Trifter

Bayonne is the capital of the French Basque Country. It is located at the crossroads of the Landes forest, of the rich hills of Chalosse and country of Adour and even of the far Béarn. It is indeed the hub of the three Basque Provinces.The long succession of bridges on the Nive and the typical half-timbered houses, the audacious steeples of the gothic cathedral rising over the girdle of ramparts built by Vauban will remain on the visitor’s mind. On the North bank of the Adour River, the citadel overlooks the city. This stone fence is now interrrupted by large avenues but this bastioned front, so typical of the late XVIIth century military architecture, inspired many painters. The glacis has been turned into superb promenades. Facing the ramparts, along the famous Allées Paulmy, the row of magnificent Neo-Basque houses are part of the « Nouveau Bayonne ». Beyond the surrounding walls, here and there, a few towers come into view with sometimes Gallo-Roman substructures. The star-shaped ramparts rest on the Old Castle whose walls dipped into the Adour River. In the lively sector of the « Petit Bayonne » the New Castle similarly encircles the stonewall, vaulted corridors and defensive works. Thus Bayonne affirms its secular role of military town, mounting guard on the road to Spain. In the historic center, in the stately Gothic cathedral, the ribbed vaults sing from the chevet where the flat-roofed absidioles recall the Gothic of the South. But the Gothic of Reims is also very present in the apse, probably brought by some masons from Champagne. The nave was built in the XIVth century. The façade dates back to the XVth century and the two elegant steeples were built in the XIXth century by Boeswilwald who worked with Viollet-le-Duc. They reach 84 meters. The portal of the sacristy leads to one of the largest gothic cloisters in France with XIVth century arcades.

Many plots and fights took place here in the past, Bayonne was besieged 14 times. In 1814, the city held by Wellington, resisted until peace.

The painter Léon Bonnat bequeathed a wide collection of paintings to the city, namely works by Degas, El Greco, Boticelli and Goya. They are presented in the Musée Bonnat.

Bayonne is also famed for its marvellous chocolates, delicious ham, fine liquors, traditional household linen and lively streets where it is so nice to stroll. And why not try the Basque Pelota?

Lively street, Bayonne.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/55/Bayonne04.jpg

Houses on the bank of the Nive, Bayonne.

http://images.stanzapub.com/readers/2009/08/06/bayonnehousesview_2.jpg

Musée Bonnat, Bayonne. 

http://images.stanzapub.com/readers/2009/08/06/bayonnemusc3a9ebonnat_2.jpg

The Citadel of Bayonne.

http://images.stanzapub.com/readers/2009/08/06/bayonnecaserne_2.jpg

The cloisters and steeples of Cathedral Sainte-Marie in Bayonne.

http://images.stanzapub.com/readers/2009/08/06/francebayonnecathedralesaintececile_2.jpg

Typical Basque houses, Bayonne.

http://images.stanzapub.com/readers/2009/08/06/bayonneredwalledhouse_2.jpg

The ramparts of Bayonne.

http://images.stanzapub.com/readers/2009/08/06/bayonneremparts_2.jpg

Old tower in the historic center of Bayonne.

http://images.stanzapub.com/readers/2009/08/06/bayonnetower_1.jpg

The Old Castle of Bayonne.

http://images.stanzapub.com/readers/2009/08/06/fr64bayonne12_1.jpg

The nave and choir of the imposing Cathedral Sainte-Marie of Bayonne. 

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/e5/Bayonne_saintmarie.

Façade of the Cathedral, Bayonne.

http://images.stanzapub.com/readers/2009/08/06/bayonnecatedral_1.jpg