Discover Bilbao through a unique perspective: a guided tour in French led by a historian, official tourist guide, and art history professor. From its origins in 1300 to industrialisation and its recent transformation, you will understand the major stages that have shaped the city – and why it has become one of the most striking examples of urban renewal in Europe.
The tour passes through Old Bilbao, the city centre, and the areas that have undergone the most recent transformations. As an official guide, your guide can, when possible, also comment on certain places from inside historic buildings. The tour's central theme: the ties forged over centuries between Bilbao and France, through architects, artists, and historical events.
You will go in search of French influences in the city: contemporary creations (such as works by Daniel Buren or Louise Bourgeois) but also architectural heritage, notably Art Nouveau linked to Jean‑Baptiste Darroquy (Saint‑Jean‑de‑Luz) or Paul Hankar, as well as French influences at the Arriaga Theatre and the Palais de Saint‑Nicolas. You will also learn about the “afrancesados” of Bilbao, the storey of Rafael Padilla “Monsieur Chocolat”, the exile in France of Miguel de Unamuno (Paris and Hendaye), and the landmarks that help you better understand the role of the Guggenheim Museum in the city's transformation.
Beyond the monuments, this tour offers an immersion in local life: markets, squares, cultural centers, and museums, with practical tips to fully enjoy Bilbao and the Basque Country. The tour normally ends, if the tavern is open, with a drink at the San Mamés stadium, “The Cathedral” for the people of Bilbao, to talk about the club and its links with figures from French football.
