Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
$$ Hôtel des Arceaux**
is a family-run B&B-style establishment with 16 rooms on
a small pedestrian street in Grand Bayonne. It's just around the corner from the cathedral
(Db-€66-76, breakfast-€7, free Wi-Fi, 26 Rue Port Neuf, tel. 05 59 59 15 53,
www.hotel-
The Grand Bayonne riverside has several tapas restaurants, a couple of easy
bistrots
, and
a pizza place. The Petit Bayonne riverside has some
bistrots
and a few more proper sit-
downrestaurants.ThepedestrianstreetssurroundingthecathedralinGrandBayonneoffer
casual dining spotsserving crêpes,
tartines
,quiches, andsalads. Mostplaces have outdoor
tables in nice weather.
Le Bayonnais,
next door to the Museum of Basque Culture, serves traditional
Basque specialties à la carte. Sit in the blue-tiled interior or out along the river (€18 week-
day lunch and dinner
menu
on weekdays, closed Sun-Mon, Quai des Corsaires 38, tel. 05
59 25 61 19).
La Cidrerie Txotx
(pronounced “choch”) has a Spanish-bodega ambience under a
chorus line of hams. You can also sit outside, along the river, just past the market hall
(€8-10 Basque tapas or €12-19
plats,
daily, 49 Quai Jauréguiberry, tel. 05 59 59 16 80).
A la Bolée
serves up inexpensive sweet and savory crêpes in a cozy atmosphere
along the side of the cathedral (daily, 10 Place Pasteur, tel. 05 59 59 18 75).
Le Chistera,
run by a family that's spent time in the US, proudly serves traditional
Basque dishes made with market-fresh ingredients. Try the
poulet
with Basque sauce or
one of their soups, and polish off your meal with homemade
gâteau basque
(€16 lunch
menu
,€25-30dinners,Tue-Wed12:00-14:00,Thu-Sun12:00-14:00&19:30-21:00,closed
Mon, 42 Rue Port Neuf, tel. 05 59 59 25 93,
www.lechistera.com
)
.
Café du Théâtre
has pleasant outdoor tables by the river. Try it for a simple early
breakfast (Place de la Liberté, tel. 05 59 59 09 31).
Picnic Supplies:
If the weather's good, consider gathering a picnic from the shops
along the pedestrian streets, at Les Halles market (only open in the mornings), in the
Casino minimart (Mon-Sat 8:00-13:00 & 15:30-20:00, closed Sun, 38 Rue Port Neuf), or
at the Monoprix (Mon-Sat 8:30-20:30, closed Sun, 8 Rue Orbe). Don't forget the chocol-
ate, then head for the park around the ramparts below the
Jardin Botanique
(benches
galore).
