10 Best Beaches in Bayonne
What is the Most Popular Beach near Bayonne?
The best beaches near Bayonne are a mix of quiet, secluded sands and vast, open spaces with fantastic activities and entertainment. You’ll find great picnic spots for family fun, a wide range of beach and water sports and impressive sunset views over the Atlantic Ocean. Explore World War II bunkers and dine on fresh seafood whilst taking in sweeping vistas of breath-taking beaches.
The stretch of Atlantic coastline near Bayonne is famous for its huge waves which attract amateur and professional surfers from all over the world. There are plenty of beaches to suit beginners, as well as more experienced surfers and paddleboarders. Check out the guide below to discover the best beaches in this beautiful corner of south-west France.
1. Plage de la Barre
Tranquil beach with great views
Categoría: Económico, Foto, Familias
Plage de la Barre sits at the northern tip of Anglet, where the Adour River meets the Atlantic Ocean. It’s instantly recognisable by its jetties and locals love to stroll along them and watch the boats of all sizes coming and going. It’s one of the smallest and quietest beaches along the Basque coast, so it’s a lovely choice if you’re looking for a peaceful spot to sunbathe.
It’s also great for families as there’s a fantastic skatepark and playground area just next to the beach. Kids will love trying out new moves on their skateboards before jumping into the water afterwards to cool off. Check out the unusual L’oiseau statue at the top end of the beach too.
Plage de la Barre
2. Plage de la Chambre d’Amour
Amazing views and a local legend
Categoría: Económico, Parejas, Foto
Plage de la Chambre d’Amour is a long expanse of golden sand stretching down the southern coastline of Anglet. It’s known for its spectacular sunsets. You’ll see couples enjoying a romantic date night and incredible views on this beach. To the south, the lighthouse at Biarritz stands tall on the rugged cliffs. It’s a magnificent monument dating from the early 19th century.
Next to the beach, you’ll find an intriguing cave. Legend states that 2 young lovers got trapped inside during a high tide. They declared their undying love for each other as they were swept away in the water, and now the cave and the beach are both named after love. It’s a beautiful spot.
Plage de la Chambre d'Amour
3. Les Cavaliers
For surfers and walkers
Categoría: Gastronomía en , Económico, Grupos
Les Cavaliers Beach is a great spot for those who love to surf. On a windy day, the roaring and crashing waves can reach huge heights and it’s a wonderful sight to watch the colourful surfboards gliding through the water. If you’re looking to try surfing for the first time or improve with a lesson or 2, you’ll find a couple of surf schools along this beach too.
It’s popular with locals who like to walk or cycle the path which runs alongside the beach. Enjoy an early morning or late afternoon stroll, then choose from a good selection of restaurants spread out along the 4 km of promenade. Relax with a tasty meal and soak up the lovely views.
Les Cavaliers
4. Plage de la Digue
A vast beach with a wartime history
Categoría: Historia, Económico, Foto
Plage de la Digue is named after the long sea wall, which extends over 1 km. It’s an enormous, concrete structure providing great views over the estuary, ocean and the neighbouring Basque country. The beach itself lies just 7 km northwest of Bayonne, in the Landes department. It’s a mix of small pebbles and fine, golden sand, offering a fantastic view over the shimmering ocean.
History buffs flock to this beautiful beach because of its souvenirs from World War II. Discover bunkers and blockhouses, used as observation points during the war, dotted along this stretch of coastline. They’re covered in amazing street art and graffiti, making them sought after by tourists looking for great photos.
Plage de la Digue
5. Plage du Métro
Beautiful scenery and great facilities
Categoría: Económico, Parejas, Familias
Plage du Métro sits at the southern end of the Landes department, around 20 minutes’ drive from Bayonne. It’s a stunning beach and the backdrop of grassy dunes gives it a wild and rugged aspect. There’s a section for naturists at the top end of the beach and families flock to the central part, where the lifeguards are stationed in summer.
You’ll find free parking next to the beach, but plan on arriving early to secure a space, as it’s also used by visitors to the nearby conservation area. This is a lovely spot for hiking or biking and the trails wind through dunes, forests and wetlands. Discover magnificent flora and fauna before relaxing on the beach afterwards.
Plage du Métro
6. Plage Centrale
A wide range of entertainment
Categoría: Familias, Económico, Gastronomía en
Plage Centrale is a wonderful choice for a fun family day out. This popular beach is located just 20 km from Bayonne, in the town of Labenne. The Landes department is known for its extremely long beaches and fantastic surfing waves, and Plage Centrale is no exception. With its fine sand and dazzling blue ocean, it’s one of the best beaches near Bayonne.
If you’re looking for a pristine beach with a large car park, shops, restaurants and changing facilities nearby, this is for you. There are seasonal food trucks or why not enjoy a lazy picnic on the sand whilst the kids build sandcastles? They’ll love the fantastic children’s playground overlooking the ocean too.
Plage Centrale
7. Plage des Sables d’Or
A popular spot close to Spain
Categoría: Gastronomía en , Foto, Vida nocturna
Plage des Sables d’Or is a busy and lively beach which attracts a mainly younger crowd. It’s a dynamic urban beach which is popular with locals who come to play beach volleyball on weekends. Choose from around 40 bars and restaurants along the oceanfront and enjoy delicious seafood and cold, refreshing drinks whilst watching the sun set over the water.
This Anglet beach is known for its summer events, and you can enjoy live music at regular concerts, as well as bustling night markets. The firework displays are not to be missed, so grab a blanket and get comfortable on the beach whilst the night sky lights up in a rainbow of colours.
Plage des Sables d'Or
8. Plage de la Savane (Santocha)
Fun water sports and cycling trails
Categoría: Familias, Económico, Foto
Plage de la Savane, or Santocha as it’s known locally, is a wide beach on the Atlantic coast, 25 km north of Bayonne. You’ll find several places to hire paddleboards or take surfing lessons and enjoy various water sports. The beach is vast, and you’ll see lots of kids making the most of the space, running along the sand and splashing in the ocean.
Explore the World War II bunkers and blockhouses along this beach. And if you’re a keen cyclist, you may want to try the bike trail which goes from the port area through the centre of Capbreton. You’ll get some amazing views over the beach and ocean, and it’s an easy circuit, only a few kilometres long.
Plage de la Savane (Santocha)
9. Plage d’Hendaye
A popular spot close to Spain
Categoría: Económico, Foto, Familias
Plage d’Hendaye is one of the most beautiful beaches near Bayonne. Curving gently into the Baie du Figuier, it’s around 3 km of soft, golden sand and spectacular scenery. Hendaye is the last village before the Spanish border and from the beach, you’ll get an incredible view of the Spanish coastline.
The bay provides gentler waves than the crashing ones you’ll find just a few kilometres north, making it ideal for beginner surfers or for families wanting to swim with younger children. You’ll see locals on the beach early in the morning for Zumba and yoga classes by the water. In the evening, join those looking to watch a breath-taking sunset over the bay.
Plage d'Hendaye
10. Plage des Bourdaines
A serene stretch of golden sand
Categoría: Económico, Foto
Plage des Bourdaines is a wonderful beach for those who like wide, open spaces and tranquillity. Its enormous size means that it’s rarely crowded, even in the height of summer, with many tourists choosing the busier beaches to the north and south. Located in Seignosse, just 30 km from Bayonne, it’s a wide beach with lovely soft sand.
Surfers come to this beach for its roaring waves, and you’ll see the ocean scattered with colourful boards from dawn to dusk. There’s also a surf school, and you can check the webcam on the town’s website before heading here to see the latest weather and surf conditions at the beach.
Plage des Bourdaines
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