Cathédrale Ste-Marie

Top choice in Bayonne


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 aisle are three lovely stained-glass windows; the oldest, in the Chapelle St-Jérôme, dates from 1531. There are also several beautifully restored frescoes. The entrance to the stately 13th-century cloister is on place Louis Pasteur.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Bayonne attractions

1. Cloister

0.02 MILES

Monks and pilgrims would once have perambulated around the cathedral's peaceful 13th-century cloister. The entrance is on place Louis Pasteur.

2. Rue des Faures

0.09 MILES

This pretty street was once home to the city's bayonet-making blacksmiths, but it's now reinvented itself as the artisan quarter. It's a lovely place to…

3. Ramparts

0.11 MILES

Once the defensive barrier that kept the city safe from attack, Bayonne's 17th-century fortifications are now covered in grass and enveloped in pretty…

5. Musée Bonnat-Helleu

0.28 MILES

Bayonne's venerable fine-arts museum is undergoing an extensive expansion, which will give it more spacious, modern galleries – veritably doubling its…

6. L’Atelier du Chocolat

0.99 MILES

Visit this chocolate factory to sample and buy its chocolates (which are also available at a shop on rue Pont Neuf in central Bayonne). While here,…

7. Plages d'Anglet

3.21 MILES

North of Pointe St-Martin, the adrenaline-pumping surfing beaches of Anglet (the final 't' is pronounced) continue northwards for more than 4km. Take bus…

8. Phare de Biarritz

3.86 MILES

Climbing the 258 twisting steps inside the 73m-high Phare de Biarritz, the town’s 1834 lighthouse, rewards you with sweeping views of the Basque coast…

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