France > France travel > Aquitaine > St-Jean de Luz
Saint-Jean-de-Luz and region
Saint Jean de Luz is in the south-west of France, on the coast near the border with Spain, about 20 kilometres south of Biarritz and Bayonne. It is in Basque country, close to the western end of the Pyrenees, and both hills and sea are close to hand
Saint Jean de Luz
St-Jean-de-Luz makes a good centre for a visit to this region. It is found 15km south of Biarritz, on the Basque coast near the border with Spain.
St-Jean-de-Luz is divided into two adjacent towns by the Nivelle River - St-Jean-de-Luz to the north of the river and harbour, and Ciboure to the south.
The town is still an active fishing port, with anchovies, tuna and sardines being the main fish caught, although leisure and tourism now play a large part of the towns activity - not surprising, given the towns position, sandwiched between the Atlantic Ocean and the western Pyrenees.
The church is a fine example of a Basque church, with tiered wooden 'Romeo and Juliet' balconies running along on each side.
Church at St Jean de Luz
Town, coast and beach
As well as having a large harbour, and being a popular docking place for boats, St Jean de Luz has a very nice beach 'in the town centre'. The town itself has a large number of small shops, and streets crammed with interesting houses and architecture. While there are of course new buildings in the surrounding area, St-Jean-de-Luz has so far avoided much of the coastal excess that blights so many beachfront towns, and is a charming place to visit.
Beach at St Jean de Luz
The harbour and beach are overlooked by some fine and interesting buildings.
Building overlooking harbour at St Jean de Luz
Building at St Jean de Luz
History of St Jean De Luz
The town has a long and colourful history. It was an important point on the coastal pilgrimage route to Santiago de Compostella, and became rich in the 16th century from fishing and whaling. Piracy, backed by the French King, further added to the towns wealth and many of the fine houses in the town were built on the proceeds from this piracy. In 1609 the town gained notoriety when 600 of the town women were accused of witchcraft, and sentenced to be burned as heretics - happily they were saved when their husbands rushed back from a fishing trip to Newfoundland.
The 'finest moment' for the town was in 1660, when Louis XIV married Marie-Thérèse of Spain in the town church - the Basque church of St John the Baptist - following the signing in 1659 of the 'Treaty of the Pyrenees' between France and Spain.
Blocked up church doorway at St Jean de Luz church. Following the wedding of Louis XIV and Marie-Thérèse, the doorway where they had left the church was blocked up, to ensure that no-one else could pass by the same doorway.
There are numerous other activities and things of interest in the St-Jean-de-Luz area - below is a brief summary.
Abbadia
At Abbadia, on the road to Hendaye, there is a chateau - the Chateau d'Abbadia - which was constructed in the 19th century with a fine view across the ocean. Interesting, with an outside based on medieval chateaux and an interior decorated based on oriental designs, the owner (Viollet-le-Duc) also added an observatory so that scientists could map the stars (interestingly, he also drew the first accurate maps of Ethiopia).
Abbadia is also home to a 65 hectare nature reserve, with 30 species of protected birds.
Coast Road
The road south from St-Jean -de-Luz towards Hendaye (the 'corniche') is protected from development, and continues to Hondarribia and beyond. There are lots of viewpoints, cliff views and some beautiful countryside.
Rhune train:
Small train that runs up the Rhune mountain, where you are greeted by spectacular views in all directions. Trains leave from Ascain, en route towards Sare.
Hendaye
Heading towards Spain from St-Jean-de-Luz, at the end of the 'corniche' (coast road) you will find Hendaye. Hendaye has a very nice beach - 3km long - although perhaps a little spoiled by the building developments on the other side of the road. One interesting feature of Hendaye is the nearby 'Ile des faisons' a no-mans-land island between france and spain where treaties between the two countries were signed and hostage exchanges took place. Less common nowadays.
Fort de Socoa
Just along the coast from Ciboure, Socoa has a nice quiet beach and a fort. The Fort de Socoa is also used as a base for watersports. A nice walk from Ciboure.
Fort de Socoa, near Ciboure
Golf near st Jean de Luz and Biarritz
The region is reputedly the home of golf in France, and there are many golf courses in the region. You could try Golf de Bassussarry, Golf d'Arcangues, Golf d'Epherra, Golf de Chantaco or Golf de la Nivelle. Or go to the Le Phare golf course, the first to be constructed in France.
Walking
Walking is popular both along the coast and in the low hills and mountains at this end of the Pyrenees. One walk of particular interest is the coastal walk, that runs from Bidart to Hendaye, a total of about 25km. The path can be joined at Erretegia, Les Alcyons, Pointe Sainte-Barbe, the Fort de Socoa, Asporotsttipi, Abbadia and Sokoboru. Various information posts about geology, fishing and so on are found along the way.
Other
There are many other 'tourist attractions' - small museums, caves, houses recreated in middle-age style, aquariums etc etc You will find details in all the tourist offices in the area.
We were pleased to stay at this St-Jean-de-Luz apartment during our visit.
St-Jean-de-Luz: tourist information, map, travel plans and gites
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St Jean de Luz, main square |
Visit St-Jean-de-Luz, France
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P&V holidays, Saint Jean de Luz
[Saint Jean de Luz] Residence Maeva Fort Socoa: Beach 200 m ; Residence with swimming pool; Children club : 6/12 year old
[Saint Jean de Luz] Residence Maeva Eguzki: Located in the town centre ; The beach is 5 minutes walk away ; Thalassotherapy center at 300 m
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Map of St-Jean-de-Luz, France |
Travel, hotels and holiday gites, Saint Jean de Luz
See the Visit Saint Jean de Luz section above for gites and hotels local to the area. For more general French travel options, see the Gites in France listings, or French holidays for other holidays, and Travel to France for ferries, Saint Jean de Luz car-hire, eurotunnel, cheap flights etc.
Places to visit - Saint Jean de Luz
- Ainhoa Most beautiful village
- Bayonne Place
- Ciboure Place
- Rhune mountain Basque mountain
- Sare Most beautiful village
- St Jean de Luz Coastal town
- Soorts-Hossegor Atlantic surfing centre and beach
- Biarritz Atlantic resort and surf capital
Any places listed above are within about 20-25 km (as the crow flies)
Information and photos of Saint Jean de Luz, France
This Saint Jean de Luz tourism guide, has information and holidays and photos when available. If you have any photos or relevant information please send them to us! Full credit will be given if they are used.
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