Bassilour mill.

For geocaching enthusiasts, two Terra Aventura routes offer a chance to discover Bidart on the themes of water (“Springs, whales and sailors”) and wartime memories (“The tough guys of the Atlantic”).

Inland, the Bassilour Mill, still in operation since 1741, offers its artisanal production of shortbread, Basque cakes and cornmeal breads. Thanks to its horizontal wheel, wheat and corn are still ground using traditional stone millstones. An unmissable gourmet visit!

The Couteliers Basques workshop, housed in the old Etxettoa farmhouse, perpetuates the original creation of the Mizpira, an artisanal pocket knife made from scarified medlar. The Ona Pilota workshop, run by two brothers who are Cesta Punta world champions, invites you to discover how pelotes and chisteras are made: a unique experience immersed in Basque traditions.

Tourism in Bidart offers a wide choice of activities for the whole family. The Ilbarritz golf course, France’s leading international training center, boasts an exceptional setting overlooking the ocean. Its 9-hole course and 13 workshops are ideal for both beginners and top-level golfers.

For children, Bid’a Parc offers 8,000 m² of rides, water games, inflatables, zip lines, trampolines and a mini-farm from April to October. Summer events feature Basque culture: demonstrations of Basque strength, pelota tournaments, royal cow races, concerts and traditional song festivals.