Another day-trip worthy destination is the Basque village of Saint-Jean Pied de Port. Located at the foot of the Pyrenees Mountains (a one-hour drive from Biarritz) at an elevation of 1,300 meters, the town was a medieval pilgrimage stop on the Way of Saint James route to Santiago de Compostela in Spain and was considered one of the most difficult stages of the pilgrims' journey.
Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the old quarter has charming cobblestone streets and a noteworthy 13th-century church—the Eglise Notre-Dame du Bout du Pont.
Many modern pilgrims still begin their Camino de Santiago pilgrimage journey here. The pristine countryside around the village is also a fantastic place for hiking and nature walks or just for relaxing and meditating in the lush landscape. In August, the town hosts a traditional summertime Basque festival with dance and music performances.
