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Voykit pocket guide · France
Bidart
Half a day to one night: walk the coastal path, see the chapel viewpoint, and eat Basque cake at the old mill. A quiet beach stop between Biarritz and Saint-Jean-de-Luz.
Bidart is a small Basque coastal town between Biarritz and Saint-Jean-de-Luz, known for its six beaches, the Sainte-Madeleine chapel viewpoint, and the traditional Bassilour mill. Most visitors use it as a half-day stop or a one-night base for the coast. The village centre has a pelota wall and a handful of restaurants; the main draw is the coastal path and surf breaks.
- Country
- France
- Best months
- Jun–Sep
- Avoid
- Nov–Feb (many places close or reduce hours)
- 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 €50–80 excl. bed · Mid €80–130 excl. bed · High €130+ 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 · Fire 18 · Ambulance (SAMU) 15 · European 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 | €1.50–3 |
| Basque cake (gateau basque) | €4–7 |
| Menu du jour (lunch set) | €15–25 |
| Beer (draught) | €5–8 |
| Taxi from Biarritz airport to Bidart | €30–40 |
| Bus from Biarritz to Bidart | €2 (check) |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- BIQ · Biarritz Pays Basque Airport
- About 15 min by taxi; bus lines connect to Bidart
Typical fares
- Biarritz airport → Bidart, taxi
- €30–40, about 15 min
- Biarritz → Bidart, bus
- about €2, about 20 min (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
Walking covers the village centre and the coastal path. Bus lines from Biarritz and Saint-Jean-de-Luz stop in Bidart. Bike lanes connect the beaches. A car is useful for visiting the wider Basque coast.
See and do
Known for
- Sainte-Madeleine chapel viewpoint
- Six beaches and surf breaks
- Bassilour mill and Basque cake
- Coastal hiking path (sentier du littoral)
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Biarritz | Bus or car, about 15 min | 20–30 min |
| Bayonne | Bus or car, about 20–30 min | 30–40 min |
| Saint-Jean-de-Luz | Bus or car, about 15 min | 20–30 min |
| Sare | Car, about 25 min | 35–45 min |
Sleep
- Village centre
- Close to restaurants, the pelota wall and bus stops.
- Beach area (Plage du Centre / Parlementia)
- Closer to the coast and surf; more campsites and holiday rentals.
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Hello | Bonjourbohn-zhoor |
| Thank you | Mercimair-see |
| How much is it? | Combien ça coûte ?kom-byen sa koot |
| Can I pay by card? | Je peux payer par carte ?zhuh puh pay-yay par kart |
| Where is the beach? | Où est la plage ?oo ay la plahzh |
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
- Parking fills up on summer weekends; arrive early or park at the outskirts.
- Riptides on the beaches: swim only in flagged areas.
- Many restaurants close on Sunday evenings and Monday (check).
Bidart is a safe coastal town. The main risks are riptides on the beaches and summer crowds. Watch your belongings on the beach and lock your car.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Bidart yet. Suggested stay: 1 night. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Sainte-Madeleine chapel viewpoint
- Six beaches and surf breaks
- Bassilour mill and Basque cake
- Coastal hiking path (sentier du littoral)
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Wikivoyage: Bidart, revision 5045882 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=5045882
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Printed from Voykit (/bidart). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.