MSFS scenery

MSFS Bayonne/Biarritz Photogrammetry Scenery

Bayonne and Biarritz come alive with detailed coastal and urban photogrammetry that adds convincing depth, color, and landmark definition for low-and-slow sightseeing or approach practice in Microsoft Flight Simulator. Built from Google Maps 3D data via Google Earth Decoder, it also uses the EDHK Lights & Objects Developers Pack for extra scene elements.

5/5 (1) 397 downloads 2.73 GB Scanned clean

France

Flight Simulator 2020 Flight Simulator 2024

Images & Screenshots

23 total

A small black aircraft with red accents flies over a dense cityscape of red-tiled rooftops and a winding river with bridges.

A star-shaped fortress with grassy ramparts sits beside a river, surrounded by dense trees and urban neighborhoods with red-roofed buildings.

A wide aerial view shows a winding river running through a densely built city with red-roofed buildings and several bridges.

A large sports complex with multiple fields, tennis courts, and parking lots is surrounded by dense residential housing and tree-lined streets.

A walled historic city with dense buildings sits beside a winding river, with multiple bridges and tree-lined roads crossing the water.

Aerial view shows a dense cityscape with red-tiled rooftops, a central cathedral, and a river curving through the landscape at sunset.

A large illuminated sports stadium with two adjacent fields is surrounded by city streets, residential buildings, and dense nighttime lighting.

A coastal city with densely packed buildings featuring red-tiled roofs sits beside calm water under a clear sky at sunset.

A cockpit view shows analog instruments and a digital map display while flying over a city with red-roofed buildings and winding rivers.

A detailed aerial view shows a historic city center with red-roofed buildings, a large cathedral with twin spires, and a winding river.

A large circular stadium is surrounded by residential houses with red roofs and several high-rise apartment buildings at sunset.

A high-altitude view shows a densely built city with a river, a visible airport runway, scattered clouds, and surrounding green countryside.

A coastal cityscape at sunset features a prominent lighthouse on a rocky peninsula, with calm water and scattered clouds in the background.

A high-wing single-engine aircraft flies above a densely packed European city with red rooftops and a prominent river running through it.

A coastal city with densely packed buildings sits beside greenish ocean waters under a sky filled with dramatic, layered clouds.

A small single-engine aircraft flies above a coastal city with a prominent white lighthouse and steep cliffs overlooking the water.

A small aircraft flies above a coastal city with densely packed buildings, while a large cruise ship sails near the shoreline.

A small black and red amphibious aircraft flies above a densely built coastal city at sunset with calm water and scattered clouds.

A coastal city with densely packed buildings and red rooftops borders a calm bay dotted with small rocky islets and gentle waves.

A coastal city at dusk features illuminated buildings along the shoreline, with a prominent lighthouse casting a bright beam over the water.

A wing and engine nacelle are visible from the cockpit as the aircraft flies above coastal cliffs lined with houses and greenery.

A pilot wearing a blue headset looks down at a coastal town through the cockpit window, with avionics displays visible on the right.

A coastal city at night features illuminated historic buildings, glowing streetlights, and reflections of bright lights on the calm sea.

Editor reviewed · Tested in-sim

Expert Overview

This high-resolution photogrammetry mod brings the coastal cities of Bayonne and Biarritz to life in Microsoft Flight Simulator, offering an immersive blend of urban landscapes, rich cultural landmarks, and scenic coastlines. By leveraging Google Earth Decoder with the EDHK Lights & Objects Developers Pack, the add-on ensures detailed, realistic 3D environments and vivid color accuracy that enhance any virtual flight above southwest France.

Continual updates have refined its visual fidelity through improved colorimetry, removal of stray vegetation, and resolution of terrain anomalies near the airport. As someone who has tested it extensively, I find its seamless integration and stunning realism a standout among freeware offerings. The careful attention to detail makes this mod an essential addition for those seeking a truly authentic flying experience over these historic French locales.

Introducing a meticulously crafted scenery mod for Microsoft Flight Simulator, featuring the picturesque regions of Bayonne and Biarritz. This freeware enhancement is designed to elevate your virtual flight experience by integrating high-resolution, three-dimensional photogrammetry data directly from Google Maps.

Scenery Overview

Geographic span: Encompasses the cities of Bayonne and Biarritz located at GPS coordinates 43°29?24?N, 1°28?48?W.
Scenery type: High-fidelity photogrammetry data ensures an immersive, true-to-life flying experience over these historic cities.
Development credits: Utilizes Google Earth Decoder technology for realistic 3D renderings, with enhancements provided by the EDHK Lights & Objects Developers Pack.

Version Updates

Since its initial release, the scenery package has undergone several enhancements:

v1.1: Improved colorimetry for more vivid visuals.
v1.2 to v1.4: Continuous improvements by removing extraneous vegetation, enhancing the natural coastal landscapes.
v1.5: Correction of a terrain anomaly near the airport, enhancing both aesthetics and usability.

Technical Insight: Photogrammetry in Simulation

Photogrammetry in flight simulation involves capturing real-world environments using photography and scanning techniques to create detailed and accurate 3D models. These models are then integrated into simulation platforms, providing pilots with an environment that mirrors the real world in remarkable detail and accuracy. This technique significantly enhances the realism of the simulator, providing users with an unparalleled immersive experience.

Nearby Airports

To fully enjoy this scenic mod, here are a few airports within the vicinity you might consider starting or concluding your flights:

Biarritz Airport (BIQ): Located just minutes away from Biarritz, this airport offers a perfect gateway to explore the Bayonne region.
San Sebastián Airport (EAS): Situated across the border in Spain, it provides an interesting international flight option.
Pau Pyrénées Airport (PUF): Offers a scenic approach through the foothills of the Pyrenees, adding a challenging yet beautiful aspect to your flight simulation.

Explore Real-World Connections

The Bayonne and Biarritz regions, steeped in rich history and cultural heritage, offer a vibrant backdrop to this virtual scenery. From the renowned Biarritz beaches to the historical significance of Bayonne's old town, pilots can experience a slice of southwest France's charm, all from the comfort of their cockpit.

Installation

Simply extract the archive and copy the two folders, thalixte-bayonne and thalixte-biarritz into your MSFS community folder.

Ready to download Bayonne/Biarritz Photogrammetry Scenery?

Free for all simmers · 2.73 GB · Scanned clean

File information

Filename

bayonne-biarritz-photo-msfs.zip

File size

2.73 GB

Virus scan

Clean (scanned with ClamAV)

Access

Freeware

Content rating

Everyone

Download speed: Free tier is capped at 2 Mbps (this file takes approximately 3h 15m at the cap). PRO members download at full line speed.

This is a freeware file — use is subject to our freeware copyright terms.

How to install this mod

MSFS scenery

Extract the downloaded archive

Use 7-Zip (free) or WinRAR to extract the ZIP to a temporary folder. Don't install while still zipped — the simulator can't read inside ZIP files.
Locate your MSFS Community folder

All MSFS add-ons live in the Community folder. Microsoft Store / Game Pass version: %LOCALAPPDATA%\Packages\Microsoft.FlightSimulator_8wekyb3d8bbwe\LocalCache\Packages\Community\. Steam version: %APPDATA%\Microsoft Flight Simulator\Packages\Community\. Tip: enable Developer Mode in MSFS to see your exact Community folder path.
Copy the scenery package into Community

Drag the extracted scenery folder into your Community folder. Photogrammetry and large mesh packs can be 1GB+ — ensure you have disk space.
Restart MSFS

Close MSFS completely and relaunch. The new content appears in the Content Manager, on the World Map, or in the aircraft/livery selector.
Always read the included readme

Every mod ships with a readme.txt or README file. It tells you exactly where files go, what dependencies are needed, and any quirks specific to this add-on.

Finding the scenery

Use these coordinates to fly directly to this location once the mod is installed.

MSFS format (paste into search bar)

43.49294900,-1.47484100

Decimal degrees

43.492949°, -1.474841°

Degrees, minutes, seconds

43° 29' 34.616" N 1° 28' 29.428" W

Paste these coordinates into the Microsoft Flight Simulator search bar when planning a flight, or into the Developer Mode Teleport window, to fly directly to this location.

About the developer

Thalixte

Thalixte is a developer that has focused on creating photogrammetry and scenery packs for the latest Microsoft Flight Simulator (MSFS) 2020 release. All of this developer's releases have received fantastic feedback from many users on various flight sim websites including Fly Away Simulation.

Based in France, the developer tends to focus on creation of European packs however some "further afield" packs have also been created.

Enjoyed this mod? Thalixte released it as freeware. Consider donating to support future projects.