Greetings. Liz tells us that one option for a short tour from Biarritz could be to the small Basque coastal town of San Jean de Luz. [Still the option to San Sebastian--I'll work on that shortly.]

Here's what I've found, briefly:

"Saint-Jean-de-Luz is a fishing port on the Basque coast and now a famous resort, known for its architecture, sandy bay, the quality of the light and the cuisine. The town is located south of Biarritz, on the right bank of the river Nivelle (French for Urdazuri) opposite to Ciboure. The port lies on the estuary just before the river joins the ocean." --per our friends at Wikipedia.




Another site boasts about the food in San Jean de Luz:

"The chefs of St Jean de Luz are noted for their creativity and the town is the capital of Basque cuisine with seafood being a particular speciality – the town did after all thrive as a whaling and fishing community and these sea-faring roots are much evident today – St Jean de Luz remains France’s largest tuna port.There’s a good choice of eateries and Rue de la République is lined with seafood restaurants displaying their wares," and has a long list of "some of the better-known restaurants and pintxos (Basque tapas) bars." (scroll down that web page a bit).

The same page also notes:

"There are some pleasant coastal walks to enjoy either side of the bay. On the Socoa side of the bay you can walk out to the fort and breakwater to the lighthouse, then out along Rue du Sémaphore for excellent sea views – the view down the cliffs to the shore is not for the faint-hearted! On the north side of the bay is Pointe Ste-Barbe where there is a fine botanical garden on the cliff top.Parc Florenia (between St-Jean-de-Luz and Urrugne) is a delightful floral park and woodland, recommended to visitors who would appreciate botanical gardens."

bob