Bayonne (Aquitaine) Pop: 44,000

Bayonne, at the junction of the rivers Adour and Nive, is a busy commercial town, with a long history.

The bayonet (lovely thought there) was invented here and Bayonne is equally famous for its chocolate. In addition to French, the residents speak Euskara, the patois of the Basque region and reputedly the oldest of the European continental languages.

Attractions in Bayonne

Bonnat Museum-art works

Fetes de Bayonne-various festive activities, including bullfighting, every August

Chocolate shops

Jambon de Bayonne-proscuitto style ham touted throughout the region

Cathedral Sainte-Marie-original construction dates to the medieval period and contains 130 gothic cellars

Katie Daly's Irish Pub