Guéthary, the smallest village on the Basque Coast
15 minutes from our campsite in the Basque Country, nestled between Bidart and Saint-Jean-de-Luz in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques, Guéthary is a charming seaside village in the heart of the Basque Coast. With its picturesque port - the smallest on the Basque coast -, its Art Deco architecture, its beautiful beaches and its world-famous surf spots, this fishing hamlet has become a peaceful seaside resort where a sweet holiday scent floats.
A fishing village in the Basque Country as we like it
7 km from the campsite, Guéthary is a typical Basque village that can be visited on foot to enjoy all its charms. On the heights, we discover the church dedicated to Saint Nicolas, patron saint of sailors, built in the 16th century. Behind its apparent austerity, the building houses, among other things, beautiful statues dating from the 17th century and an ex-voto in the shape of a three-masted vessel.
After that, go down slowly towards the port of Guéthary, one of the smallest in France with only about twenty boats in dry dock. In the past, fishermen used to hunt whales in the Bay of Biscay. Today, people fish for leisure: chipirons, lobsters and hake.
In the centre of the village stands the Basque pelota court where players from Olharroa (the octopus in Basque), one of the oldest clubs in the French Federation of Basque pelota, come to practice. They call Guéthary "The Mecca of the Great Chistera"! A few steps away, the Guéthary Museum preserves the remains of a Roman salting house discovered in 1984, as well as the works of the sculptor Georges Clément Swiecinski who lived in Guéthary, but was born in Romania at the end of the 19th century.
Guéthary, sea side
After that, we head for the Alcyons beach, only accessible by a small steep path, or Cenitz beach to fish for shrimp. Unless you prefer to take a walk along the Sentier du Littoral, which leads straight to Saint-Jean-de-Luz. A must to discover the Basque coast during your camping holiday in the Basque Country!
Another point of interest not to be missed: the "Terrace" of Guéthary! From here, you can enjoy a unique panoramic view of the Basque Coast and the famous wave of Parlementia from which the most experienced surfers set off. Between the port and the beach of Cenitz, the hamlet of Haizburu and its small fishermen's houses also offer a picturesque stopover.
Hiking in the Cenitz nature reserve
On the heights of the village and overlooking the ocean, Cenitz Hill offers a charming stroll in the heart of a nature reserve on the edge of the foreshore. The view of the Bay of Biscay is simply magnificent! On the way, stop in front of the semaphore (or Atalaye) overlooking Parlementia beach. This former watchtower, which used to be used to observe whales, now harpoons the eyes of strollers.
Hétéroclito
This local restaurant with a breathtaking view over the ocean serves grilled seafood in individual portions or on an aperitif tray. 3 main ingredients are combined during the dining experience: the beach, fish and sunshine.
Chemin de la Plage - 64210 GUÉTHARY
00 33 5 59 54 98 92
