Tour France & Spain | Experience trip through French & Spanish Basque Country

In the Basque Country, ocean views, rolling hills and a proud regional identity form a natural harmony. This journey introduces both the French and Spanish sides: the vineyards around Bordeaux, the oyster villages of Arcachon, and the elegant coastal towns of Bayonne, Biarritz and Saint-Jean-de-Luz.

Further inland, a green landscape unfolds with villages decorated with strings of red peppers and ancient pilgrimage paths leading towards the Pyrenees. The trip ends in Spanish Basque Country, where Bilbao and San Sebastián impress with world-class art, architecture and celebrated cuisine. A varied journey that leads you through the very best of this distinctive region, step by step.

Day 1: Arrival in the Bordeaux region

Your journey begins as you drive south, where the Gironde gradually opens into a landscape of vineyards and pine forests. You arrive at one of our carefully selected hotels near Bordeaux. After the long drive, a gentle evening stroll or a first glass of local wine is the perfect welcome. You stay 3 nights at a Caractère address near Bordeaux.

Day 2: The highest dune in Europe

Today revolves around the Atlantic coast. The Dune du Pilat rises 107 metres above the forest and the ocean, offering a panorama that instantly quiets the mind. You then descend towards Arcachon, where the bay sparkles between fishermen’s huts and peaceful beaches. On the way to Cap Ferret, you follow the winding coastline dotted with small oyster ports. The scent of salt and fresh seafood fills the air, an irresistible invitation to taste the region’s renowned oysters, cultivated here in impressive quantities each year.

Day 3: Bordeaux & surroundings You begin the day in Libourne, a medieval port town that once prospered thanks to the trade of wool, timber and wine. The atmosphere shifts when you enter Saint-Émilion: narrow lanes winding between golden façades, wine shops with wooden shutters and quiet squares that immediately charm.

In Bordeaux, you discover a city where tradition and modernity live side by side with ease. You walk past elegant squares, contemporary architecture and characterful neighbourhoods. If you like, a private guided bike tour offers a relaxed and refreshing way to get to know the soul of this wine capital.

Day 4: Through Europe’s largest pine forest to Biarritz

Today the landscape changes once more. You pass through the Landes, a region where pine trees stretch endlessly towards the horizon and soft light filters between the branches. Lakes lie hidden in the greenery, until the road suddenly opens onto the Atlantic coast. This is the beginning of French Basque Country: red-and-white houses, deep-blue sea and a way of life that feels instantly different. You spend 3 nights on the Basque coast or in the Pyrenees.

Day 5: The French Basque coast

Bayonne offers a lively introduction to Basque identity: colourful façades along the Nive and Adour rivers, narrow streets and an atmosphere that is both traditional and full of energy.

Biarritz charms with its elegant past. Once a modest fishing port, later the summer retreat of Empress Eugénie, its refined character is still palpable as you stroll along the seafront.

In Saint-Jean-de-Luz, the pace shifts noticeably. The fishing port, the soft colours of the houses and the church where Louis XIV married create a delightful backdrop for a slow afternoon. A town that wins you over effortlessly with its authenticity.

Day 6: The rolling foothills of the Pyrenees

Between sea and mountains stretches a green, tranquil countryside full of character. You pass through Espelette, where strings of red peppers hang from the façades, giving the village its distinctive charm.

Further on lies Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port, at the foot of the Pyrenees. The town breathes history as the starting point of the famous Camino Francés. For centuries, pilgrims filled these streets, an atmosphere still present in its cafés, small shops and old bridges.

Day 7: Via San Sebastián to Bilbao

After a short drive you cross the border to Hondarribia, a coastal town with medieval walls, colourful wooden balconies and a deep connection to the sea. A walk through the old town reveals an even more relaxed rhythm.

You then continue to your stay in San Sebastián or Bilbao, two cities that each showcase a different facet of Basque Country. You spend 3 nights in Spanish Basque Country.

Day 8: Bilbao or Vitoria-Gasteiz

Bilbao impresses with its fascinating blend of architecture and art. The Guggenheim remains a highlight, but the historic Casco Viejo also bustles with pintxo bars and small boutiques.

For a calmer day, head to Vitoria-Gasteiz, one of Europe’s greenest cities. Broad avenues, parks and an easy-going atmosphere give it a distinct personality, a pleasant and unexpected contrast to the coastal area.

Day 9: San Sebastián / Donostia, Spain’s culinary capital

San Sebastián is the beating heart of Basque gastronomy. With the highest number of Michelin stars per square metre in the world and countless pintxo bars, you’ll always find a place that draws you in. You stroll along La Concha, a perfectly shaped bay between Monte Igueldo and Monte Urgull, with views that shift at every step. Art lovers can continue to nearby Hernani, where the museum and sculpture garden of Eduardo Chillida offer a peaceful interlude.

Day 10: Return or extension

You begin the journey home or choose to prolong your stay in a Caractère hotel in northern Spain or France. A stop in Cognac or along the Loire makes the return journey even more enjoyable.