Le Pays Basque

Ilbarritz, right in the heart of the Basque Country

Spending your holiday at Yelloh! Village in Ilbarritz means discovering the Basque Country, its originality, culture, and its scenery from the Atlantique Coast to the Pyrenees Mountains.  Stroll through the lovely seaside resort of Bidart, discover our distinctive cities such as Biarritz or Bayonne, or even Donostia (San Sebastian) in Spain.  Come taste Basque gastronomy and attend a pelota match.

1. Biarritz

Just a few miles from the campsite, you'll enjoy Biarritz, a varying city that sits along the Basque coast with all its charm from the Belle Epoque and sumptuous mansions of diverse styles such as Art Nouveau, Art Deco, Neo-Basque .. Take a walk along the Grande Plage with the magnificent Hôtel du Palais on the horizon, admire the Rocher de la Vierge and the Gustave Eiffel footbridge or take a gourmet break at one of the restaurants in the Port des Pêcheurs (fishermen's port).

Biarritz, a thalassatherapy city, is also surfers' paradise.  Surf capital since the 1950's, Biarritz attracts surfers from around the world who come to catch a wave on the Atlantic Coast, surfing, long boarding or bodyboarding.

2. Rhune Mountain Train

Discover the Basque Country by railway with the little tourist train on the Rhune, a famous Basque mountain.  From the top of the summit reaching almost 3000 feet in altitude, the Rhune has a breathtaking panorama (listed in the Michelin guide) of the Pyrenees' peaks and the Basque coast which runs along the Atlantic Ocean from Saint Sebastian to Biarritz.

3. Basques Traditions

The Basque Country has a strong cultural heritage from its oral and social traditions, carried on via Basque song and music.  Inspired from rural history and daily traditions from yesteryear, "Force Basque" trials (tug of war, stone lifting, throwing bales of hay, etc..) are known worldwide. A genuine means of social expression, Basque pelota is a popular game "par excellence" which is played in every village at outside frontons or indoor trinquets.

4. Local Gastronomy

Basque cuisine is very rich and varied: poulet basquaise (chickenà, brebis or sheep's milk cheese, basque boudin sausage garnished with onions, Espelette pepper, and Bayonne ham whose reputation holds its own... Basques like to prepare their dishes "à la basquaise" which means mixing tomatoes, peppers, garlic and onions together and adding a pinch of Espelette pepper.  Don't leave without having tasted piperade, stuffed baby squid, a codfish omelet or calf sweetbread with morel mushrooms.  On the sweet side, the Basque Country has a long history of chocolate making which earned it the title of France's chocolate capital.  Come discover this activity by tasting some highly renowned refined sweets.

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