Our campsites
in Pyrénées-Atlantiques, Nouvelle-Aquitaine region
Cottage Parks offers you several eco-chic campsites in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques to enjoy the diversity of this département’s landscapes, as well as its very distinctive local cultures.
If you’re looking for a destination for your next family vacation or romantic getaway, here’s why an eco-responsible camping holiday in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques is a great idea that will delight young and old alike!
The Atlantic Pyrenees, the ideal destination for your camping vacation
In the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region of southwest France, the Pyrénées-Atlantiques owe their charm to the wild, rocky Atlantic coast, the Pyrenees mountains and other green hills, and the rivers and gaves that shape the landscape. Covering an area of 7645 km2, the Pyrénées-Atlantiques are the result of the twinning of the Béarn and Basque regions.
From the beaches of the Basque coast, with its world-famous surf spots such as Biarritz and Hendaye, to the more intimate beaches along the corniche, to the agricultural and livestock areas, via the mountains and its many green valleys, the Pyrénées-Atlantiques are sure to provide a change of scenery. The Basque and Béarnaise cultures, as well as water, land and air sports, are also strong assets of the destination. And let’s not forget the benefits of spa treatments at Salies-de-Béarn, with its spring ten times saltier than the Dead Sea. Fans of gastronomy are also well catered for.
Bordering the Landes, Gers and Hautes-Pyrénées départements and Spain, the Pyrénées-Atlantiques is ideally located for discovering must-see places like Biarritz and the Basque coast, Pau and its royal city, Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port on the Santiago de Compostela pilgrimage route, and nearby San Sebastian in Spanish Basque territory, or Landes surf spots like Capbreton and Hossegor.
Demographically, the Pyrénées-Atlantiques has an average population density of 693,027 in 2021, concentrated in the foothills of the Pyrenees. It’s a department strongly influenced by local cultures, and you’ll find traditional Béarnaise house architecture everywhere, as well as Basque traffic signs and pelota pediments in every village… Renowned as a friendly place to live, life in the countryside is punctuated by village festivals and agricultural customs around the grape harvest or transhumance. Bayonne’s blue-and-white Ferias are a popular meeting place for festival-goers. Let yourself be guided by this destination full of surprises.
What to see in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques during your Cottage Parks camping vacation
In the Pyrénées-Atlantiques, you’ll find something for everyone: water sports in the river, lake or ocean; snowshoeing with the different forms of Basque pelota (pala xisterra); hiking in the heart of this hilly territory… If the intimate rocky beaches let you enjoy the ocean waves, the rivers in the hinterland will also let you enjoy swimming and activities such as whitewater sports at Bidarray. Surfing enthusiasts can practice on the famous Belharra wave. Bayonne, with its Féria, historic center and half-timbered houses, is not lacking in charm.
Here, you can experience a part of French history at first hand. In Saint-Jean-de-Luz, you can discover the home of Louis XIV and the Infanta of Spain, who came here to celebrate their marriage. In Pau, you can follow in the footsteps of King Henri IV. And in Orthez, you’ll find the remains of the Old Bridge, built in the 13th century.
Salies-de-Béarn, the little Venice of Béarn, is a town renowned for its salt and thermal baths. Did you know that Bayonne Ham can only be called Bayonne Ham if it has been salted with Salies salt?
Oloron-Sainte-Marie, also on the pilgrimage route to Santiago de Compostela, has the smell of chocolate in its nostrils. Lindt has invited itself to this beautiful village, and the factory is open to visitors. It’s also the gateway to the Aspe, Ossau and Iraty valleys. The Pyrenees National Park offers magnificent walks and high mountain lakes.
The little Rhune train takes you up to the roof of the Basque Country. The climb can also be made on foot for the more athletic. You’ll come across pottoks (typical Basque horses) and some beautiful houses, each bearing a name that relates to the history of the place or the family.
And to come to the Pyrénées-Atlantiques without sampling all the local culinary specialities would be sacrilege! Espelette chillies, cheeses from the Pyrenean valleys, Basque cakes, Itxassou black cherries, poule au pot, Irouleguy wine and Jurançon for those with a sweet tooth. Not to mention typical Basque cider or Spanish tapas. In short, this exceptional terroir is just waiting for you…
And let’s not forget rugby! The sporting atmosphere is everywhere, it’s almost a religion. Watch out for the derby between Bayonne, Aviron Bayonnais and Biarritz Olympique.
As you can see, the department is rich and varied for those who want to discover the area. There’s more to the Atlantic Pyrenees than Bayonne or Pau. There are plenty of campsites to choose from, and they’ve diversified considerably to meet the needs of holidaymakers. Cottageparks can help you sort through the options to find the ecofriendly campsite of your dreams in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques.
The Atlantic Pyrenees, a way of life in small villages, cradled between the traditions of Bearn and the Basque country.
In the Basque Country
- Espelette and its typical village. You can also visit the more typical Itxassou, and do the pas de Roland walk.
- Cambo-les-Bains and Villa Arnaga
- Biarritz and its sea and chocolate museums
- Socoa Fort in the bay of Saint-Jean-de-Luz
- Hendaye and Abaddia Castle
- Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port
- Saint-Jean-de-Luz, its port and old town
- Bayonne
In Béarn
- Pau, the castle and the viewpoint over the Pyrenees mountain range
- Salies-de-Béarn
- Oloron-Sainte-Marie
- Mauléon-Licharre and its festivals
- The Jurançon hillsides
- Pic du Midi d’Ossau and high mountain lakes like Artouste
By the ocean or in the heart of nature, with family or alone, with friends or as a couple, sporty or a party animal… when you stay at a campsite in the Atlantic Pyrenees, you’re bound to find something to keep you entertained. The possibilities are endless. There is something for everyone. Here are a few ideas (not an exhaustive list, of course):
- Little Rhune train
- Chocolateries de Bayonne
- Musée de la mer in Biarritz
- Salies-de-Béarn salt museum and salt baths
- Lake Guiche nautical base
- La Bastide de Nay
- Orthez
- Sauveterre-de-Béarn
- Bidarray and white water sports
- Pilgrim’s Way to Santiago de Compostela
- Ainhoa and its traditional houses
- Visit to Sare, one of France’s most beautiful villages
A department as varied in its landscapes and terroir as it is in its cuisine. You won’t be able to resist the piment d’Espelette, available in all its forms in the department’s stores. Another must-try is the famous Bayonne ham, although the pigs are not native to the commune. It was access to the port that made the town famous and gave its name to this ham, salted exclusively with Salies de Béarn salt.
Recycling info: sheep’s wool is used as insulation in local construction.
A useful gesture worth highlighting.
Basque cider-making is also very famous.
What characterizes it?
Big tables where everyone mingles over local specialties: cod, prime rib, piquillos and Basque cake, with cider of course.
For a taste of seafood, head for Biarritz’s “crampotes” (typical fishermen’s houses still to be found around its little port). Once famous for its whale fishing, Biarritz was also involved in oyster farming before returning to standard fishing activities.
In any case, when it comes to tasting specialities, always go for the local producers – you’ll find them everywhere along the roadside. Don’t miss: poule au pot, Basque cake, Ossau Iraty cheese with black cherry jam, Irouléguy and Jurançon wines, piment d’Espelette and Salies-de-Béarn salt.
While the reputation of the férias is well established, there are many other local traditions and festivals that enliven the region throughout the year.
- Fêtes de Mauléon-Licharre and Basque strength
- Féria de Bayonne and the ham festival
- Basque pelota
- Biarritz Latin America Film Festival
- Transhumance in the mountains
Book your eco-friendly campsite in the Atlantic Pyrenees with cottageparks
After all that, you shouldn’t have any doubts about your future vacation destination. Now all you have to do is choose your ideal accommodation with Cottage Parks.
Lovers of nature and environmental protection can take advantage of the Pyrenees National Park, offering hiking and cycling trails with explanations of the local flora and fauna.
From the many tables d’hôtes and paysannes at local producers’, to farm campsites and gites in the heart of nature, book your vacation in the Atlantic Pyrenees with Cottage Parks. You can be sure that you’re choosing an establishment that takes a virtuous approach to sustainable tourism. Our priority is to offer you the best possible service and comfort at our campsites, while reducing the ecological impact on the local environment.
Holidaymakers will have the pleasure of discovering a wide range of campsites in the Atlantic Pyrenees, combining nature and pleasure. All campers have to do is choose between beach, mountain or countryside.
In the Pyrénées-Atlantiques, with its wealth of gastronomic delights, wooded and natural areas and well-known seaside resorts, vacations are guaranteed to offer a variety of activities and landscapes. Relaxation, reconnection with nature and the authenticity of Béarn and the Basque Country will leave holidaymakers with unforgettable memories. Book now.