Grottes de Sare

French Basque Country

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Who knows what the first inhabitants of the Grottes de Sare, some 20,000 years ago, would make of today's whiz-bang technology that now lights up the Stygian gloom in these stunning subterranean caves? Multilingual 45-minute tours take you through a gaping entrance via narrow passages to a huge central cavern, where impressive shows of holograms and laser lights are staged.

Follow the D306 6km south of the village of Sare. Hegobus (www.hegobus.com) bus 21 goes from St-Jean de Luz to the caves (€1, four daily).

Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

  • Porte Notre Dame gate in St Jean Pied de Port, France.

    Walled Town

    18.38 MILES

    Though modern St-Jean has expanded considerably, during medieval times the entire town was enclosed by defensive ramparts guarding France's southwestern…

  • Landscape of La Concha beach in the city of San Sebastian, in the Spanish Basque Country, on a sunny day with people enjoying the beach and Mount Urgull in the background.

    Playa de la Concha

    21.45 MILES

    Fulfilling almost every idea of how a perfect city beach should be formed, Playa de la Concha (and its westerly extension, Playa de Ondarreta) is easily…

  • Inside the Aquarium of San Sebastian.

    Aquarium

    21.59 MILES

    Fear for your life as huge sharks bear down behind glass panes, or gaze at otherworldly jellyfish. The highlights of a visit to the city's excellent…

  • Zurriola beach in the Basque city of San Sebastian.

    Playa de la Zurriola

    20.78 MILES

    Stretching 800m in front of Gros, from the Kursaal to Monte Ulía, 'Zurri', as it's known locally, has some excellent waves that draw surfers from near and…

  • Musée Basque et de l'Histoire de Bayonne

    Musée Basque et de l'Histoire de Bayonne

    16.1 MILES

    If you're still getting to grips with the complex culture and history of the Basque region, this excellent ethnographic museum is a great place to start…

  • Église St-Jean Baptiste

    Église St-Jean Baptiste

    9.46 MILES

    The plain façade of France’s largest and finest Basque church conceals a splendid interior with a magnificent Baroque altarpiece. It was in front of this…

  • Cathédrale Ste-Marie

    Cathédrale Ste-Marie

    16.01 MILES

    The twin towers of Bayonne's Gothic cathedral soar above the city. Construction began in the 13th century, and was completed in 1451. Above the north…

  • Isla de Santa Clara

    Isla de Santa Clara

    21.89 MILES

    Lying 750m offshore from Playa de la Concha, this little island is accessible by Motoras de la Isla boats that run every half-hour from the fishing port…

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Nearby French Basque Country attractions

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