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Voykit pocket guide · France
Bidarray
Spend a day in Bidarray for rafting or a short hike; add a night if you want a splurge stay or to rest after water sports.
Bidarray is a tiny Basque village in the Nive valley, ideal as a base for white‑water rafting, GR10 hiking and mountain views. One full day covers the main activities; a second night eases travel fatigue.
- Country
- France
- Best months
- Jun–Sep
- Avoid
- Dec–Feb (cold, snow, limited water flow)
- Stay
- 1 night
Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.
Essentials
- Currency
- EUR
- Money
- Currency is the euro (EUR, €). Contactless cards work in most shops, cafés and restaurants.
- Daily spend
- Budget €45–70 excl. bed · Mid €70–120 excl. bed · High €120+ excl. bed (estimate; check)
- SIM and data
- Orange, SFR, Bouygues Télécom and Free sell prepaid SIMs in their shops and at tabacs; ID is required to register.
- Emergency
- Police 17 · Ambulance / Fire 15 · General emergency 112
- Plugs
- Types C, E · 230 V · 50 Hz · Round two-pin plugs; type E sockets have an earth pin sticking out, so Schuko (type F) plugs need a C/E hybrid or an adapter.
- Tipping
- Café or bar: Leave small change, €0.20–1.; Restaurant: Service is included; leave 5–10% in cash for good service.; Taxi: Round up to the next euro or two.; Hotel porter or housekeeping: €1–2 per bag or per night.; Tour guide: €5–10 per person for a half day, more for private guides.
- Water
- Tap water is safe everywhere unless signed otherwise. Restaurants must serve a free carafe of tap water on request.
- Toilets
- Paris has free automatic public toilets (sanisettes); elsewhere use cafés (buy a coffee), museums and stations, where some charge €0.50–1.
What things cost
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Coffee | €1–2 |
| Basque pintxos plate | €5–8 |
| Rafting half‑day | €45–70 (check) |
| Train ticket Bidarray ↔ Bayonne | €5–8 (check) |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- BIQ · Biarritz Pays Basque Airport
- ≈30 km (19 mi), flights to major European hubs≈19 mi (30 km), flights to major European hubs
- EAS · San Sebastián Airport
- ≈40 km (25 mi), Spanish side≈25 mi (40 km), Spanish side
- PUF · Pau Pyrénées Airport
- ≈100 km (62 mi), regional connections≈62 mi (100 km), regional connections
Typical fares
- Biarritz → Bidarray, train
- about €5–8, 30 min (check)
- Car rental per day
- ≈ €30–55, small car (check)
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card
Get around
Village is walkable; rent a car for mountain trails and nearby towns. GR10 hikers walk the train line.
See and do
Known for
- Nive river rafting
- GR10 trail
- Iparla ridges
- Artzamendi peak
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port | Train Bayonne → Bidarray (30 min) then bus 20 min, or drive 15 km (9.3 mi)Train Bayonne → Bidarray (30 min) then bus 20 min, or drive 9.3 mi (15 km) | ≈1 h total |
| Cambo-les-Bains | Car via D918, 12 km (7.5 mi)Car via D918, 7.5 mi (12 km) | ≈30 min |
Sleep
- Gîte d'étape Aire Zabal
- Budget dormitory, village upper part
- Camping Amestoya
- Campsite 2 km (1.2 mi) north, D908 accessCampsite 1.2 mi (2 km) north, D908 access
- Auberge Ostape
- 5‑star boutique, hillside views
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Excuse me / Sorry | Barkatubarkatu |
| Thank you | Eskerrik askoeskerrik asko |
| How much is it? | Zenbat da?zenbat da? |
| Where is the toilet? | Non dago komuna?non dago komuna? |
Etiquette, safety and scams
Etiquette
- Greeting: Say 'bonjour madame/monsieur' on entering any shop, bus or office; avoid: Asking a question before saying bonjour — it is read as rude
- Cheek kisses (la bise): Follow the other person's lead; one to four kisses depending on region; avoid: Initiating la bise with strangers or in business
- Addressing people: Use 'vous' and titles until invited otherwise; avoid: First names and 'tu' with older people or staff
- Restaurants: Wait to be seated in restaurants; call the waiter 'monsieur' or 'madame'; avoid: 'Garçon', snapping fingers, asking for the bill before you are finished
- Conversation: Debate is a pleasure; food, politics and philosophy are fair game; avoid: Asking about salary or religion; loud voices on trains
- Dinner at a home: Bring flowers (not chrysanthemums), chocolates or a good bottle; arrive 10–15 minutes late; avoid: Cutting the tip off a cheese wedge or asking for ketchup
- Dress: Smart-casual in cities; covered shoulders in churches; avoid: Beachwear in town centres
Scams and watch-outs
- River flow varies; check rafting conditions before booking.
- Mountain weather changes fast; bring rain gear and inform someone of your route.
- Guided water‑sport tours are required for beginners.
Bidarray is safe; main risks are mountain weather and river conditions—follow guide advice and check forecasts.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Bidarray yet. Suggested stay: 1 night. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Nive river rafting
- GR10 trail
- Iparla ridges
- Artzamendi peak
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Bidarray official website: www.bidarray.fr
- Wikivoyage: Bidarray, revision 5242704 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=5242704
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Printed from Voykit (/bidarray). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.