Le Pays Basque | Les Maisons Castanet

OUR FAVORITES

Bidart
Perched on the cliffs, between golf courses, wild beaches, and contemporary villas, a village that embodies the elegance of the coast.
- Les Frères Ibarboure - Michelin-starred gourmet restaurant, four-handed cuisine, located within a 4* hotel in a 2-hectare park
- La Cucaracha - Basque-Spanish cuisine restaurant, terrace 50m from the ocean.
- Le Moulin de la licorne - Artisanal bakery and pastry shop; their Basque cake and "ton russe" are references
- La Cave - fine selection of local wines
gastronomy
- Golf d'Ilbarritz - 9-hole course, nestled between the ocean and the mountains
- Ilbarritz and Erretegia Beaches - surf and kitesurf spots
- Bidartarak - family boutique (since 1952), offering Basque linen, genuine espadrilles from La Maison de l'Espadrille, and authentic Basque berets from La Maison Laulhère
- Atelier Boutique Les Couteliers Basques - since 1987, workshop and boutique for handmade knives using local materials - true collector's items
activities & shopping

Biarritz
The reference for the Basque Country: its vast beaches, historic hotels, and seaside identity.
- Zou - bistronomy cellar
- Milwaukee Café - cozy brunch
- Hôtel du Palais - prestigious brunch
- Les Rosiers - Michelin-starred
- Marius - gourmet local restaurant with mountain views
- Epic - rooftop, sunset
- Maison Adam - historic pastry shop
- Maison Dezamy - artisanal ice cream parlor
- Maison Arosteguy - fine grocery store
- Wine shop - best wine merchant in the BAB area
gastronomy
- Les Halles and its Bar - historic market
- Lamanda - men's ready-to-wear
- Maison Montagut - chic knitwear
- Hermès Paris - fine leather goods
- Sofitel Le Miramar - 5* thalassotherapy
- Grande Plage & Côte des Basques - surf schools
- Biarritz Aquarium - marine life
- Cité de l'Océan - immersive & VR
- Musée Asiatica - oriental art, finest private collection in Europe
activities & shopping

Guéthary
The cradle of Basque surfing, a small fishing port, lively pintxo bars, and the soul of an old artists' village.
- Maison Briketenia - Michelin-starred, Ibarboure family
- Le Txamara - bistronomy, pintxos, panoramic view
- Café du Fronton - finger food at the port of Guétary
- Chez Nadine - beach bungalow, post-surf coffee
- Aitaren Etxea - delicatessen and greengrocer
- Authentika V - organic wine cellar
gastronomy
activities & shopping
- Hoalen Ocean Shop - lifestyle boutique, Basque architecture
- Parlementia Surf Shop - surf equipment
- Parlementia, Alcyons, Avalanche - surf spots with world-renowned waves

Anglet
A residential art of living, between family beaches, maritime pines, and immediate proximity to the airport.
- Château de Brindos - gourmet, private lake
- Le Byron - brunch, coffee shop
- Beach House - poolside brunch
- La Concha - institution facing the beach
- Goia - modern Basque bistro
- La Chaloupe - beach bar
- Glacier Txomin - artisanal ice cream parlor
- Maison Gautier - best bakery in France
- La Bonne Cave - wine merchant for 5 generations
Gastronomy
- Anglet Basque Coast - The Boutique - local concept store
- Cavaliers, Chambre d'Amour, Sables d'Or Beaches - renowned surf spots
- Atlanthal - 4* thalassotherapy Le Lagon
- Izadia Ecological Park - preserved nature, 15 hectares
- La Chaloupe - lawn, playground facing the ocean
activities & shopping

Saint-Jean-de-Luz
A harbor town and family-friendly destination, between a sheltered beach, Labourdin houses, and an authentic art of living.
- Kaïku - Michelin-starred, 16th-century listed building
- Jatera - green setting, Hôtel P. Victoria
- Ostalamer - sea view, seafood
- Cocoon Coffee Shop - daily brunch
- Café Frappé - cozy coffee shop, matcha, near the beach
- Glaces Lopez - artisanal ice cream maker
- Maison Pariès - chocolatier and pastry chef since
- Maison Adam - fine grocery and produce
- La Boucherie des Familles - institution
gastronomy
- Maison Laffargue - artisanal leather goods since 1890
- Espadrille by Nicole Paries - traditional espadrilles
- Lartigue 1910 - woven Basque linen
- Poterie Goicoechea - artisanal ceramics
- Les Halles - covered market, fish from the fish auction
- Grand Hôtel Thalasso & Spa - 5*
- Canon - wine merchant facing the market
activities & shopping

Arcangues & Arbonne
Two preserved villages between golf courses, valleys, and intimate dining spots. Also the birthplace of Luis Mariano, where he rests today.
Gastronomy
- Lurrak - Arbonne - blind gastronomic cuisine, Chef Romain Goyeneche
- Cidrerie du Fronton - Arbonne - local institution, prime rib & local cider
- Restaurant du Golf - Arcangues - "so British" setting, terrace with view of the Pyrenees
activities & shopping
- Arcangues Golf Course - panoramic course, view of the Pyrenees mountain range
- Luis Mariano's Grave - Arcangues - bust signed by Paul Belmondo
- Hôtel & Spa Indarra - Arbonne - former Basque farmhouse renovated with all the comforts of a spa

Ciboure
The colorful fishing port facing Saint-Jean-de-Luz, birthplace of Maurice Ravel, between shipyards and tables serving freshly caught fish.
- Ekaitza - 2 * Michelin, quai Maurice Ravel
- Chez Pantxua - seafood & fish, port of Socoa
- Chez Mattin - rustic Basque cuisine
- Sardine, l'épicerie Cibourienne - local gourmet grocery store
- Etxe Goxoan - artisanal bakery and pastry shop
gastronomy
Activities & Shopping
- Maison Ravel - birthplace of Maurice Ravel, historical monument
- Socoa District - stand-up paddle, sailing, diving, traditional shipyards
- Fort de Socoa - Vauban fortifications, panoramic view of the bay
- Egiategia - wine aged under the sea

Ahetze & Ascain
Two hinterland villages, between historic churches, antique shops, and great tranquility.
gastronomy
- Ostalapia - Ahetze - farmhouse inn, local cuisine, one of the best tables in the Basque Country
- Bihotz - Ascain - local cuisine, Chef Jérémy
- Brasserie Akerbeltz - Ascain - Basque craft beer
- La Rhune mountain train - Ascain - departure from the St-Ignace pass, ascent to the iconic summit
- Atelier Lartigue 1910 - visit the historic Basque linen weaving workshop
- Ahetze Flea Market - every 3rd Sunday, antiques and vintage items
- Churches of the 2 villages - 18th-century heritage
- Maison Jean-Vier - major Basque linen house
activities & shopping

And much more...
A little further away, but worth the detour: the must-sees of the inland Basque Country, between Ainhoa, Espelette, Cambo-les-Bains, and the Irouléguy valley.
- Ithurria - Ainhoa - Michelin-starred, 18th-century farmhouse transformed into a charming inn
- Gozo - Bayonne - brunch and homemade pastries, near Les Halles, by a MAF (Meilleur Ouvrier de France)
- Instant Bibi's - Ustariz - local, colorful & 100% homemade brunch
- Olhabidea - Sare - 16th-century Labourdin farmhouse transformed into a gourmet inn
- Maison Daranatz - Bayonne - chocolatier since 1890, Bayonne chocolate tradition
gastronomy
- Musée Bonnat-Helleu - Bayonne - Fine Arts museum reopened in 2025, "most beautiful collection between Paris & Madrid"
- Villa Arnaga - Cambo-les-Bains - Edmond Rostand's residence in Art Deco style, and its remarkable gardens
- Cave d'Irouléguy - St-Etienne-de-Baïgorry - the only AOC vineyard in the Basque Country
- Boutique Pierre Oteiza - Ainhoa - Kintoa PDO ham
- Village of Espelette - capital of the Espelette PDO pepper
activities & shopping