Bidarray (French pronunciation: [bidaʁaj]; Basque: Bidarrai)[3] is a commune of the Pyrénées-Atlantiques department in southwestern France.[4] It is located in the former province of Lower Navarre.[3] Bidarray-Pont-Noblia station has rail connections to Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port, Cambo-les-Bains and Bayonne.

Bidarray
Bidarrai
Basque pelota
Coat of arms of Bidarray
Location of Bidarray
Map
Bidarray is located in France
Bidarray
Bidarray
Bidarray is located in Nouvelle-Aquitaine
Bidarray
Bidarray
Coordinates: 43°16′03″N 1°20′38″W / 43.2675°N 1.3438°W / 43.2675; -1.3438
CountryFrance
RegionNouvelle-Aquitaine
DepartmentPyrénées-Atlantiques
ArrondissementBayonne
CantonMontagne Basque
IntercommunalityCA Pays Basque
Government
 • Mayor (2020–2026) Jean-Michel Anchordoquy[1]
Area
1
38.20 km2 (14.75 sq mi)
Population
 (2021)[2]
657
 • Density17/km2 (45/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+01:00 (CET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+02:00 (CEST)
INSEE/Postal code
64124 /64780
Elevation61–935 m (200–3,068 ft)
(avg. 120 m or 390 ft)
1 French Land Register data, which excludes lakes, ponds, glaciers > 1 km2 (0.386 sq mi or 247 acres) and river estuaries.

Located here is the Noblia bridge, a Roman bridge that spans the Nive. According to legend it was built by the Laminak or Sorginak (witches) in one night, earning it the nickname "the Bridge of Hell".

Economy edit

The municipality is part of the production area for the Irouléguy vineyards. The activity is mainly agricultural. Bidarray is also part of the designation area for Ossau-Iraty cheese.

The purity of the waters of the Nive River has enabled the establishment of a fish farming activity. The river also allows for the practice of whitewater sports such as kayaking or rafting. A base has been established in the commune since 1991. Navigation is of moderate difficulty because most of its course consists of a succession of rapids and flat water stretches.

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ "Répertoire national des élus: les maires" (in French). data.gouv.fr, Plateforme ouverte des données publiques françaises. 4 May 2022.
  2. ^ "Populations légales 2021". The National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies. 28 December 2023.
  3. ^ a b BIDARRAI, Auñamendi Eusko Entziklopedia (in Spanish)
  4. ^ INSEE commune file