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Museum · Bayonne, Nova Aquitânia
Musée Basque et de l'histoire de Bayonne
The museum of Basque culture, in a late 16th-century house on the banks of the Nive: country life, games, dances, the Basque house and the history of the port of Bayonne.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
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About Musée Basque et de l'histoire de Bayonne
The Musée Basque et de l'histoire de Bayonne is housed in the Maison Dagourette, a bourgeois house from the late 16th century on the quai des Corsaires, in Petit Bayonne, protected as a historic monument. The museum opened in 1924 and reopened in 2001 after renovation, bearing the Musée de France label.
The collection, assembled largely in the early 20th century, tells the story of life in the French Basque Country: the tools and furniture of rural houses, animal husbandry and agriculture, clothing, games and dances, pelota and festivals, painting and Basque identity through the centuries. It is the best place to understand what you later see in the villages, from white painted timber houses to pelota frontons.
Part of the museum is devoted to the history of Bayonne as a port and trading city, where Basque, Gascon and Jewish cultures intersected. The gallery texts are in French, with some parts in Basque.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
About an hour and a half to two hours.
Best time
At any time of year, and even better on a rainy day. Go early in your trip to understand Basque culture before visiting the villages. The museum is closed some days of the week; check opening hours.
How to get there
It is located in Petit Bayonne, on the banks of the Nive, about a 5-minute walk from the cathedral (crossing the bridge), and roughly 10 minutes from the train station.
Tip
Combine it with the Musée Bonnat-Helleu, just a few steps away, or with a walk along the quays. If you don't read French, use your phone's translator for the gallery texts.
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Musée Basque et de l'histoire de Bayonne
What can you see at the Musée Basque de Bayonne?
The life and culture of the French Basque Country: country houses, tools, clothing, games such as pelota, dances, festivals and painting, as well as Bayonne's history as a port.
Where is the Musée Basque located?
On the quai des Corsaires, in Petit Bayonne, in a late 16th-century house on the banks of the Nive.
How long does a visit to the Musée Basque take?
About one and a half to two hours to see the rooms at a relaxed pace.