DISCOVER THE REGION

The Pays Basque, with Spain to the south the Atlantic Ocean on the west, the mountains of the Pyrenees to the east, and the forested lands of the department of the Landes to the north, discover the multiple facets of a land rich in history and its cultures, where traditions, art of living, festivals, gastronomy are more than words.
You'll discover landscapes of a rare beauty and people with real and genuine emotions toward their heritage.

ACTIVITIES

The southwest of France and the Pyrénées Atlantiques offers all one could desire if one wants to be physically active.
Due to the climate and geography there are not many sports activities that you cannot participate in plus a few that are particular to the region such as pelota, from golf to snow skiing including hikingin the mountains to fishing and cycling to name a few.
But there are also activities for those who just prefer to take it easy such as visits to local ancient caves, dancing, winery, vineyards, ciderys, and more local village festivals than you can imagine. For those who need cultural activities there is theater, opera, classical music concerts and museums.
Of course with Spain as our neighbor and the marvelous city of San Sebastian a few short kilometers away just waiting to be discovered, you have at your doorstep a whole new country and culture with many activities and things yet unknown to you to experience.

CULTURE

In the Basque Country it can be see more than other places where the recognition of the cultural identity is dominating. Descendants of an ancestral civilization with mysterious origins, the Basque people give much importance to the transmitted traditions from generation to generation.
The attachment with the family, paramount, is symbolized by the etxe (the house) genuine keystone of the social system, relayed by will euskara this language which does not resemble any other.
This cultural and traditional richness, maintained with the link to past centuries in spite of the external influences, is found in many fields and constitutes the specificity of Euskal Herria.
Many theories have been put forth to try to explain the origins of the people Basque. Our intention is not, here, to index them, which would be long and tiresome, but we try to recall the great changes which took place in a "Free-Cantabric" zone, delimited in south-west by Asturies (in Spain), and in the North-East by the Dordogne (in France). This zone is separate naturally by the Pyrenees, and Vasconie was the heart of the civilization which populated this area approx. - 13000 years ago. They were the ancestors of the Basques.

Traces of this period are still visible thanks to the caves of Isturitz and Oxocelhaya and with the presence of many prehistoric vestiges.

CLIMATE

The southwest region of France has a climate that is very mild, humid oceanic. The winters are not particularly cold and the summers are not hot. The rainy season is considered during the months of January and February. Being near the sea the rain often comes in downpour that give a lot of rain thenleaves rapidly and the temperatures are generally warmer than the rest of France.
In autumn and winter we have many bright sunny days when the temperatures can mount above 24°C often being the warmest place in France, allowing many the opportunities to swim in the ocean until early November.
In the summer months the temperature averages between 28/32°C during the day but the evening are almost always pleasantly mild and never humid as the sea breeze blows in and refreshes the air.
In the winter in just 1 1/2 hours you can drive to many beautiful areas in the mountains where you canvisit small villages and enjoy all winter sports and activities. The skiing conditions are quite excellent.
If you are inclined to spend a great deal of time outdoors, gardening, in sporting activities, or just walking by the sea or in the forest then the climate is ideal.

GEOGRAPHY

The southwestern part of France in the French department of the Pyrénées-Atlantiques is delimited in north by the department of the Landes, in the west by the Atlantic Ocean, in the south by the Spain and in the east by Béarn which is the Eastern part of the department.
It offers a varied geography created by the meeting of the mountains and the sea. There are mild temperatures which nourish rich green luxurious vegetation throughout the year.
Composed of gorses, brooms, heathers, the moor differs from color and thickness according to the type of ground and exposure. It supports the growth of graminaceous which constitutes the food of the cattle in winter. On the side of the moors, the pastures of high soule form the vast wide green pastures which accommodate immense herds of sheep.