Discover the French Basque Country

The Basque Country is full of varied natural environments, from the Atlantic coast to the mountains and forests of the hinterland. Whether you're exploring wetlands, forests or beaches, here's a guide to discovering the fauna, flora and natural sites, while adopting responsible gestures to preserve these fragile spaces.

Local flora and fauna

Wildlife:
- Birds: The Pays Basque is a migration corridor for many species, including ospreys, egrets, storks and marsh harriers. The Adour estuary is an ideal observation site. To find out more, here's an interesting article: [Link to Patrimoine Naturel Pays Basque : here
- Marine mammals: The Bay of Biscay is home to dolphins, sunfish and even whales in winter. Sea trips are available from Hendaye and Capbreton. To find out more, here's an interesting article:here
- Forests and mountains: You can spot pottoks (small Basque wild horses), griffon vultures, genets and even spotted salamanders after the rain. To find out more, here's an interesting article: here

Flora (plants and trees):
- Oak and beech forests: Found in the hinterland and on the slopes of La Rhune, they are home to a rich biodiversity. To find out more, here's an interesting article: here
- Dunes and coastal marshes: These fragile ecosystems, visible in Anglet and Ondres, are made up of oyats, sea buckthorn and saltwort. To find out more, here's an interesting article: here
- Mountain vegetation: In the Basque Pyrenees, heather, gorse and ferns add color to the landscape. To find out more, click here: here

Natural sites to discover

Atlantic coast and ocean:
- Beaches and cliffs at Anglet and Biarritz: Ideal for observing the ocean, but also seabirds such as gannets. To find out more, here's an interesting article: here
- Corniche Basque (between Saint-Jean-de-Luz and Hendaye): A magnificent trail with views of wild cliffs. To find out more, here's an interesting article: here
- Réserve marine de Capbreton: An unspoilt spot where divers can observe underwater biodiversity. To find out more, here's an interesting article: here

Forests and mountains :
- Forêt d'Iraty: Europe's largest beech forest, perfect for hiking and deer-watching. To find out more, here's an interesting article: here
- La Rhune: An emblematic mountain offering a unique panorama of the ocean and the interior of the Basque country.

Wetlands and estuaries :
- Adour estuary (Bayonne): A key ecosystem for bird migration.
- Les Barthes de l'Adour: Marshes rich in biodiversity, notably otters and herons. here

Eco-responsible behavior :

Respect the natural environment:
- Collect your garbage and use the garbage cans provided.
- Avoid picking protected flowers, plants or mushrooms.
- Don't light fires in the forest to reduce the risk of fire.

Protect wildlife:
- Stay on marked trails to avoid disturbing animals.
- Avoid excessive noise that might frighten wildlife.
- Don't feed wild animals, as this disturbs their natural diet.

Favour soft mobility:
- Walk, cycle or use public transport to reduce your carbon footprint.
- For sea excursions, choose operators committed to protecting ecosystems.

To learn more about how to enjoy nature while protecting biodiversity, here's an interesting article: here

By adopting these simple gestures, you are helping to preserve the natural treasures of the Basque Country for future generations.

Happy exploring!