Country:
City:
Meet at Bayonne, at the Champ de Foire car park, 20 Allée Paulmy, 64100 Bayonne. There is a charge for parking, but the rate is reasonable.
(S/E) From the car park, head north, then cross the Allée de la Poterne to enter the ramparts, which have been converted into a pleasant promenade. Walk through the Botanical Gardens, then exit via the Porte de la Poterne to find yourself opposite the Old Castle – Gaztelu Zaharra.
(1) Walk past the castle on your left along the Place du Château Vieux, then turn right onto Rue des Gouverneurs, going against the one-way flow. You’ll arrive in front of the main entrance to Bayonne’s Sainte-Marie Cathedral.
(2) After visiting the cathedral, return to the main entrance. With your back to the cathedral, head to the right, then turn right onto Rue Notre Dame, going against the one-way flow. Walk round the cathedral on your right to reach Place Louis Pasteur. You’ll arrive at the entrance to the cloister, which you can visit for free. As you leave the cloister, head right onto Rue d’Espagne, then turn left onto Rue de la Poissonnerie. Stay on this street until you reach Les Halles de Bayonne.
(3) After a quick look round the Halles, where you’ll find all the finest Basque specialities, walk along the side of the building on your right along Rue Bernadou, then take Rue Port de Suzeye to reach Quai Dominique Roquebert. Turn right onto the Pont Marengo to cross the River Nive. You’ll arrive in front of the Basque and Bayonne History Museum. After visiting the museum to discover Basque culture and identity, continue northwards along the Quai des Corsaires. At the Pont Mayou, turn right, then right again onto Rue Bourgneuf. At the stop sign, turn left to pass the Txokola artisan chocolate shop, where you’ll find an incredibly inviting shop. Then carry on north-eastwards to the Bonnat-Helleu Museum.
(4) Carry on in this direction to reach the banks of the Adour, then walk along the river on your left on Allée Boufflers. At the traffic lights, turn right towards the Lycée Paul Bert on Rue de Ravignan. After the ramparts, turn left towards the Club Léo Lagrange on Chemin de Mousserolles. Pass through the gateway in the ramparts, then the Porte de Mousserolles. After going up the ramp, you will find yourself on Avenue Duvergier de Hauranne. Turn right and continue to the roundabout.
(5) Take the first exit on the right, towards Biarritz. Stay on Rue Gustave Eiffel. At the roundabout, keep heading towards Biarritz, then, staying on the right-hand pavement, follow the signs for Petit Bayonne along Rue du Bastion Royal. At the roundabout, keep heading towards Petit Bayonne and, following the Bastion on your right, continue to the Pont du Génie.
(6) Turn right onto Allée des Platanes. At the roundabout, turn left to go round the university campus, which is on your right. At the Marie-Thérèse Gambade roundabout, head left, then right to reach the foot of Château Neuf and the front of Saint-André Church.
(7) At Place Paul Bert, head west onto Rue Pannecau, recognisable by the characteristic Bayonne-style houses. Continue to the Pont Pannecau.
(8) Cross the River Nive and turn left onto Quai Amiral Jaureguiberry. Continue to the Pont du Génie, then turn right onto Rue Tour de Sault. Pass the Tour Saint-Simon, then continue to the ‘Stop’ sign at the junction with Rue d’Espagne.
(9) Turn right (north-west) along Boulevard du Rem Lachepaillet, heading towards the town centre. Stay on the boulevard until you reach the Porte de la Poterne, opposite the Château Vieux.
(1) Turn left into the park and head south-west to reach the Champ de Foire car park (S/E).
Association / Club / Walk leader
Visorando Member
