What to visit during a stay in Saint-Jean-de-Luz? Here are the 11 things to do in this pretty town of the Basque coast!
A few kilometers from the Spanish border, the seaside resort of Saint-Jean-de-Luz is one of the flagship cities of the Basque Country. Less groubling than his neighbor Biarritz, visiting Saint-Jean-de-Luz remains a nice getaway. You will be charmed by its authentic fishing port and the city that animates every day of the year.
Also enjoy this ease of passing from the sea to the city in a few minutes’ walk, this festive and jovial atmosphere of the South-West and its gift of the nature that is its magnificent bay from which the tip Sainte-Barbe and the fort of Socoa face. If you are looking for a place to rest, forget the daily life or find a smile, Saint-Jean-de-Luz is made for you!
So how to visit Saint-Jean-de-Luz? Here are the 12 things to do in Saint-Jean-de-Luz!
1. Pointe Sainte-Barbe
Photo credit: Shutterstock – Mike_O
Among the things to do in Saint-Jean-de-Luz, the Pointe Sainte-Barbe, located at one of the two ends of the bay, offers a splendid view of the jewels of the Basque coast. At a glance, you can see the beach, the houses, the dam and the fort of Socoa, the cliffs and the mountains!
This is the ideal place for a picnic and a walk along the coast. The days when the sea goes off, the show is guaranteed for memories full of the head.
2. Fort of Socoa
Photo credit: Shutterstock – Endla
On the other end of the bay is the Socoa Fort, one of the main visits to Saint-Jean-de-Luz. This fort is the whole story of the Franco-Spanish rivalry for the city. Its construction bears the mark of battles between the two kingdoms to finally end with a French victory.
Strengthened by Vauban In the 17th century, the fort has not changed since. He is visiting from Ciboure and the places offer a beautiful military heritage. We also appreciate the view of the dike of Artha, the bay of Saint-Jean-de-Luz and the point of Sainte-Barbe.
3. Local gastronomy
The famous Kanouga de la Maison Pariès Photo credit: Facebook – Maison Pariès
Visiting Saint-Jean-de-Luz is also discovering the culinary specialties of the city. First of all, we find the line peach whose fishing has always been artisanal and responsible.
But it is the sweets that make the city famous with Mr. Adam's macarons, existing since 1660 (!) and whose recipe is transmitted from generation to generation. After these first delicacies, taste the mochous and the kanougas of Pariès, and your taste buds will immerse themselves in Luzian specialties!
4. Maison Louis XIV
Photo credit: Wikipedia – Jean-Christophe BENOIST
Among the must-sees in Saint-Jean-de-Luz, you did not imagine falling on a royal residence. Built in 1643, this beautiful house welcomed the young Louis XIV during his marriage to the Infant of Spain, Marie-Thérèse.
For the anecdote, the places have always been inhabited by the same family since its construction! Nevertheless, it remains open to the visit and it is a dive back through beautiful furniture and antique paintings.
5. Joanoenia (Infante House)
Photo credit: Wikipedia – Calips
If Louis XIV had his own home, it would have been unpleasant that the Infante did not have his own! Not only does this house exist but it is even more imposing than that of the Sun King!
Habited by Marie-Thérèse at the same time as Louis XIV, the house and its façade are classified as Historical Monuments. We appreciate his situation in front of the port that gives him a particular charm.
6. Saint John the Baptist Church
Photo credit: Shutterstock – EQRoy
It was difficult to imagine that visiting Saint-Jean-de-Luz was such an important part of the life of the Sun King. Yet, after Versailles, it was the Basque city that marked its most existence. And it was in the beautiful church of the city that her marriage with Marie-Thérèse was celebrated on June 9, 1660.
In addition to royal marriage, the places are famous by the magnificent altarpiece at the bottom of the apse. This golden wood sculpture represents statues of saints and saints, allegories and many other Bible characters. A work of art that we don’t want to admire.
7. Walk in the city center
Photo credit: Shutterstock – Sergio Rojo
You can't visit Saint-Jean-de-Luz without passing through its historic centre. With its half-timbered houses and narrow alleys, it is a beautiful walk to be done at the end of the day in summer and at any other time the rest of the year.
It is of course in the centre that you can enjoy the famous pastries of the Adam House or Pariès.
8. Walk to the port
Photo credit: Shutterstock – Jon Chica
The other walk in Saint-Jean-de-Luz is along the port. A place that has kept its authenticity of fishing port of old and whose specialty remains the merlu de ligne.
It is a pleasant place to breathe the air, take a drink or eat on the terrace. It is also at the port that the main animations take place in summer and Casetas.
9. Botanical garden
Photo credit: Facebook – Ville de Saint-Jean-de-Luz
For young and old, the botanical garden of Saint-Jean-de-Luz remains a beautiful discovery and a beautiful moment of escape through the plants of the Basque Country and elsewhere. Located on a hill, north of the Pointe Sainte-Barbe, the garden is a nice place to finish a walk along the coast and admire the view on the bay.
The plants are grouped into themes, including the five continents, a labyrinth of botanical families or the gardening techniques used that are environmentally friendly. The enthusiasts will be at the angels and the others will be happy to discover the botany in such a beautiful landscape.
10. The beach
Photo credit: Shutterstock – Lamax
Visit Saint-Jean-de-Luz without going through its beach, it’s like going to the Louvre without taking a look at La Joconde! With this bay in the shape of a bowl, the beach of Saint-Jean-de-Luz is surrounded by the farmland and offers a framework of swimming in France.
In six, the beaches of the seaside resort are both sand and pebble, allowing everyone to choose their preference. Of course, we are in the South-West and the surfers will be happy to rub themselves to the pleasure of slipping on the beautiful waves of the region. Finally, the water temperature is generally significant in the summer!
11. A boat ride
Photo credit: Shutterstock – Dariya92300
Once the tour of the beaches of Saint-Jean-de-Luz is done, another must-have: the boat ride! Indeed, renting a boat in Saint-Jean-de-Luz , you offer you the opportunity to discover the wonders of the Basque Country while avoiding the tourist hustle. For example, you can take a walk along the Basque cornice, go to the recontre des cétacés but also go for a cruise to Spain.
If you do not have the boat permit, you can use the services of a skipper who will unveil the most beautiful corners of the area throughout the tour. With a bit of luck, you can even enjoy it to swim in the heart of magical places, the time of an unforgettable day with your loved ones.
Find a boat for rent in Saint-Jean-de-Luz
12. Casetas de Saint-Jean-de-Luz
Photo credit: Facebook – Ville de Saint-Jean-de-Luz
The Casetas is not the soul of the city. Each year, on the weekend of Pentecost, the Sevillan schools of the seaside resort, hence the official name of Andalusian festival, present the cultural riches of Andalusia for four days.
The Mass of the church of Saint-Jean-Baptiste, the performances and courses of flamenco, the stands of restoration and numerous animations that put the city in a glimpse and which drunk until the end of the night. Casetas are the time when the Luzians gather together and show their pride in belonging to this community.
How to get to Saint-Jean-de-Luz?
By plane
Saint-Jean-de-Luz is a 20-minute drive from the airport Biarritz . Only served by Paris and Lyon In the low season, it is accessible from many French cities in the summer season.
Do not hesitate to consult a flight comparison as Ulysses to find the right combination.
By train
Saint-Jean-de-Luz train station – Ciboure is located on the line Paris – Irun, in Spain , via Bordeaux . It is served several times daily by TGV from the capital and TER from Bordeaux.
The duration of the trip between Paris and Saint-Jean-de-Luz is 4:30 for what constitutes a more ecological alternative to the plane.
By bus
In recent years, the bus has become a safe and very cheap means of transport. If you have (many!) time in front of you and leave the comfort aside for a few hours, the bus is made for you.
By car
From Paris, it is very easy to get to Saint-Jean-de-Luz by highway, via the A10 and A63 , passing through Orléans, Tours, Poitiers and Bordeaux. The duration of the trip is about 7:30 am and the cost of toll is around 38€ .
From Lyon, to Clermont-Ferrand and Périgueux via the highways A89 and A86 , the duration of travel and the cost of toll are identical in Paris.
From Marseille , passing through Montpellier and Toulouse via highways A54 , A9 and A64 the trip lasts less than 7 hours. On the other hand, the cost of double toll, going to about 75€ .
Where to stay in Saint-Jean-de-Luz?
Saint-Jean-de-Luz being a small town, the offer is mainly limited to three possibilities.
The first is to book a hotel room or a beachfront apartment to be close to the ocean. The second is to find the same type of accommodation in downtown, to be close to the areas of interest. Finally, the third option is to stay in a pretty villa outside the city and in the countryside, ideal if you are numerous and vehiculated.
To find your accommodation, do not hesitate to consult a hotel comparison or Airbnb to experience a more authentic experience.
Now that you know what to visit, pack your bags and go to Saint-Jean-de-Juz!
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