Bayon is a city at the mouth of the Adour River to the Bay of Biscay. It is located in the French part of the Basque Country and has been an important trading port since Roman times. Its most important monument is the Gothic cathedral, and in the Old Town, especially along the river, you can see historic tenement houses.
In Roman times there was a Lapurdum fort in the place of the city, and from the 8th century the stronghold was the seat of a bishopric. In the 13th century, a cathedral in Bayonnie was built with the cathedral's monastery. The old town stretches around it, and reminds of the defensive traditions of the city reminiscent of the Old Castle and the 17th century fortifications of the citadel.
The main meeting place and center of Bajonna's social life is Rue d'Espagne with buildings from the 18th and 19th centuries. You can relax from the hustle and bustle in the local botanical garden. Another popular attraction is the Ferris Wheel, which is the symbol of the city, standing at the mouth of the Nive to Adour.
Bajonna is an important cultural center, which was largely influenced by the Basque traditions and proximity to the Spanish border. There is the Basque Museum and the Bayonne History Museum, which presents collections about the history of the region and its inhabitants. There is also the Bonnat-Helleu Museum with a collection of French art from different periods and the Bajon Ham Museum showing the traditions associated with the production of this local delicacy.
