Basque Country: Discovering the Festivals of Bayonne

France, its well-established regional traditions, its festivals and... among the most emblematic: the Bayonne Festivals, in the southwest.

This annual meeting in late July is one of the most festive in the country. Five days, five nights and several thousand "festayres" that land in the city.

It’s easy to remember the date: Bayonne’s holidays are held every year, starting Wednesday before the first weekend of August. They close on Sundays, leaving the city and its people ever more proud and night birds largely filled.

Wanderlix takes you to the crazy, friendly and unanimous rhythm of the Bayonne Festivals.

Historical rapid on the Bayonne Festivals

Since their creation in 1932, the Festivals of Bayonne have grown steadily. Yet tradition was humblely initiated by the party committee of the time, inspired by the mythical Festivals of Pamplona, Dax and Mont-de-Marsan. It is also the Spanish feast that holds the tradition of the white and red outfit on which we will return below.

The initial program of the Bayonne Festivals has evolved, some appointments have simply become essential.

You will discover the traditional cows races, Basque gastronomy through producer markets and culinary competitions, demonstrations of folk dances and music as well as the fierce fighting of Basque pelote. You will also have the opportunity to attend the fireworks, balls, concerts and parades of King Léon. The latter, in the form of an iconic puppet from the Bayonnais country, sits each year on the balcony of the Town Hall to watch its flocks...

Over the years, other major figures of the Festivals of Bayonne have entered the arena: the famous Peña, associations of friends around strong values, friendliness and social assistance, and the Bandas, these playful musicians, who cheer up on the streets and board their crowded audience.

In short, forget the clichés. It would be sad to summarize Bayonne's Festivities in all kinds of frascos. These are especially incredible meetings around Basque traditions, good mood and intergenerational reunions.

Some (improbable) numbers on the Bayonne Festivals

At the end of the Bayonne Festival, no less 300 tons waste is collected by 200 dedicated household agents.

By counting the Police, Gendarmerie and Customs forces, more 500 officers security are deployed during the Bayonne celebrations.

For five days (and nights), 22 kilometres de voiries are literally flooded with 1 million festayres.

In all, 25 000 kilometres squares are dedicated to the party, dance, drink.

Every year, no less 150,000 campers disembark with their tent and caravan to party.

On average, at the end of the festivities, participants consumed 1 liter Jacqueline, 1.5 litres of Sangria and 2 litres Beer each. This brings back the number of eco-goblets distributed during the Bayonne Festival to... 1,250,000 !

Food side, by less 6000 burgers are swallowed in five days.

A day in the skin of a bayonnais late July

During the Festivals of Bayonne, every day its theme: on Wednesday the opening, on Thursday the day of the children, on Friday the day of the associations, on Saturday the day of traditions and on Sunday the one in the honor of Pamplona. If you want to fully live these five days of madness, as much as you say, you will have to hang up and rest for a few days the following week. Zoom in on the Bayonne holiday program.

You will quickly realize: the festivities are marked by unavoidable times. Among them, the opening ceremony of Wednesday evening with the handover of the city’s keys. On this occasion, the bombs explode in gusts and King Léon gives his first show. At 10 p.m. ring what the Bayonnais call Mascleta , the fetards then drown their scarf, to keep at the neck until Sunday.

From Wednesday to Sunday, from 8 a.m., the music sounds on the streets. Very quickly, the fanfares invade the city. Big sleepers, you'll be hurt. The musical programme highlights the Basque Gaiteros and Txistularis, but also jazz groups and military cliques.

Every day, just before noon, the giants of cardboard paste scroll through the streets of the city, frustrating a passage through the white and red tide. 12 hours, the sun reaches its zenith. It’s hot, people jubilee and feel impatience: place to apéro. Aperitives-concerts and public bals take over Bayonne.

It is also the time when the walls of the Town Hall tremble: the Bandas make a great vacarma to awaken the King of the Feasts, our dear Léon. From 22:00 to 3:00 in the morning, a rebellion on the side of the town hall, on the tile of the Halles and the Roland-Barthes esplanade. In the meantime, all types of folklore animations are organized. Your participation will probably depend on your level of fatigue.

If for five days the city is on fire, don't think the children are ousted. Every afternoon, at the time of tasting, they are welcomed in the public gardens for tamborradas. Moreover, the Thursday program is entirely dedicated to them. The day runs through Txikis (little encierros) encierros where children challenge fake cardboard bulls, pushed by adults.

5:30 p.m., the Landes cows start from Place Saint-André or Paul-Bert, calling on the shaving neophytes or seasoned but also temeral tourists (or a bit imbibed) looking for strong sensations.

At 7 p.m., Place Jacques-Porte, a traditional Dantzazpi takes place. Hundreds of people dance and cling to the rhythms of Fandangos And Basque jumps.

On Wednesday and Sunday, at the modern Trinquet, don't miss the scenic parts of naked hand pelot. Here, these big tournaments hold national sport and, you will see it quickly, this discipline is rather demanding and painful. Force, address, agility, vivid eye and specific instruments are rigour to participate in this ancestral game.

On Friday night, the traditional evening of singles climbs the temperature. Men stare at each other, women come out between each other, then end up meeting each other.

On Saturday, at 6 p.m., there is the grandiose Corrida on horseback followed, in the evening, of the light Corso. This magical moment is characterized by a parade of tanks in the heart of the crowd and before a jury to elect the most beautiful and surprising of them.

On Sunday, the pagan traditions resumed their top with the Bandas Mass at 11 o'clock. Believers or not, visitors and locals enter the church of Saint-André. At 6 p.m. is the second Corrida of the Bayonne Festival.

Then, the parties end in apotheosis with fireworks that precede the ceremony of the kidnapping of the scarves. Like the hats of American graduates, the red fabrics rise above the place of Liberty. The festayres proudly brand their scarf, juring to renew it the following year.

The 5 things to do during the Festivals of Bayonne

Dance with Bandas

More than thirty Bandas take charge of diving all Bayonne, from morning to evening without respite for five days, in festive music. These bands of musicians, armed with their trumpets, drums, trombones, tubas, saxophones, exercise a magnetic aura on the crowd in delirium.

To dance with the Bandas, there is only to stretch the ear or to follow the dancing silhouettes on the padded rhythms. In exchange for a warm smile or a cool beer, you can even be entitled to the contemporary or traditional song of your choice!

Admire traditional parades

The Festivals of Bayonne are punctuated by three major parades, a true ode to Basque culture. The most majestic is the light corso of Saturday night. This magical moment seduces small and large and comes to suspend, for a few moments, the cries and songs in the streets. The theme of this parade of decorated and illuminated tanks, on a background of vibrant music played by the Bandas, changes every year. But one thing is certain, it's always grand.

Don't miss the parade of King Leon's court. Every day, the six Giants of the King's Court gather and pick up the King before the Town Hall. A friendly moment, hand in hand with the premises.

Finally, it is impossible to pass through the official holiday parade. The latter takes place after the Sunday Mass. This is a huge gathering of musicians of all ages who travel the city in traditional Basque costumes.

Taking part in sports events

Several sports tournaments beat the Bayonne Festivals, from the most farfelus to the most serious. The incontournable sport is, of course, the Basque ball at the Masters where the champions meet for the occasion. On the Nive side, the pirogues races and the rowing regattas ensure an out-of-standard nautical show.

The Triath’drôle, a set of comic competitions where teams compete in a contest where laughter is the master word, will not end up muscle your zygomatics. In fact, it is an opportunity to participate in the world championship of omelette in chili peppers or that of spider throwing.

One of the signals that mark the beginning of the festivities is the famous race of the festayres. The course stretches over almost fifteen kilometers and gathers several thousand riders each year. The streets of Biarritz , of Anglet and Bayonne are then invaded by a white and red cloud, followed by the Txiki trail and its young aficionados from 8 to 12 years old.

Honor the cows

Ah... cow races in the arenas are great times. Look out, we're all right. No bulls in the streets of Bayonne. But don't get me wrong, these less dangerous beasts know how to do the show and offer some gray moments to the crowd in delusions. For spectators as runners, guaranteed chills!

However, minors and older persons cannot descend into the arena. If you don’t really have the habit, we also advise you to stay seated wisely and to encourage as it is necessary the temeraires in search of adrenaline!

Dressing white and red

This holds true Dress Code! The origin of this dress was in 1969, when Luis Mariano threw the keys all white and red dressed. This color code was finally taken to such a point that we associate the Festivals of Bayonne with a real white and red tide throughout the Basque Country.

If you don’t have the proper outfit and accessories, no worries, all the shops in the city will sell you the complete draw. So start by slipping a shirt and a white short. But don't get me wrong: your immaculate outfit will end... black.

Then swim a red belt (node on the left) on your hips and the famous scarf on your neck (not before Wednesday, 22 hours). Despite the temptation of the "total look" forget the sandals or espadrilles, favor the old sneakers. Otherwise, to play it practical and in the theme, we recommend the red banana around the waist.

Where to stay at the Festivals of Bayonne

It’s safe that we don’t come to the Bayonne Festival to make a sleep cure. However, to keep the pace during these five days of pure madness and joy, it will still be necessary to sleep a few hours. For this, several options are possible.

Airbnb or hotel

A good option, economical, is to book a Airbnb or hotel in the surrounding villages. Anglet, St Jean de Luz, Biarritz, Hendaye, Bidart or even in the Landes: all these communes are served by buses that will allow you to reach the party in just a few minutes.

The holiday buses offer an incomparable atmosphere! Small advice, buy the go/return to avoid shopping scabs at 4 o’clock in the morning.

If you have more budget, book one Airbnb directly to Bayonne.

During the holidays, the Grand Bayonne welcomes more than 30-year-old feasts and the Bayonnaiss pure strain. The Little Bayonne is more of the youngest. It's up to you to choose your camp! Although it is best to pass from one quarter to another and taste all the atmospheres.

Camping

If you are in a more adventurous mood, know that the campsite is possible. For this, head to the Mousserole reception area and its 1500 seats. Count 35 € per weekend for a two-person tent. The fare for Six nights rises to 75 € . If you sleep more than two in a tent, count 12 € additional per night per person.

Finally, the Mousserole area offers access to showers 2 € . On the other hand, the wild camping and the nights on a roundabout are not allowed and severely punished.

Practical information

Rates

Access to Bayonne Holidays is paid from Friday noon to Sunday evening. The package is 8 € . However, Bayonnais is free of payment. The Holiday Pass is on sale in mid-July and throughout the festivities in the Tourism Offices and Keolis resellers, and then directly to the boxes at the entrance of the perimeter.

Access

If you come from far to make the Festivals of Bayonne (and you will not regret it), know that the nearest airport is Biarritz-Anglet-Bayonne. Located in Anglet, it enjoys an ideal location. Flights from Paris and several cities in France are daily. To find the best flights, please consult one Compare flights .

By car, you will have no trouble approaching the city. The departmentals and highways from Spain, Toulouse, Pau, Bordeaux, Paris are the main roads taken. However, park away and win the party and your neighborhoods on foot. Not only are the squares around the perimeter but in addition the mirrors are too often victims of the festayres that titubrate...

If not, why don't you try soft mobility with the party train? The TER Aquitaine offers a unique package 12 € which allows access to Bayonne and its many surrounding cities.