Guidebook for Villa Iduzkian
Restaurant recommendations
Achafla Baïta
20 Lot. MaldatxoaHilltop restaurant with traditional Basque cuisine, popular with locals.
Auberge Basque
745 Vieille Route de Saint-PéeMichelin starred cuisine
Great pizza with a terrace overlooking the pyrenees in one of France's prettiest villages.
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La Pizzeria Bidart
6 Rue ErretegiaGreat pizza with a terrace overlooking the pyrenees in one of France's prettiest villages.
Popular with local celebs, with an amazing clifftop location to watch the sunset surfers
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Hétéroclito
Chemin de la PlagePopular with local celebs, with an amazing clifftop location to watch the sunset surfers
Restaurant attached to a cider press - some of the best steak you'll ever taste, washed down by all-you-can drink cider served direct from the barrel. Our favourite local restaurant.
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Cidrerie Txopinondo - Ascain - Restaurant et chai de production
Chemin de la CidrerieRestaurant attached to a cider press - some of the best steak you'll ever taste, washed down by all-you-can drink cider served direct from the barrel. Our favourite local restaurant.
A tutta Pizza
Rue Ernest FourneauDecent takeaway pizza in central Ascain.
Le Socowa
45 Av. du Commandant Passicotcasual spot offering basque tapas by the seafront
Don’t be fooled by the external appearance, this restaurant above a gym is one of the best in the area & the terrace has a great view over the local hills. The weekday set lunch is unbeatable value.
Kinka sport et gourmandise
Don’t be fooled by the external appearance, this restaurant above a gym is one of the best in the area & the terrace has a great view over the local hills. The weekday set lunch is unbeatable value.
Essentials
The best boulangerie in Ascain. Open 365 days a year!
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Boulangerie Susperregui
298 Rue Ernest FourneauThe best boulangerie in Ascain. Open 365 days a year!
Intermarché Super et Drive
Avenue de BayonneClosest large supermarket
Spar
10 Rue EstrataUseful for essentials, and a good cheese selection
Local towns and villages
A must visit - go for the whole day, sightsee in the morning, cool off on the beach and then hit the old town for tapas in the evening.
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Donostia-San Sebastian
A must visit - go for the whole day, sightsee in the morning, cool off on the beach and then hit the old town for tapas in the evening.
The capital of the French basque country, Bayonne is famous for its chocolate shops and medieval porticos. Well worth a visit at any time of year, the first week in August the town turns out in white and red for the "Fêtes de Bayonne", a multi-day street party.
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Bayonne
The capital of the French basque country, Bayonne is famous for its chocolate shops and medieval porticos. Well worth a visit at any time of year, the first week in August the town turns out in white and red for the "Fêtes de Bayonne", a multi-day street party.
One of the prettiest villages in the region, and a beautiful 3 hour walk from the house - makes a great day hike. The Hotel Arraya on the main square does a great lunch (check opening times online).
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Sare
One of the prettiest villages in the region, and a beautiful 3 hour walk from the house - makes a great day hike. The Hotel Arraya on the main square does a great lunch (check opening times online).
Historic port town, chosen by Louis XIV to host his wedding to the Infanta of Spain, now super stylish beach destination. Sheltered waters make the Grande Plage one of the most family friendly beaches in the area.
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Saint-Jean-de-Luz
Historic port town, chosen by Louis XIV to host his wedding to the Infanta of Spain, now super stylish beach destination. Sheltered waters make the Grande Plage one of the most family friendly beaches in the area.
Chic seaside resort known for its big surf. Kids will love the aquarium with its rooftop seal pool. If money is no object, lunch in the Hotel du Palais is hard to beat - for a more low-key setting try the fish restaurants in the old port. Warning: parking in the town centre August is impossible, so instead use the free park and ride service
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Biarritz
Chic seaside resort known for its big surf. Kids will love the aquarium with its rooftop seal pool. If money is no object, lunch in the Hotel du Palais is hard to beat - for a more low-key setting try the fish restaurants in the old port. Warning: parking in the town centre August is impossible, so instead use the free park and ride service
Typical Basque village that first entered the popular imagination in the 19th century as the inspiration for Pierre Loti's classic novel "Ramuntcho" and was later a favoured watering hole for early Hollywood stars including Charlie Chaplin and Marlene Dietrich, who holidayed nearby. The town square doubles as a pelote court where locals play to an audience of local diners.
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Ascain
Typical Basque village that first entered the popular imagination in the 19th century as the inspiration for Pierre Loti's classic novel "Ramuntcho" and was later a favoured watering hole for early Hollywood stars including Charlie Chaplin and Marlene Dietrich, who holidayed nearby. The town square doubles as a pelote court where locals play to an audience of local diners.
World famous for its annual bull run, Pamplona is a delight at any time of year. Amazing views from the ramparts, a fascinating museum and great tapas make it a must visit. About 1hr drive from the house.
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Pamplona
World famous for its annual bull run, Pamplona is a delight at any time of year. Amazing views from the ramparts, a fascinating museum and great tapas make it a must visit. About 1hr drive from the house.
Go for the Guggenheim, stay for the food. About 1hr30 by car from the house.
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Bilbao
13 Don Diego López Haroko Kale NagusiaGo for the Guggenheim, stay for the food. About 1hr30 by car from the house.
Historic capital of Navarre and main departure point for the camino (walking trail to Santiago de Compostela), St Jean Pied de Port's two major exports are pilgrims and cured pork. The medieval town centre has barely changed in 500 years.
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Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port
Historic capital of Navarre and main departure point for the camino (walking trail to Santiago de Compostela), St Jean Pied de Port's two major exports are pilgrims and cured pork. The medieval town centre has barely changed in 500 years.
Across the bay from St Jean de Luz, Socoa offers a haven of calm protected from the Atlantic swell by its cliffs and sea wall. One of our favourite spots: great restaurants, a quiet beach under the castle walls, and wonderful views.
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Socoa
SocoaAcross the bay from St Jean de Luz, Socoa offers a haven of calm protected from the Atlantic swell by its cliffs and sea wall. One of our favourite spots: great restaurants, a quiet beach under the castle walls, and wonderful views.
Pretty hilltop village by the sea, overlooking a number of popular surfing beaches. Great spot to watch the sunset over the ocean or join the locals to watch a game of pelote basque in the main square.
Bidart
Pretty hilltop village by the sea, overlooking a number of popular surfing beaches. Great spot to watch the sunset over the ocean or join the locals to watch a game of pelote basque in the main square.
Ever wanted to try surfing? Hendaye is the place to start. Kilometres of golden sand and easy beach breaks.
Reeser Str. 106, 46446 Emmerich am Rhein, Germany
Ever wanted to try surfing? Hendaye is the place to start. Kilometres of golden sand and easy beach breaks.
Sightseeing
Kids young and old will love the Lac de St Pée, a freshwater reservoir offering a sandy beach, aqua park, pedalos and forest zipwire centre. Plenty of parking and some family friendly restaurants (creperie, pizzeria) too. Most activities summer only.
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Lac de Saint-Pée-sur-Nivelle
Kids young and old will love the Lac de St Pée, a freshwater reservoir offering a sandy beach, aqua park, pedalos and forest zipwire centre. Plenty of parking and some family friendly restaurants (creperie, pizzeria) too. Most activities summer only.
Dominating the local landscape at 900m, a hike or ride to the top of la Rhune is a must. From the house it's about 3hr to the summit on foot. If you'd rather take the historic Petit Train, be sure to book tickets online in advance to avoid a very long wait at the station. There's even a couple of cafés at the summit offering cold beers and snacks. (Train and cafés open April-October). The Spanish border runs over the top of the mountain.
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Larrun
Dominating the local landscape at 900m, a hike or ride to the top of la Rhune is a must. From the house it's about 3hr to the summit on foot. If you'd rather take the historic Petit Train, be sure to book tickets online in advance to avoid a very long wait at the station. There's even a couple of cafés at the summit offering cold beers and snacks. (Train and cafés open April-October). The Spanish border runs over the top of the mountain.
Għariet ta' Sare
Impressive cave complex open for guided tours
Unusual open cave said to be a historical centre for witchcraft, with accompanying museum
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Zugarramurdi
Unusual open cave said to be a historical centre for witchcraft, with accompanying museum
In continuous ownership for almost 700 years, this medieval gem is open for guided tours.
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Chateau d'Urtubie
1300 D810In continuous ownership for almost 700 years, this medieval gem is open for guided tours.
Victorian-era castle built by an eccentric scientist-explorer to double as an astronomical observatory and a home for his collection of exotic items amassed during his trips to Africa.
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Ċauchi Abbadie
Route de la CornicheVictorian-era castle built by an eccentric scientist-explorer to double as an astronomical observatory and a home for his collection of exotic items amassed during his trips to Africa.
Food scene
Tuesday and Fridays are market day in St Jean de Luz, when the area around the covered market fills with food stalls. Aim to get there early if you want to find a parking place....
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Day By Day Saint Jean De Luz
26 Bd Victor HugoTuesday and Fridays are market day in St Jean de Luz, when the area around the covered market fills with food stalls. Aim to get there early if you want to find a parking place....
activities
Excellent horse riding centre offering lessons for all ages and levels as well as hosting some of France's most prestigious show jumping events.
Equestrian Center Sainte Helen
75 Chemin de SerresExcellent horse riding centre offering lessons for all ages and levels as well as hosting some of France's most prestigious show jumping events.
If you know how to sail, rent a sailboat for a couple of hours to enjoy the bay. If you don't, book some lessons.
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Yacht Club Basque
Bretelle de SocoaIf you know how to sail, rent a sailboat for a couple of hours to enjoy the bay. If you don't, book some lessons.
Small surf school run by locals Mel & Julien. Super friendly, small classes, perfect for kids & adults just starting out or looking to improve their technique. English spoken.
Habia Surfschool - Surf School Pays Basque
261 chemin dolaretaSmall surf school run by locals Mel & Julien. Super friendly, small classes, perfect for kids & adults just starting out or looking to improve their technique. English spoken.
Pariri dwar il-belt
Frażijiet utli
"Milesker"
pronounced "meeleshker", it's Basque for thank you.
Kif tista' tmur minn post għall-ieħor
Free parking in St Jean de Luz
Parking in St Jean de Luz can be hard to find (and pricey) but you can usually find a free spot (in both senses of the word) in the hills around the Hotel "Les Goelands", just 5min walk from the beach.