Cycling in the Basque Country & Landes: the 7-day Escape from Dax:

Leave the spa town of Dax for a relaxing first leg of your journey under the pine canopy. You’ll gradually make your way to the ocean, arriving in Hossegor, the European capital of surfing, renowned for its saltwater lake and elegant architecture.

Suggested activities:

• Swim and enjoy oysters at Hossegor Lake

• Stroll through the town center with its Basque-Landes style

• Go shopping at the famous surf brand outlets

• Enjoy the magnificent sunset at Santocha

A coastal route that takes you through the southern Landes region before entering the Basque Country. You’ll ride along miles of pristine sandy beaches before arriving in Bayonne, a City of Art and History, nestled at the confluence of the Adour and Nive rivers.

Suggested activities:

• Stop at the Capbreton pier for a view of the ocean

• Stroll through the medieval streets of Greater Bayonne

• Visit the workshop of a historic chocolatier (a Bayonne tradition since the 17th century)

• Explore Sainte-Marie Cathedral and its Gothic cloister

A spectacular day on the coastal road! After the chic atmosphere of Biarritz, you’ll cycle with the vast Atlantic Ocean stretching out before you. Arriving in the bay of Saint-Jean-de-Luz, sheltered by its breakwaters, is one of the highlights of the trip.

Suggested activities:

• Stroll along the Rocher de la Vierge and the Côte des Basques in Biarritz

• Explore the villages of Bidart and Guéthary

• Swim in the bay of Saint-Jean-de-Luz, sheltered from the waves

• Visit the Maison Louis XIV on Place Louis VI in Saint-Jean-de-Luz

• Treat yourself to a handmade macaron at Adam (a shop founded in 1660)

Explore the famous Route de la Corniche, a scenic drive along the ocean with flysch cliffs. You’ll reach Hendaye and its fine sandy beach, just across the border from Spain, before returning to the pirate town via the inland route or the same trail.

Suggested activities:

• Explore the estate and the Abbadia Observatory Castle

• Admire the “Les Deux Jumeaux” rocks from the Pointe de Sainte-Anne

• Take the ferry to enjoy tapas in Hondarribia (Spain)

• Hike the coastal trail for breathtaking views

The journey heads inland to explore the Basque Country’s interior. As you travel along the green hills, you’ll reach the spa town of Cambo-les-Bains, famous for its microclimate and lush gardens.

Suggested activities:

• Traditional villages with red-and-white facades (Ascain, Sare)

• Take a break in the village of Espelette, famous for its red chili peppers drying on the facades

• Visit Villa Arnaga, the magnificent home of Edmond Rostand (author of Cyrano de Bergerac)

• Stroll through the French and English gardens of Cambo

• Relax at the thermal baths of Cambo

Along the Imperial Road and towpaths. A peaceful transition between the Basque hills and the banks of the Adour. You’ll pass through picturesque villages as you follow the river.

Suggested activities:

• Stroll through La Bastide-Clairence, listed among the “Most Beautiful Villages of France,” and visit its artisan workshops

• Visit Belloc Abbey and buy their famous sheep’s milk cheese

• Explore the port and the Church of Saint-Jean-Baptiste in Urt

• Take a stroll through the small river port of Urt at sunset

The final stretch to complete this Basque-Landes loop. The terrain levels out as you cross the Barthes de l'Adour, alluvial plains where Pottok ponies and storks graze, before reaching the Gallo-Roman city of Dax.

Suggested activities:

• Relax at the foot of the Fontaine Chaude de Dax

• Visit the Notre-Dame-Ste-Marie Cathedral or the Borda Museum

• Take a gourmet break to enjoy a Dax madeleine

• End the day with a spa treatment