Bayonne, a city of two rivers !

BAYONNE FÊTE

End of July, beginning of August.

Bayonne would not be Bayonne without its famous fête!
It has existed since 1932 and lasts for 5 days and nights. It is one of the largest popular gatherings in the world!

From Wednesday until Sunday, the whole city is decked out in red and white, and is taken over by contagious joy.

Put on your white outfit and your biggest smile; go into the crowds with your red scarf in your hand and share in the inauguration of 5 days of popular jubilation starting with the first ritual on Wednesday night when the ‘keys’ of the city are thrown into the crowd from the town hall balcony under the watchful eye of the festival’s mascot, King Leon.

From district to district, street to street, bar to bar the festayres (the name given to all participants) are the artisans of this popular, traditional and musical festival. There is a multitude of entertainment including a version of running with bulls, dances, songs, street bands, illuminated floats, concerts, games for children: there is something for everyone… and for all ages!

Presiding over the festival, from his throne on the town hall balcony, is King Léon who ensures that good cheer prevails in the Bayonne Fêtes, as it has for so many years.

THE HAM FAIR

From Munday Thursday to Easter Sunday

This unusual event, which truly showcases Bayonne’s artisanal tradition, has become the leading gastronomic trade fair in the region. Sixty local producers set up their stands along the quays of the Rive Nive and in the covered market hall to promote their traditional knowhow and agricultural approach that focuses on the quality of their products and the environment.

For Bayonne, this is a fun, not-to-be-missed event that marks the start of the warmer season!


 

BULLFIGHTING

July, August and September.

A mixture of knowledge, passion and tradition, bullfighting is part of the history and heritage of Bayonne and the Basque Country. As the most ancient bullfighting town in France, Bayonne has a fair number of aficionados, and when the temporada, or season, starts they will be found cheering in the stands of the arena Marcel Dangou.
The most famous matadors regularly enter the Bayonne ruedo, or arena, to combat bulls from renowned breeders.

BAYONNE CELEBRATES ITS CHOCOLATE

Automne

Bayonne and chocolate is a story that has spanned four centuries with know-how being passed down from generation to generation. The Bayonnais chocolate-makers use a mixture of different cocoa beans to create their own original chocolate. This respected heritage trade of assembler-creator gives Bayonne chocolate a very special aspect.

In autumn, the academy of chocolate organises 3 days of activities under the title of “Bayone fête son chocolat”.
BAYONNE CELEBRATES ITS CHOCOLATE
For the whole weekend, the public are invited to taste, discover and participate in different workshops. Also, a series of conferences at the Basque Museum allows you to understand the history of chocolate and its roots in Bayonne.

 



 

Christmas in Bayonne

Décembre

The big wheel, fireworks, concerts, release of paper lanterns, entertainments, the Christmas chalet village and decorations: Bayonne is decked out in Christmas colours and proposes an array of different activities and cultural festive events over the whole month.

Sainte Marie Cathedral on the road to Saint James of  Compostella

Built in the Gothic style, it stands on the site of a Romanesque cathedral that was destroyed by fire in 1258. It was built in stages between the last half of the 13th century and the 14th century[CH1] . The spires were added in the 19th century thanks to a major operation led by Boeswillwad, a disciple of Viollet Leduc. Boeswillwad gave the Cathedral its graceful aspect that we can see today. The apsidal chapels off the ambulatory are decorated with paintings in the 14th century style, attributed to Stenhel while the stained glass windows are in the Chartres style.

The Cloister of Bayonne, some of the largest in France

It was constructed between the 13th and 14th centuries on the site of a Romanesque cloister and a part of its original wall still exists. It had various roles: a place of prayer, of procession, the cemetery and a public place. Important public figures and guilds also held meetings here. It did not escape the vandalism of the Revolution, the cloisters has been stripped of all ornaments. Nevertheless, it still houses some quite remarkable tombs and also the relics from the Cathedral.

 
 

Bayonne a stronghold : the Ramparts

Like a ring of stone polished by several centuries of history, the ramparts mark the first boundaries of the city.
Modified throughout the centuries, it was more particularly Vauban who, at the request of Louis XIV, finalised their current configuration.

Château-Vieux

Château-Vieux, built on the remains of the ancient Roman castrum, is a massive medieval fortress located right in the centre of the city.
Very close by are the botanical gardens nestling in the heart of the Ramparts. They are designed in a Japanese style with water features, footbridges and waterfalls. There are over 1,000 species of plants and flowers. 

The Basque and History of Bayonne Museum

“Hemen sartzen dena, bere etxean da!“ “He who enters here is at home!”
Situated in the heart of the old centre of Bayonne, the Basque and History of Bayonne Museum has an exhibition area covering 3,000m² displaying more than 2,000 objects and works of art that illustrate the different aspects of Basque culture: rural life and domestic life, funerary rites, crafts, maritime and river activities, fêtes and games, regional history, and more besides. The museum, which is housed in the magnificent 17th century Maison Dagourette, (listed as a historical monument) also tells the story of Bayonne: a sea and river port at the confluence of Basque, Gascon and Jewish cultures meet.

Bonnat Museum

The Bonnat-Helleu Museum is Bayonne’s museum of fine art. It is temporarily closed for restructuring and modernisation. However, all year round it organises events (conferences, concerts, etc.) and workshops for the public in general so that its collections continue to be enjoyed.
Reopening scheduled in 2021.

Atelier de Chocolate

At the Atelier du Chocolat in Bayonne, you will be able to enjoy a fun and informative visit that focuses on the trade of master chocolate-makers. Growing cacao trees in an exotic environment, the history of cocoa and chocolate, exhibition of ancient machinery (the region’s unique collection of machines dating from the beginning of the last century) and a look at the premises where chocolate is made and assembled: you will leave an expert on chocolate!
Of course, you can taste the house specialities and your children can participate in a painting workshop using cocoa butter to decorate their own chocolate fish.

The quays and covered market hall on the banks of the River Nive

Overlooked by tall and multi-coloured façades, the quays along the River Nive are a typical and friendly place where riverside restaurants and bars have particularly pleasant terraces.
The Halles covered market is an important and lively place in the town. Situated on the quays, inside the market hall there are 22 permanent stalls offering regional produce all year round.

On Saturday, the big market day, local producers fill the square around Les Halles.

Les Arènes bullring

Bayonne prides itself on being the 1st bullfighting town in France as the first bullfight took place in 1853 in St Esprit!

The Bayonne bullring was constructed in 1893 in the Neo-Moorish style. Every summer, in addition to the corridas, it also hosts numerous cultural events: shows, concerts and other events.

Bayonne, nature and the city

Just 10 minutes from the historic centre, walking upstream along the Nive’s riverbank path, you will find a 100-hectare nature reserve that is part of the Nature 2000 network, a wetland ecosystem with guided pathways.
The Museum of Natural History has a permanent exhibition on wetlands and temporary exhibitions on the flora and fauna of the Pyrenees.
http://museum-ansot.bayonne.fr/