Béarn & the Basque Country (France + Spain)
You’re staying in a part of Europe where you can spend the morning in a medieval village, have lunch on the Atlantic coast, and be back for dinner with mountain air in your lungs. Within about 1.5 hours drive, you’ll find caves with prehistoric art, iconic Basque coastal towns, beautiful mountain hikes, surf beaches, and food that makes people consider moving here permanently.
Signature experiences
Basque day trip: Espelette + Michelin-star dining
A highlight we often include as part of our workshop programme is a day trip to the beautiful Basque village of Espelette, paired with a special meal at Choko Ona (a one-star Michelin restaurant), followed by a cave visit.
Photo: Espelette – Rue avec maisons typiques basques by Marianne Casamance, via Wikimedia Commons. License: CC BY 4.0. (No changes made.)
Prehistoric caves and extraordinary rock formations
We normally propose a 2 hour private visit to the Grottes d’Isturitz & Oxocelhaya as part of our workshop programme. These caves are known for prehistoric drawings and spectacular rock formations. It’s truly an unforgettable experience.
Nature and Hiking
Basque Country & Pyrenees hikes
If you love walking, you’re in the right place. The Basque Country and the Pyrenees offer everything from canyons, spectacular mountains and rivers to beautiful waterfalls.
A highlight close by is the Holzarte Footbridge — a hanging footbridge over a canyon that feels like a real-life adventure film moment.
On the Spanish side, we recommend exploring the beauty of the ‘grand canyon’ D’Ordesa Canyon .
Photo: WLE – 2020 – Parque nacional de Ordesa y Monte Perdido by Moahim, via Wikimedia Commons. License: CC BY 4.0. (No changes made.)
Medieval villages and slow-luxury days
Beautiful nearby towns for exploring
Two charming medieval villages are especially close:
Salies-de-Béarn: often described as a “mini Venice,” with a river through the town and very charming vibes. It also has thermal baths and spas with treatment options.
Navarrenx: – a gorgeous walled medieval village (think “mini Carcassonne”), with an amphitheater, summer evening concerts, and a local market.
Photo: Salies-de-Béarn by Gael, via Wikimedia Commons. License: CC BY-SA 2.0 (No changes made.)
Coast days: surf, beaches, and seaside towns
The Atlantic coast is only 50 minutes away — perfect for a long beach walk, a seaside lunch or even a surf lesson.
Surf hotspots include Hossegor and Cap Breton. For classic elegance and beach culture, head to Biarritz.
The Spanish Basque Coast is a highlight for art history and stunning nature.
You can visit Gernika-Lumo: associated with Pablo Picasso’s famous work Guernica, and explore striking coastal rock formations such as Itzurun Beach.
Photo: Playa de Itzurun o San Telmo by Simonico, via Wikimedia Commons. License: CC BY 4.0. (No changes made.)
Culture and cities (France + Spain)
If you want a city day—shopping, architecture, galleries, or simply a beautiful stroll—these are excellent choices, with train or bus access to all of them:
- Bayonne – a very pretty riverside city with a cathedral
- Saint-Jean-de-Luz – charming coastal town
- San Sebastian – especially famous for it’s tapas bars called ‘Pinxtos’ in Basque
- Bilbao – home of the Guggenheim Museum, plus a fantastic food scene in the old center
- Bordeaux or Toulouse – bigger city options for a full day (or an overnight stay before or after the workshop)
Photo: Cityscape – Bilbao, Spain – panoramio by Tommie Hansen, via Wikimedia Commons. License: CC BY 3.0. (No changes made.)
Local walks and activities
Right in our village, you can enjoy local walks along the river and the island in Sauveterre-de-Béarn, plus various paths connected to the Camino de Santiago route. In warmer months, guests love wild river swimming, and you can also find options for kayaking and paddle boarding locally.
Our region is also a big cycling area. You can rent bikes in Salies-de-Bearn and Saint-Palais
