Many of the larger towns have their museums, often dedicated to local events and culture. However their opening times and days can be a little haphazard and the smaller ones often only open their doors during the peak summer months. And most of them will be shut during the sacred lunch hour(s).
Bayonne. Large city and port on the mouth of the Adour
Musée Bonnat. Paintings, drawings and sculptures including works by Rubens, Gréco, Degas, Titien, Raphaël and Watteau. Open all the year round; closed Tuesdays and holidays.
Biarritz. Major tourist centre on the Basque coast with English connections
Historical Museum. Photographs, books, costumes and docments on the events, the inhabitants and the history of the town. Open all the year round. Closed Thursdays and Sundays.
Maritime museum and Aquarium. The Aquarium includes examples of sea-life from the Bay of Biscay, while the museum records the maritime life of the town. Open all the year round, and even through the lunch hour during summer - and in the evenings from July 14 to the end of August.
Ecomuseum of fishing and the sea. A small museum tells the story of fishing at Capbreton from the 10th century, together with fossils and an aquarium of local sea-life.
Museum of Armagnac. An interesting collection of old wine-making materials including an 18 ton press and an 18 litre bottle. Open mid-June to end of September, visits out of season by appointment only
Dax. One of France's most important spa towns, dating from Roman times
Museum of Borda. A good local museum with interesting displays on the history of the area from prehistoric times onwards.
Laàs. Small but dynamic village on the Gave d'Oloron
Museum de Maïs. Corn, or maize, is the dominant crop of the area - mainly for animals and especially the ducks and geese so do not expect to see much corn on the cob. The museum records the history of this important part of the local culture.
Grevin Museum. Local history including a wax-works exhibition. Open all the year round: every day from April to October, the afternoons of weekends and school holidays outside this period.
Saint Palais. Important agricultural town in the Pays Basque
The Museum of the Basse Navarre and St Jacques de Compostelle. Local history. Open all the year round, closed Sundays and holidays except in July and August.
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