JourneyLearning: - Your journey guide

A tour of the coast from Hendaye to Bayonne dotted with fishing tradition, beautiful coastal villages and a real beach, Biarritz, in the extreme south west of France.sea breeze refreshing for a route: Route of Thalassotherapy, the best proposal for a holiday of relaxation and health

The Basque coast, is part of the Pyrenees-Atlantiques, a province of Aquitaine, daughter of the South of France and ground water that treats its visitors with its lakes, rivers, mountain torrents and "his" Atlantic Ocean . Ingredients for adventure, fitness, naturism or more different sports.

A long walk wandering around on the seashore with bare feet that will undoubtedly soothing effects insurmountable. Route to start in Hendaye, first seaside resort of our road trip.

HENDAYA

We are in the Hendaye Txingudi Yacht Club, one of the three in this city, located on the bay that bears his name, very close to Spain. Sunscreens made with heavy luggage as only we take a light breakfast before you start driving.

The sea and the stone set in Hendaye, a town of contrasts. Opposite the beach and the port of Plaisance, a necessary pause for beauty. a major resort and thalassotherapy with an excellent card: 11,000 square feet dedicated to relaxation and a fitness. Slimming cures perfectly combined with relaxation and sports activities, another way to recover the lost welfare into the vortex of the city.

Inside another cultural heritage, Abbadia and its castle, built by Viollet-le-Ducy, which was the summer residence of Antoine d'Abbadie, exceptionally wise, passionate about astronomy and oriental culture. And a few miles, the picturesque villages, and Urrugne Biriatou like two pictures of a story, with its church, the front wall and a dozen or encaladasen stone house that highlight the color shutters.

The day dawned with a dense haze that blocks the way to a timid ray of sun. On the beach, sand cold our feet wet and this makes us shiver. We walked slowly, the sea air is a good tonic for our body in this fresh spring morning.

In the distance we heard young voices. As we approach we find a group of young people carrying surfboards. They are the first surfers who will delight us along our journey, with his antics at sea something fierce at this early hour of the day.

Costs and Basque ports provide excellent conditions for water sports such as the candle light (sailboats and cartamaranes) and windsurfing. The long ocean beaches are an ideal field of evolution for yachting enthusiasts. There are three coastal stations that have the label "Station Voile", awarded by the Fédération Française de Voile: la Teste de Buch, Arcachon and Hendaye.

In fact, Aquitaine is famous for the quality of breaking waves and the many sports along its 250 kms. of coastline. French surfing the waves was born in the Basque Coast in the mid 50s. Here the passion of surfing is usually done over the year and there are numerous schools in all coastal towns, for beginners and advanced amateurs now.

At the beginning of the trail, in the middle of the river Bidasoa, see the Island of Pheasants. Formerly belonged to Hondarribia is shared today by Irun and Hendaye, and are responsible to care for every 6 months. You have about 2,000 square meters and is protected throughout its ecosystem. In French it is known as "Île de l'hospital. Here were played materialized wars and agreements between the opposing and neighboring kingdoms of France and Spain.

The most important was that which took place from 4 to June 7, 1660, French and Spanish delegations met to sign the Treaty of Peace of the Pyrenees, which was ratified by the marriage of Maria Theresa, daughter of Philip IV, with Louis XIV. In the center of the island is a monolith with the commemorative inscription. The flag of the Spanish decorated it Velazquez, who stay in a place so humid that cost him a cold, according to historians, it would take weeks to the grave.

CIBOURE

From the mouth of the Bidasoa, in Hendaye, to Ciboure extends from the Corniche road that follows the windings of the coast with the sea on your left. Those wishing to make the overland route will take N-1 to reach the border Irun-Hendaye. Here are links to the D-912 and from the N-10 Ciboure to Biarritz. This road passes as Socoa nuclei, with breathtaking panoramic views of the sea.

The sky is clearing as we approached Ciboure. Around this time are frequently seen on the high seas, small boats with tourists on board. Other ships of greater tonnage, are engaged for long-haul trips.

The sea crossing, Ciboure-St Jean de Luz-Socoa, is one of the most attractive. Other tours by boat are scheduled to cruise the coast, simply. The season begins in April. In Ciboure can admire the birthplace of Maurice Ravel and strong Socoa.

The morning sun graces adorning the water from the shore has a greenish blue color that invites a good bath. Water is an endless source of pleasure, but the sea water is a real quarry therapeutic and cosmetic benefits.

The resorts that lead to this route, confirm the good reception with thalassotherapy treatments using algae, mud, sludge or even corals and shells from the marine environment. To say, as other substances Biomarine fucus, chitosan, and the salt waves of the sea.

Why not start now our own "remise en forme? Sea water and salt will help to regenerate your skin and waves exert pressure on the more flabby body parts. A bit of exercise required to work the water lazy muscles having to overcome the resistance of water. We encourage you. They begin to lose some bathers and share with them the first route relaxing bath.

SAN JUAN DE LUZ

Also known as the "City of the Corsairs" San Juan de Luz-Saint-Jean-de-Luz in France, is ideally situated in a bay on the Atlantic. It was a thriving fishing port in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries and had its time of glory with the wedding of Louis XIV and the Infanta Maria Teresa in the Church of Saint-Jean Baptiste. Today is an important beach resort with a thalassotherapy center of reference for many visitors.

In reality we are in a country with great tradition in marine therapies. Spread over 35 km of Costa Basca, five thalassotherapy centers located in seasons we discover as we go through the route.

The San Juan de Luz is an irresistible temptation. As we left the beach and headed to the Place Maurice Ravel, in full promenade area. This modern marine spa center has several spaces for specialized treatment for back, legs, fatigue and sleep disorders. Besides circuit BioMarin, sauna, hammam and fitness water aerobics. We take a "remise en forme" we completed a tour of San Juan de Luz. The development is already perfect.

From the lighthouse to the dock Chevaux and beyond, extending the promenade that has the beach on one side and the other relatively new houses, hotels at half height and some landmark buildings such as the casino. The house of Louis XIV where he spent his wedding night with Maria Theresa of Austria, is one of the oldest buildings in town.

For any of the pedestrian streets of this waterfront start we can access the old town. Gambetta Street is the main area and you breathe a peaceful atmosphere and cosmopolitan: the houses decorated with flowers crowded sidewalks and shops are interspersed with grocery and other utensils for the beach. There are also bars, cafes and restaurants close.

We went to the fishing port, near the center of town where boats anchor colors that give maritime atmosphere and a stately villa holiday. The people of San Juan de Luz lived since the Middle Ages of whaling, are now dedicated to the sardine, anchovy and bonito.

In September, the Brotherhood of the "pirate" trawlers organizes races, the boats of whalers. We promise to return.

BIARRITZ

The sunny afternoon invited back to the beach and continue the journey that will take us to the next resort village, the imperial Biarritz. The sand now hot, burning our feet walking on the water refreshed for a few miles.

The sun's rays are also beginning to make an impact on arms despite high protection to avoid burns. A sailor hat, a gift from a coastal Hendaye, we pretege hair and face. He appreciates the sea breeze.

For those who follow the route by road, four miles from San Juan de Luz, on the inner cores are typically two beautiful Basque worth visiting. Ascain and San Pee sur Nivelle, 13 km from the former, both on the river Nivelle teach their homes and villages of gabled roofs, church and pediment. All custumbrista heritage.

The Aquitaine are faithful to their traditions and the French Basque cultivate his legendary taste for living, inviting all visitors to the hall of humor that will brighten the smallest villages.

La Fiesta del Castellano, in Saint-Pee-sur-Nivelle is an example of this participatory sense. Are held throughout the month of May. They are meetings of Basque schools around the traditions, folklore, songs and dances. It's another way to discover the cultural heritage of the Pyrenees-Atlantiques.

On the way to Biarritz is more interesting to the N-10 on the highway, one passes through Guéthary and Bidart, two resorts that lived on fishing, with charming old villages and panoramic views.

We continue walking along the seashore and this stretch of coastline are the remains of algae, probably dragged by the tide and who have been scattered along the beach.

The mysterious algae, many of them unknown, prized substances supplied by the food industry and pharmaceutical laboratories, especially cosmetics. The algae that now we are playing though apparently dead algae tact we produce that feeling.

Used as a treatment in the thalassotherapy centers, in bathrooms and sludge applied to the skin exerting a sedative that alleviates pain and relieves fatigue.

The sun begins to pull away shyly. We give one last swim in the sea, something that will refresh our skin by sunlight punished despite high protection. Our particular "remise en forme" is giving excellent results for hardly noticed fatigue. Play in the water with small waves breaking on the shore with a sound of conch. In the distance we see a number of swimmers who enjoy the sea at this time pleasant afternoon.

We can not be far from Biarritz. The watchmen who go on shore remind us that just a few miles and we reached the golfing paradise. Touching the edge of the cliff, these towers are the best platforms in the most exclusive green. Golf courses which will host the most important European Championships.

Biarritz leads this sport since that became available in 1888. Over a century of golfing legend. In Aquitaine golfes celebrates the most famous international competitions such as the Grand Prix des Landes of Golf, Hossegor, in July, the Biarritz Golf Cup, one of amateur golf competitions in July, the Makila Golf Pro AM, in Biarritz in October.

The sea breeze is part of the aesthetic golfer like the beaches of the French Basque coast where waves produce some appropriate for their height and speed for windsurfing. Grand Plage Biarritz and concentrated each year in July the most exclusive elite of world surfismo.

Surfer's passion is to implement an entire culture of surfing. We checked along the route. Train surfing schools increasingly a greater number of young enthusiasts of the sport where the skill and ability are part of the challenge: achieving a balance between mind and body to master something as simple as a table that swings at breakneck speed on the waves.

We are close to Biarritz, the holiday seaside resort of nineteenth-century European royalty. The star of the stage route thalassotherapy.

Biarritz was originally a small fishing port of whalers before being discovered by the Empress Eugenia de Montijo who built himself a large mansion here, the current Hotel du Palais and became fashionable here.

We are right in front of this magnificent Hotel located on the edge of the Great Beach of Biarritz. In early 1800, the British raided the area was later protected by Napoleon III who built for his Spanish wife "Villa Eugénie" in 1855. This sumptuous palace, Louis XIII style, became the classic Hotel du Palais in 1905, with a wide terrace facing the sea and the dining room replete with chandeliers hanging candelabra on the tables and huge windows, taken from the imperial style of those times.

The Empress Eugenia de Montijo spent their summer holidays here, and since that time the city became known as aristrocrático spa, equipped with summer villas, therapeutic baths for the excellent property of water, and Bellevue medieval style casino opened in 1858.

After the imperial decadence, Biarritz succumbed in time until it was booming with fashion designers who made it the city of fashion: Coco Chanel, Laurent, Poiret, Molineux and others had their branches here. Today is the sanctuary of the largest Thalassotherapy centers of the French Basque coast.

From the steep, rocky sea shore up the narrow streets toward the center, at the famous Clemenceau. We sat in one of the terraces. And we see as shops, bars, restaurants, cafes and even the casino maintains its luxurious appearance of old. The villa is suited to modern casual clothing of a population that doubles every summer in search of rest and sport.

Alternate care of body and spirit with cultural visits is part of the philosophy of wellnnes. We chose to give us a relaxing bath in one of these sanctuaries thalasso.

We walked up the rue de Madrid where facilities are Thermes Marins Biarritz Thalassotherapy precursor on the Basque coast since 1970. With superb facilities and a beautiful ocean view, has a qualified staff to serve visitors seeking to replenish your health and wellbeing.

It offers specific treatments and cures postpartum weight loss and against rheumatism. Spaces of sea water, jacuzzi, showers neck, bubble baths, water curtains, massages and everything imaginable to get in shape or make a cure relaxing. In the leisure suite bathroom enjoy a true "remise en forme".

Before leaving we took a petit train Biarritz Tourist ideal to avoid missing any curiosity typical of the city. A rambles to know and discover the landscapes, the history of the Rock of the Virgin in the Basque coast, past the old port, fishing port, the main square and a short stop at the esplanade of the lighthouse.

ANGLET

The landscape of the French Basque country on sunny days, with its green hills dotted with houses, cut off the coast and the sea blue-green, has the pleasant air of the sites are there just to enjoy for the rest. But when the days are cloudy, with mists, meadows, rocks and trees, wrapped in a romantic aura.

Today dawned as well and the water's edge, toward Anglet, on our minds keep the photographic image of the flowers decorating the gardens and the houses typically Basque, giving life and color to an environment that defines manners joy and vitality of these people.

Anglet, with its four miles from shore is a seaside resort where the surf is again the sports star. It's great seafaring tradition village: fishing, sailing, thalassotherapy and overflowing joy to live the traditions and festivals.

Is the stop we need for total relaxation in one of their sanctuaries in the thalassotherapy, located on Boulevard des Plages. This integrated complex of hotels, thalassotherapy center is used for preventive and therapeutic and medically supervised.

Weather and sea water and marine therapy favor the marine biological complexes penetrate through osmosis (through its membrane) to the basal layer of connective tissue. The rich substances containing algae, marine mud or sludge reach the subcutis without any other agent its own natural ions.

This concept of aesthetics associated thalassotherapy we know in more detail at the Institute of Thalassotherapy in this magnificent complex.

One suggestion that has more demand is the combination of Golf / spas, if we consider that Anglet is a European reference for golfers. Circuits and special proposals for men and putting them before practice.

As specific treatments are indicated for back and lumbar, anti-stress and anti-snuff addition to slimming cures. Spaces for beauty, male / female, diet, baby club, and various other proposals are alternatives to supplement health and leisure tourist and cultural itineraries for this resort village.

Anglet is also "the green lung of the French Basque coast" with some 250 hectares of pine forest and occupies 10 percent of its total surface. Penultimate stage of the route is the perfect tour to combine water and nature.

Health and fitness of the whole family. Walking through the pine forests and long runs for ten beaches in the coast between St Martin Cap rock dam and enter the estuary de l'Adour, and the obligatory visit to the Grotto of the "Chambre d'Amour". A natural cavity that according to legend, was the scene of the tragic death of two lovers caught in the raging sea and wind.

Golf lovers are also in Anglet its referent. Between San Juan de Luz and Anglet we have had during this journey along the coast, about eight golf courses, and virtually all along the cliffs of the French Basque coast.

In fact we found not only along the path to the benefits that our body produces marine therapies but the excellent weather stations in this part of Aquitaine, their parties and their typical Basque cuisine.

BAYONNE

With a ride on the edge of the Landes and the Basque Country, at the confluence of the Adour and Niver, we stayed in Bayonne. This ancient port city's historic tradition is a medieval village, both Basque and Gascon, distributed in three districts of the Adour and Niver, architectural curiosities abound.

It is a seaside resort for sightseeing and discover the medieval ancestors of the city's cultural heritage. We visited three historic districts: the "Old" or "Great" Bayonne, at the foot of Vauban citadel, the "Little Bayonne", a medieval "Saint Esprit" (Espiritu Santo), the upper town, the cathedral Sainte -Marie, XIII and XIV century and its cloister, the Château-Vieux, houses on stilts along the Nive, the Bonnat Museum (Fine Art: Rubens, El Greco, and 3000 blades Inges sixteenth to the nineteenth century ... ) and contemporary art at the Carré Bonnat, plus the Basque Museum, home Dagourette.

One morning for history and a journey of relaxation and health is the balance that we can make this proposal tourer. Not back yet. We stayed in a Clévacances of Bayonne. With this name is known in this part of the Atlantic Pyrenees the "guarantee" of having a personal welcome by the owner, along with quality accommodation, either in the same house or in a building in the area. But this experience home in a typical regional architecture will be our next route.