Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Arrival in Bayonne
By Train:
The TI and Grand Bayonne are a 15-minute walk from the train station: Walk
straight out of the station, cross the parking lot and traffic circle, and then cross the im-
posing bridge (Pont St. Esprit). Once past the big Adour River, continue across a smaller
bridge (Pont Mayou), which spans the smaller Nive River. Stop on Pont Mayou to ori-
ent yourself: You just left Petit Bayonne (left side of Nive River); ahead of you is Grand
Bayonne (spires of cathedral straight ahead, TI a few blocks to the right). The Museum of
Basque Culture is in Petit Bayonne, facing the next bridge up the Nive River.
By Car or Bus:
The handiest parking is also where buses arrive in Bayonne: next to
the TI at the modern parking lot on the edge of Grand Bayonne. To reach the town center
from here, walk past the war memorial and through the break in the ramparts. Follow the
walkway until you reach a fancy gate that leads through a tunnel. After the tunnel, turn
right at the next street; the cathedral should immediately come into view. Continue behind
thecathedralandwalkdown,down,downanyoftheatmosphericstreetstofindLesHalles
(the market) and the Nive River.
To reach this parking lot,
drivers
take the
Bayonne Sud
exit from the autoroute, then
follow green
Bayonne Centre
signs, then white
Centre-Ville
signs (with an
i
for tourist
information). You'll see the lot on your right. Payment machines only accept coins for a
maximum of two hours. In high season, when this lot can be full, use one of the lots just
outside the center (follow signs to
Glain
or
Porte d'Espagne
as you arrive in town), then
catchthelittleorange
navette
(shuttlebus)togetintothecenter(free,findroutemapspos-
ted at stops in town, every 7 minutes, Mon-Sat 7:30-19:30, closed Sun).
Helpful Hints
Loaner Bikes:
AlthoughBayonne'ssightsareeasilyreachedonfoot(exceptthechocolate
workshop), pedaling about by bike is simple and relaxing. The TI lends a limited
number of orange bikes for free to adults during office hours (must leave passport
or driver's license and a €150 deposit, same hours and contact information as TI,
Laundry: Laverie
is just blocks from the cathedral (self-service €4/wash, daily
8:00-20:00, 6 Rue d'Espagne, tel. 05 59 59 54 03).
