Bayonne, the capital of the region, is famous, amongst other things, for it's chocolate, for the excellent museum of art, the summer festival and for the invention of the bayonet. There is much to see and discover and the old town is delightful - the free bus ride on the 'navette' from the out of town parking is a tourist attraction in its own right. There are lots of ancient buildings maintained in an excellent state of repair and many are still used as retail premises. The Tourist Information Office runs city walking tours of varying lengths, all of which use excellent and knowledgeable guides.
		The city which lies at the junction of the rivers Adour and Nive, is a busy commercial town, with a rich historical and commercial past. Remnants of its Roman origins are still evident in the town. The riverside area has many interesting, narrow lanes and distinctive houses and river trips along the Adour river may be booked in advance from a pontoon on the SE river bank. There are lots of ancient buildings maintained in an excellent state of repair and many are still used as retail premises.
The magnificent 14th century gothic cathedral of Sainte-Marie is a landmark of the city. The vaulted ceiling and stained glass windows are well worth viewing and on 'open days' a walk around the cloisters will give the visitor a taste of the simple pleasures of the middle ages.		Adjacent to the cathedral and still in the town centre are the old ramparts and forts constructed by Vauban under Louis IV. Back at the river there are cafes and gardens along the south bank and many shop/boutiques. Finally, coffee outside the Mairie after shopping in the outdoor markets completes a wonderful day and allows the foot-weary to relax in style.