"Les Fêtes de Bayonne sont ouvertes !" : revivez le grand lancer des clés 2026

The 2026 edition has officially kicked off! 🔴 The keys to the city were thrown from the town hall balcony, officially opening the traditional Bayonne Festival. A moment steeped in history: more than twenty years after writing the text of "Prosei gascon" (Gascon Prose), the writer Sèrgi Javaloyès was present to share his words once again with the red and white-clad crowd. Then came the traditional and highly anticipated throwing of the keys. For this 2026 edition, three personalities took part: novelist Marie Darrieussecq, Michelin-starred chef Jean-Claude Tellechea (who returned to this balcony 30 years after first throwing the keys there), and Maya Lauqué, presenter of Télématin. Relive this powerful moment of emotion and unity that launches five days of festivities in the Basque Country. 🔴 To learn more: 🗞️ Don't miss any of the news from your region: discover our Sud Ouest subscription offers. 📲 Find all our reports, analyses, and features by subscribing to our Sud Ouest YouTube channel. #Bayonne #BayonneFestivals #BayonneFestivals2026 #BasqueCountry #Tradition #SouthWest #SouthWestVideo