The Tour de France peloton starts this Saturday from Bilbao, the main city of the Spanish Basque Country. For three days, he will travel the most beautiful roads of Euskadi. Varied landscapes, mild climate, thousand-year-old culture, exquisite gastronomy, the visitor is also guaranteed to experience intense and privileged moments.
Formerly an industrial power, Bilbao is today a historical reference. ©Tour de France / ASO
The Basque Country is spoiled this year since, between the south and the north, three stages are taking place there. Autonomous community of northern Spain, the Spanish Basque Country or Euskadi as they say there is located on the French border. Bathed by the Cantabrian Sea, its neighbors are Castile and León, Rioja and Cantabria. Four provinces make up the Spanish Basque Country : Biscay and its capital Bilbao, Alava and its capital Vitoria-Gasteiz, Guipuscoa and its capital San Sebastián, and finally Navarre and its capital Pamplona.
There is the blue of the sea but the color green is also essential everywhere in Euskadi. ©Tour de France – ASO
It seems the most beautiful coastline in Spain
Mountains, valleys, the blue of the sea. It is said to be the most beautiful coastline in Spain. You add to that a millennial culture and a very famous gastronomy, in short difficult to have more on such a reduced space.
It is in the late season that the Basque Country is most appreciated. Of course, there are fewer people. Summer plays extra time there, the colors are absolutely magnificent, the green and hilly landscapes and the temperature of the ocean is particularly mild.
The Guggenheim in Bilbao
The impressive architecture of the Guggenheim. ©Tour de France – ASO
Largest city in the region, Bilbao is best known for its contemporary art museum, the Guggenheim which attracts visitors from all over the world every day who come to admire its sublime metallic architecture and unique exhibitions. Built between 1993 and 1997 by the North American architect Frank Gehry, the building, which is already a work in itself, has made Bilbao world famous.
When you are in Bilbao, take the opportunity to go for a walk in its historic center. It is teeming with life and architectural influences that are definitely worth a look. Sports fans, if you can, go to San Mames stadium. It is the one where Athletic Bilbao, the oldest football club in Spain, is celebrating its 125th anniversary this year. The Tour de France is blowing out its 120 candles.
Close to France, San Sebastian
City with three beaches, San Sebastian also has magnificent monuments such as the theater here. ©Getty Images – iStockphoto
Another city in the Basque Country honored during this Tour, San Sebastian (or San Sebastian) which moreover hosted the Grand Départ of the race 31 years ago with the prologue won by the Spaniard Miguel Indurain, five-time Tour winner.
We are not going to dwell on San Sebastian, but it is the nearest large city to the French border, less than 30 minutes away. The “place to be” for tapas, party, beach and heritage lovers. After a bathing session on Las Conchas beach, do not hesitate to walk the winding streets of the old town to taste the best tapas in the region. With a glass of sangria or a cold cerveza, it goes very well. In moderation of course.
The summer party in Amorebieta-Etxano
©Tour de France – ASO
Finally, the Spanish Basque Country will have the chance to be the start of a third stage, with Amorebieta-Etxano on Monday 3 July. Amorebieta-Etxano is surrounded by the Bizkargi and Urrimendi mountains. Another postcard landscape.
We do not forget the festive aspect. Amorebieta-Etxano organizes many parties throughout the year. The most important are those of Carmen, in July. Finally there, there is a specialty, the Zurrukutuna. It is the Basque version of the garlic soup, which is decorated with cod, peppers, eggs and accompanied by the traditional Basque bread, the sopako.
Spanish Basque Country, the ten essentials
Bilbao.San Sebastian.Vitoria-Gasteiz.The Assembly House of Gernika.The suspension bridge of Vizcaya.The Hermitage of San Juan de Gaztelugatxe.Audaibai Biosphere Reserve.Cristobal Balenciaga Museum.Sanctuary of Loyola.Laguardia.
Spanish Basque Country, ten original experiences
Zumaia beach. ©Tour de France – ASOLBasque pelota and the sea.Txakoli and Idiazabal cheese pairing with Goierri.Family visit to the Valdemar cellars in Oyon.Shepherd for a day in Urkiola.Rib of beef and pediment in Donostialdea.The Flysch route in Zumaia .A pinch of salt in the Salt Valley.Navigation on the Urdaibai estuary.Cider and the sea, lunch in a cider house from San Sebastian.Traditional Basque cooking workshop in Pasai Donibane.
