Walk in La Bastide-Clairence, one of the most beautiful villages in France

The Basque Country is home to four of the most beautiful villages in France : Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port, Sare, Ainhoa, and La Bastide- Clairence. Would you like to take a stroll through the latter village to discover its treasures ? You will be amazed by its architecture, its artisans, and its lush nature. I'm sure it will inspire you to book your next vacation in this charming corner of France.

Bastide-Clairence: A movie set

La Bastide-Clairence is located about twenty kilometers from Bayonne, and the road to get there will delight more than one! From the first steps in the center of this village, I was impressed by the beauty of its buildings. All the houses are superb white buildings with red or green half-timbering, typical of the Basque Country.

This unity of architecture makes this village superb. It feels like you're walking through a movie set, but these houses are very real and were built a very long time ago. During my visit, I saw a house from 1679 and another from 1563! Imagine the number of visitors they have seen...

The Place des Arceaux, which is the main street of the village, is magnificent and lively, but I advise you to wander the small streets around it. You will make some great discoveries there!

Craftsmen with exceptional know-how

Beyond its authentic architecture, which gives it this unique character, the village has managed to preserve an extraordinary know-how. I reveal my 3 favorites:

• Discover La Maison Kolore (branded by Palmyre Paris and Atelier Mars). Palmyre presents its sumptuous jewelry and unusual embroidered photographs. Its expertise: Luneville crochet embroidery (a technique developed by the Lesage school for haute couture)! Jessica from Atelier Mars offers chic, rock'n'roll, and timeless leather goods. Visit their boutique workshop "Maison Kolore" in the heart of the Village .

• My other favorite is located just a stone's throw from the town hall : it's an old forge. You're warmly welcomed by the blacksmith's wife who worked here . At the entrance to the workshop, old newspaper clippings evoke the forge and highlight the blacksmith's trade of the time. The magic really works when you enter this place . It's a guaranteed journey through time ! Everything has been left as it was and you can wander freely in this space full of history and period objects. You can easily imagine the heat and noise that must have reigned here when the forge was in operation.

• Finally, my last address will delight the most gourmands among you : it is the Macaron Factory. These delicious little biscuits are made with dried fruits (almonds, hazelnuts, etc.), sugar and egg white. A simple recipe made in the pure tradition. The hardest part is deciding between the different varieties: chocolate, coconut, almond, etc. It is typical, very good and it is a good idea for gourmet souvenirs to bring back to your loved ones.

Lush nature to explore

After a tour of the heart of the village, it's time to explore the surrounding area. And for that, what better than a canoe trip on the Joyeuse River ? During the summer, you can board at the old port with Jungle Canoë. Out of season, you can also enjoy it from Itxassou which is about twenty kilometers away. The excursion is more or less sporty and eventful depending on the water level, but it is always pleasant and well supervised thanks to super friendly instructors ! Whether you are with friends or family, it's a great opportunity to discover the region in an original way.

A sporty outing to enjoy nature. Photo: ©Jungle Canoë

If you're in the area on a Tuesday, you're in luck! It's the day of the farmers' and food trades market. A great place to stock up on Basque specialties : charcuterie, cheese, jams, Espelette peppers, and more.

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Article written by Mélanie Oliva for the Basque Country Guide