Discover the animated film A fabulous turn westward
This year 2020, full of reflection and questioning, has had the merit of making me think a lot about the way we travel. And it has led us to a clear and simple conclusion: we tend to favour distant destinations too much, without being fully aware that our country still deserves our attention. It took a global pandemic to make us understand this? No, not necessarily, but is it really reasonable at this time to go so far away, it is not as if we were in a region of the world without interest from a tourist point of view!
5 Days / 4 Nights
Near. 780 Miles
So I’m heading to the South West of France to discover the Basque Country aboard the new electric Porsche. The Taycan is a real revolution for the Stuttgart firm. After my test drive of the Turbo S version (read my story), during a wander around Le Mans and at the Porsche Experience Center.
The 100% electric car I have in my hands is less powerful than the other two models but with a range of over 400 km, it is still a power monster. Visually, it’s a detail. The traditional “4S” logo replaces the “Turbo”, while the intensified red colour symbolises power, giving it an imperial stature.
With the smallest of batteries, the range is announced at 407 kilometres in the WLTP cycle, with a consumption of 24.6 kWh/100 km. With the longest battery, it climbs to 463 km WLTP, despite a higher energy demand (25.6 kWh/100 km). This is better than the Taycan Turbo and its 450 km. On the recharging side, on the other hand, while the 93.4 kWh pack keeps a peak at 270 kW, the 79.2 kWh pack drops to 225 kW. For a Paris Biarritz, I recharged the vehicle 3x.
Discovering the most beautiful roads along the Basque Coast
So in the end, it took me five long years to return to the Basque Country. This trip is written in order to rediscover differently the region, its magnificent beaches, its steep coasts and its mythical roads!
Ideally situated between mountains and ocean, the Basque Country is a region that also draws its charm from the beautiful roads and remarkable paths that litter this magnificent coast.
Where to sleep at Bordeaux?
Large historic city of Gascony, Bordeaux has inherited a rich heritage. Each of its districts has its own soul, just like its many hotels within the metropolis… Continue Reading
The journey begins in Bordeaux. You reach the city, without overlooking a certain “douceur de vivre” – and discover, as you stroll along the Place of the Comedie and the Grand Théâtre, the Place de la Bourse and the Fountain of the Three Graces, the Chartrons district and the alleys of Tourny.
There is something exciting about choosing a road trip close to the coast, and the road from Bordeaux to Biarritz is no exception. I continue my journey through the seaside town of Biarritz and embrace the Atlantic coast as you drive north, passing some of our most beautiful beaches on your way to Bordeaux. A word of advice for those travelling with children, the road from Biarritz to Bordeaux is best appreciated when divided into short journeys, giving you the opportunity to enjoy, one by one, all the coastal highlights. Don’t forget to make a few stops before arriving in Bordeaux… after all, who’s in a hurry?
I arrive to Biarritz to take advantage of the phenomenal atmosphere that reigns there even in times of confinement.
Where to sleep at Biarritz?
Sometimes you need to slow down, to take a break from the hectic everyday life. Take care of yourself to get off to a better start! This involves various activities such as reading, meditation, yoga, outdoor walks…. or why not a stay at the Sofitel Biarritz Le Miramar Thalassa sea & spa? Continue reading…
It is also an opportunity to admire the esplanade of the Lighthouse in the Halles district, the Imperial Chapel, the Museum of the Sea-Aquarium or the Asiatica Museum. The cuisine of these regions also reflects a mixture of influences. Basque flavours – Espelette chilli pepper, sheep’s milk cheese, ham – are complemented by recipes from the Landes and Bordeaux wines.
I advise you to stay a few nights at the Villa l’Arche, it is the opportunity to discover a superb hotel in Bidart. Its location is perfect and its garden sumptuous. In this white villa, so pretty it looks like it has just come out of a film, the days pass slowly and time stretches on forever.
The road continues between Bidart and Hendaye where the pretty coastal road for the discovery of a sumptuous decor, the result of a cohabitation between beaches and cliffs. I start from the beach of Erretegia, then I drive through a predominantly natural area with oceanic vegetation before continuing not far from the Bidasoa. With the silence that reigns. The journey takes on another dimension.
Large spaces and art of living
The Basque Coast, a territory with a strong identity. Hendaye, Saint-Jean-de-Luz, the cliffside towns follow one another. And with this desire to rediscover its lands of wild and singular beauty. The landscapes here are shaped by rare natural contrasts: the peaks of the Pyrenees stand facing the ocean, pine forests and sandy beaches stretch as far as the eye can see, oyster beds and the Dune du Pilat share the basin of Arcachon.
Throughout my journey there was a certain atmosphere of being at the end of the world thanks to the roads and the sumptuous landscapes that I travelled through.The sensations felt with the Porsche Taycan is synonymous with sportiness as with the thermal models, but the “silence” dimension brings new sensations. This unique sound takes all its meaning in wide open spaces like here… on the roads of the south-west.