Discover Bilbao from a unique perspective: a guided tour in French led by a historian, official tour guide and art history professor.
Normally, groups are limited to two or four people.
From its origins in 1300 to industrialization, and then to its recent transformation, you will learn about the major stages that have shaped the city – and why it has become one of Europe's most striking examples of urban renewal.
The tour takes you through Old Bilbao, the city center, and the areas that have undergone recent transformations. As an official guide, your tour leader can also, when possible, provide commentary on certain places from inside historic buildings. The common thread of the tour: the ties forged over centuries between Bilbao and France, through architects, artists, and historical events.
You will set out in search of French influences in the city: contemporary creations (such as works by Daniel Buren or Louise Bourgeois), but also architectural heritage, particularly Art Nouveau linked to Jean-Baptiste Darroquy (Saint-Jean-de-Luz) or Paul Hankar, as well as French influences at the Arriaga Theater and the Palacio de San Nicolás. You will also learn about the “afrancesados” (pro-French) Bilbao residents, the story of Rafael Padilla, “Monsieur Chocolat,” the exile in France of Miguel de Unamuno (Paris and Hendaye), and the key points that help to better understand the arrival of the Guggenheim Museum in the city's transformation process.
Beyond the monuments, this tour offers an immersion in local life: markets, squares, cultural centers and museums, with practical tips for making the most of Bilbao and the Basque Country. Normally, if the tavern is open, the tour ends with a drink at the San Mamés stadium, “The Cathedral” for the people of Bilbao, to talk about the club and its connections with figures from French football.
It is also possible, outside the program, to have lunch at the San Mamés stadium around 1:30 p.m. It is not included in the tour itinerary. If you wish, we can reserve a table for you for that day (menu: approximately €20; approximately €30 on weekends; à la carte dishes also available). This restaurant is closed on football match days and on certain other days.
