Bayonne

Daniel VILLAFRUELA, CC BY-SA 3.0 , via Wikimedia Commons

If you've spent a few days getting body-beautiful down in San Sebastian or nearby Biarritz, why not go and undo all that good work with a trip to Bayonne!

Bayonne prides itself on ham and chocolate, which for aficionados around these parts have one ingredient in common - Piment d'Espelette

Its chocolate heritage is thanks, in large part, to exiled Sephardic Jews who after having been expelled from the Iberian Peninsular, developed an expertise in turning raw cocoa from the New World into delicious chocolate. L'Atelier du Chocolat has a museum with tasting aplenty. There's also a “Chocolate Days” festival (Ascension weekend, end of May/early June).

For ham fanciers, La Foire au Jambon in April is a must, or at other times of the year, the Halles will keep your tummy happy.

Bayonne has an annual festival, the Fêtes de Bayonne , which, like Pamplona , includes a bull run.

Highlights

Station stroll ideas

If you have an hour or two to spare waiting for a train, why not go for a wander?

Tourist info provide a brochure and an interactive map , which wasn't working last time I tried to use it.

I've also made a downloadable PDF of some walks you can do from the station along with an accompanying google map which will give you a feel for the place and take in the sights.