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"Best Cycling in the French Pyrenees"
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"Best Cycling Routes of the Pyrénées" — What To Do, See And Try Introduction
The following pages feature a list of things that I recommend as part of your Pyrénées vacation. The eye icon marks the things to see, the dancers mark the things to do and the wine glass marks the best places to sample local specialties. Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port / Oloron-Ste-Marie / Arette / Argelès-Gazost / Saint-Lary-Soulan / Bagnères-de-Luchon Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port Capital of the Low-Béarn region, located only 8 km (5 mi) from the Spanish border, 55 (34 mi) from the coastal cities of Bayonne and Biarritz, 72 km (45 mi) from the Spanish city of Pamplona, and only 100 km (62 mi) from Pau, Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port is a real hub to discover the entire Basque Country and Pyrénées Atlantique region. The typical Basque architecture of its medieval city combined with its great importance on the pilgrimage route of Santiago de Compostela attracts many visitors. Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port is not only rich in history and culture, it is also famous for its cuisine and food specialties. Its location at the foot of the first summits of the Pyrénées makes it an ideal base to spend some time and discover the surrounding areas. The traditional houses set alongside the Nive River alone are worth a visit to Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port. What to see in Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port: Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port itself is full of fascinating places. La Porte St-Jacques, an arched brick entryway into the city, is a UNESCO world heritage site that derives its name from the pilgrims that used it on their way to St-Jacques. Other highlights include La Citadelle, the fortified wall modified by Vauban to better protect the city; the 12th-century and gothic church of Notre-Dame; the Roman and Notre-Dame bridges; the old bridge over the Nive River; and La Rue d'Espagne, the pedestrian cobblestone street with all its tiny and lively specialty shops. A city map and detailed information are available at the tourist office, along with a time table for a terrific guided visit to see this gorgeous medieval city by night. More information on
www.pyrenees-basques.com
Just above the covered market of Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port, Garaziko Gasna Etxea
produces a wide variety of cheese and also offers a featured presentation
showcasing the life and work of the shepherds of the valley. More information on
www.fromage-brebis.com
Around Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port Bike Shops: There is only one small cycle shop in St-Jean-Pied-de-Port, but if they don't have the parts or accessories you want, you will find a wider selection of shops in the cities of Anglet and Bayonne on the Atlantic coast or in the city of Pau at the foot of the higher Pyrénées mountains. A full list of bicycle shops is provided for the regions covered in "Best Cycling Routes of the Pyrénées" guidebook. Cycles Garazi Around Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port: Capital of the Low-Béarn region, located only 8 km (5 mi) from the Spanish border, 55 (34 mi) from the coastal cities of Bayonne and Biarritz, 72 km (45 mi) from the Spanish city of Pamplona, and only 100 km (62 mi) from Pau, Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port is a real hub to discover the entire Basque Country and Pyrénées Atlantique region. The typical Basque architecture of its medieval city combined with its great importance on the pilgrimage route of Santiago de Compostela attracts many visitors. Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port is not only rich in history and culture, it is also famous for its cuisine and food specialties. Its location at the foot of the first summits of the Pyrénées makes it an ideal base to spend some time and discover the surrounding areas. The traditional houses set alongside the Nive River alone are worth a visit to Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port. What to see and do around Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port:
This entirely renovated and fully functional mill, located between Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port and St-Jean-le-Vieux, offers demonstration of how flour was produced until the last century.
Set among pastoral valleys at the foot of the Pyrénées mountains, the small town of St-Etienne-de-Baïgorry features picturesque typical Basque houses. In its center, a Fronton like those found in many Basque villages remind us the popularity of the game of Pelote Basque, one of the regional ball sports that is played with either a basket (Xistera), a wooden racket (pala) or the most ancestral apparatus, la main (the bare-hand). You can also visit the 11th-century feudal castle with its towers and salle d'arme (weapon room). It is set on a prominent position offering beautiful views of the valley and surrounding mountains. More information on www.pyrenees-basques.com. Route 1 goes through the village of St-Etienne-de-Baïgorry.
Located in the town of St-Etienne-de-Baïgorry on the road to St-Jean-Pied-de-Port, this wine production facility has been producing red, rosé and white wines for more than 50 years. These wines receive regular recognition from various national and international wine contests. You can watch production, visit the cave and sample their wine year-round. More information on
www.cave-irouleguy.com
Located in the heart of the Irouleguy vineyards, this traditional farm produces an excellent fromage de brebis (ewe cheese) that has received the coveted label "Ossau-Iraty". You can visit them and sample their cheese by contacting Alain and André Etchepare (tel: 05-59-37-44-55) or by asking for the Elizarea or Etchepare farm in town.
Try this farm to sample and buy from a wide variety of local specialties including
foie gras, rillettes (a delicious paté-like spread made of shredded meat slowly cooked in its own fat) and
confit. If you can't pay a visit to the farm, their products are also sold at the Monday morning market in Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port. More information on
www.agerria.com
This small Basque village features a splendid 12th -century church as well as a century bridge. It also offers nice views of the Iparla mountain ridge and the valleys of Itsusi and Artzamendi. Routes 1 and 2 go through the village of Bidarray.
Smoked local products including trout, salmon, ham, saucisson (special large dried sausages) and cheese can be sampled right on the side of the road here. Located just a kilometer before Bidarray on the road toward Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port, Route 1 passes right in front of the
fumoir
Itxassou is a charming Basque medieval village featuring an ancient three-level church full of sculpted wood.
Espelette has a feudal central square and small winding streets that are very unusual for this region. It's famous for its red chilies that are widely used in many local delicacies as well as in French cuisine. The village is particularly beautiful during the summer harvest season when colorful chilies are hung out to dry on all the houses. If you like spicy food, you'll love the local specialties.
Set at the foot of the Iraty forest overlooking the green valley and surrounded by cliffs and mountains, Larrau is an enticing village along Route 3. In the heart of the Ossau-Iraty cheese producing region, it's also a great place to visit farms and shepherds and sample some of their fromage de brebis (sheep cheese). Call Jean-Marc Bengochea (tel: 05-59-28-58-23) to visit his farm located near the village.
If you melt under the taste of Gateau Basque and must learn how to bake your own, you may be interested in visiting the Gateau Basque Museum
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