Nottingham

Part of our trip will be spent in St.Jean (4 days)...we are traveling there by train from
Bordeaux (no car). Anyone done this?--any suggestions--? Bayonne--? or Biarritz--?
or both.....and what about nearby Spain?? Will be there mid-May...have read MichelinGG &
Rick Steves....but would love to hear first-hand accounts....Merci!

Robert2533

You should really take a look at Maribel's Guide to the Pays Basque (www.maribelsguides.com). She has decent recommendations of what to see, do and where to eat. For nearby Spain, then take a look at her guide to the País Vasco, the Spanish Basque country.

cherrybomb

Bayonne is tiny and no need for a car - I will look at our receipts, but we at on the east side of the river and had amazing oysters - it was casual -all along the river are restaurants. St Jean de Luz has a ton of cafes along the bay -we just picked and chose.

are you looking for something special otherwise outside of the cities? I may be of help...

Nottingham

we are not renting car for this area...going to try our "skills" with local transportation for a change.....Bayonne sounds like a perfect "go-to" town......how do Fodorites feel about Biarritz?
Anything special outside of the cities would depend on available transportation....any thoughts or opinions???

HappyTrvlr

Vist the small villages of the Pays Basque as Maribel suggests in her Pays Basque guide. They are among he prettiest villages in France.

StCirq

Biarritz is big and glitzy. Bayonne is small and sleepy. St-Jean-de-Luz has just the right mix, IMO. We loved our trips there. Restaurants we've enjoyed include Txantxangorri, Restaurant Le Dauphin (a bit touristy but right on the water and good food), Le Petit Grill Basque (for bargains), and La Vielle Auberge.