If you've spent a few days getting body-beautiful down in San Sebastian or nearby Biarritz, why not go and undo all that good work with a trip to Bayonne!
Bayonne prides itself on ham and chocolate, which for aficionados around these parts have one ingredient in common - Piment d'Espelette
Its chocolate heritage is thanks, in large part, to exiled Sephardic Jews who after having been expelled from the Iberian Peninsular, developed an expertise in turning raw cocoa from the New World into delicious chocolate. L'Atelier du Chocolat has a museum with tasting aplenty. There's also a “Chocolate Days” festival (Ascension weekend, end of May/early June).
For ham fanciers, La Foire au Jambon in April is a must, or at other times of the year, the Halles will keep your tummy happy.
Bayonne has an annual festival, the Fêtes de Bayonne, which, like Pamplona, includes a bull run.
Highlights
Station stroll ideas
If you have an hour or two to spare waiting for a train, why not go for a wander?
Tourist info provide a brochure and an interactive map, which wasn't working last time I tried to use it.
I've also made a downloadable PDF of some walks you can do from the station along with an accompanying google map which will give you a feel for the place and take in the sights.
Guided tours
For guided tours in English, check out the details here.
Luggage
If you want to stroll without a care in the world, including your luggage, you could try using the nannybag app to find a place that will take your bags.
Getting there
Direct TGVs take 1 3⁄4 hours from Bordeaux and 4 hours from Paris.
From San Sebastian, you could go by train to Hedaye and change onto a Euskotren, which you catch from just outside the train station. There are also cheap comfortable direct buses - see https://alsa.com
Useful links
Tourist info: https://www.visitbayonne.com/
Where next?
How about San Sebastian, Saint Jean Pied-de-Port or Lourdes?