Finding property in Pyrénées-Atlantiques, Aquitaine

This department is dominated by the western end of the Pyrenees range and by Basque language and idealogy. First and foremost it is part of the Pays Basque, though the big resorts crowding along the extreme tip of the Atlantic coast, Anglet, Biarritz and St Jean de Luz, are among the most fashionable in France. The extravagant mountain scenery and strong local traditions make for a fascinating area - quite unique even by Aquitaine standards.

Property in and around Pau

Set against a mountain backdrop, this historic town was a favourite gathering place for the English gentry throughout the 19th century. Having recovered from that experience, Pau has become a dynamic commercial and intellectual centre.

Property in and around Oloron-Ste-Marie

The principal town of the Upper Béarn with industrial rather than touristic leanings. Well up into the foothills of the Pyrenees.

Property in and around Orthez

The pastoral countryside of Béarn region is well worth a look for houses for sale and Orthez makes a good base camp.

Property in and around Bayonne

A gutsy town that hosts the wildest street party in France. Over a million revellers spend a few days and nights of reckless abandon every summer - not for the faint-hearted.

Property in and around Anglet and Biarritz

A glitzy resorts that positively ooze old-style celebrity and offer some of the priciest real estate for sale in Aquitaine.

Property in and around St Jean de Luz

A pretty posh tourist resort that still retains a busy tuna-fishing port. Price-point heavily influenced by wealthy neighbours up the coast.

Travel

• Motorways - A63 into Spain or north to Bordeaux ; A64 to Toulouse and the Mediterranean.
• TGV - from the coastal resorts and from Pau to Bordeaux and Paris.
• Other trains - from Bayonne/Biarritz to Madrid.

Key facts

• Land area: 7,645km2
• Population: 625,000
• Préfecture: Pau
• Sous-préfectures: Bayonne, Oloron-Ste-Marie
• Economy: tourism, petro-chemical, agro-industrial, electronics, high-tech industrial.