http://freecountrymaps.com/map/towns/france/26691402/
Problems
1 What happens at the Dax festival?
2 What about the bull fight? Would I enjoy Dax, Bayonne and Biarritz even if I don't want to attend a bull fight?
Answers
1 MUSIC, SINGING AND DANCE
Yes, it's like a whole town costume party with everybody dressed in red and white. Bands come from all over Europe. There's singing, dancing and parades in the street. Finishing with fireworks.
2 BULL FIGHTING
It's worthwhile reading a researching about bull fighting. I now know the difference between a picador and a matador and a toreador. If I am indifferent to bull fights, or against bull fighting, or fearful and don't like blood, it's good to know about them without the travel, financial cost and guilt of actually attending.
I haven't attended a bull fight recently (not since I was taken as a teenager on a trip to Spain years ago). But I have just watched several videos and close up photos.
Research
I have spent several hours talking to and interviewing my nearest and dearest about Dax and bull fighting and music. I checked up on the internet on the technicalities. By the time I plan my next trip I shall have forgotten. So I need this post for my own records. What is useful to me, could also be useful to you.
Whilst watching the videos I tried to identify the music played during the opening ceremony for the bullfight from an ap on my phone. No luck. Next research will be the national anthems, popular songs, songs played at bull fights*, checking the music credits, if any, on the souvenir programme, plus national flags flown above the bull ring.
Memory Corner
My late parents had a flat in Marbella in Spain. We once drove across France literally with a kitchen sink from Wickes for them. We also drove to Portugal, staying at French chateaux hotel, Spanish Paradores, and Portuguese Pousadas.
On previous trips we have driven many times through France to Spain.
Driving through France, we stopped to see Biarritz. We clearly remember a stay a night at the Palace hotel. (When we were all in full time employment. Those were the days!)
On this trip the route was budget Ryan Air to Biarritz, then picked up by car from a British friend who lives in the area.
The Dax festival season is also British and French school holidays, so the Hotels in Dax are booked up and high prices, like 200 Euros for a bedroom. You can stay in a gîte or guest house out in the countryside if you have a car.
Fly on a cheap airline to Biarritz, a chic little place with a casino and grand Palace hotel.
Alternatively, as part of a grand tour starting at Paris, take the train to Dax and Bayonne.
What's in Bayonne? It is a city with a grand cathedral and with hotels, about an hour away. You will find it useful to have a car.
Getting Around Dax
Within Dax you have a shuttle bus known in French as a navette (think of the English word navigate). It may be about a Euro. Where do you get the ticket - on the bus or before? "I don't know. I walked!" The walk from the car park to the Arena with the bull fight takes about ten minutes.
Tips
To identify music from a holiday video:
Ap: Sound Hound
*See later post on the festival music.
Author
Angela Lansbury, travel writer and photographer, author and speaker. I have more posts on the sights and sounds in Dax. Please share links to your favourite posts.
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