Bidarray
Commune in Nouvelle-Aquitaine, France
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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 | |
|---|---|
 | |
 Coat of arms | |
 Location of Bidarray | |
  Bidarray  Bidarray | |
| Coordinates: 43°16′03″N 1°20′38″W | |
| Country | France |
| Region | Nouvelle-Aquitaine |
| Department | Pyrénées-Atlantiques |
| Arrondissement | Bayonne |
| Canton | Montagne Basque |
| Intercommunality | CA Pays Basque |
| Government | |
| • Mayor (2020–2026) | Jean-Michel Anchordoquy[1] |
Area 1 | 38.20 km2 (14.75 sq mi) |
| Population (2023)[2] | 693 |
| • Density | 18.1/km2 (47.0/sq mi) |
| Time zone | UTC+01:00 (CET) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+02:00 (CEST) |
| INSEE/Postal code | 64124 /64780 |
| Elevation | 61–935 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
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.
