Bidart (Pyrénées-Atlantiques)

Bidart (Bidarte in Basque) is a French commune located in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques department in the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region.

It has developed along nearly five kilometers of the Atlantic coastline, and its seafront (Côte basque) is distinguished by long, heavily folded cliffs overlooking several beaches. Bordering Biarritz, it is twenty-five kilometers north of the border with Spain.

Located in an area known to humans since the Upper Paleolithic, the village did not become urbanized until the 12th century. With its significant maritime exposure, the village developed an ocean-oriented activity, distinguishing itself from the 16th century in whaling.

Bidart turned to seaside resorts in the early 20th century, abandoning its agricultural and fishing activities in the process. The town’s urban planning has evolved considerably to respond to the residential growth emanating from the employment areas of the Bayonne urban area, while focusing on the preservation of protected areas of its natural heritage.

Tourism

Ilbarritz Castle was built between 1895 and 1897 by Gustave Huguenin for Baron Albert de l’Espée. The façades and roofs, the organ chamber, and the grand staircase have been listed as historical monuments since 1990.

The Church of Our Lady of the Assumption dates from the 16th century. Its gallery has been listed as a historical monument since 2001, and it is itself listed as a cultural heritage site. It contains a 17th-century crucifix and an 18th-century wooden statue of Saint James.

The Chapel of Saint Magdalene dates from the 19th century. It is listed in the General Inventory of Cultural Heritage.

The Parliamentia Chapel, was used as a stop on the coastal route of the Way of Saint James.

The town has an exhibition gallery (Pili Taffernaberry) in the village center.

Beaches

Bidart has six supervised beaches, open from July 1st to August 31st, running from north to south:

Ilbarritz Beach, located on the border with Biarritz;
Pavillon royal Beach;
Erretegia Beach;
Centre Beach;
Uhabia Beach;
Parlementia Beach, located on the border with Guéthary.

Two areas are part of the Natura 2000 network, partially within the territorial boundaries of Bidart. These are the cliffs of Saint-Jean-de-Luz to Biarritz and Lake Mouriscot.