Saint-Jean-de-Luz, the pearl of the Basque Coast
25 minutes from the campsite on the Basque Coast, Saint-Jean-de-Luz is a historic, sporting and family seaside resort. You will enjoy strolling through the streets and admiring the bay of Socoa, tasting the local cuisine that has always made the reputation of our region famous or following in the footsteps of Louis XIV and Maria Theresa of Spain in the Basque Country...
An afternoon on the beaches of the most oceanic of the Basque Coast resorts
The beaches of Saint-Jean-de-Luz are among the most beautiful on the Basque Coast. On 7 kilometres of coastline, you will find 6 beaches, each with its own particularities.
Accessible from downtown, Grande Plage Sud is very popular with families. Sheltered at the bottom of the magnificent bay of Socoa, it offers swimming conditions with little current and smaller waves than its neighbours. If, on the other hand, you have chosen to camp in the Basque Country to surf beautiful waves, we recommend Lafitenia beach or Senix beach.
A stream of leisure activities to vary the pleasures
Take advantage of your camping stay in Saint-Jean-de-Luz to practice your favourite sport or relax in a thalasso with your feet in the water! You will also have the choice between a first dive, a palm hike, a surf, bodyboard, kitesurfing or windsurfing course on the waves.
Back on land, you can work on your swing on the green of the Golf de Chantaco or on the Basque pelota on the Lucian pediments. Cyclists will discover La Vélodyssée, from Saint-Jean-de-Luz to Hendaye or the smugglers' route (58 km) which crosses some of the most beautiful villages in the Basque Country: Sare, Espelette or Ainhoa. Hikers can attack the Col d'Elurretxe near Irun or the coastal path through the port of Ciboure.
Historical walk in the heart of the city
If you have chosen to spend a camping vacation in St-Jean-de-Luz, history and heritage will always be there throughout the city.
From the 16th to the 18th century, Saint-Jean-de-Luz was an important privateer city. From this glorious past, the city has inherited several historic districts, some of which still bear the name of famous privateers such as Johannès de Suhigaraychipi, alias Coursic. The latter built the Louis XIV House in 1643, an elegant shipowner's residence in which the Sun King stayed during his marriage to the Infanta Maria Theresa of Spain on June 9, 1660, and where you can admire the king's room and its wax figures, as well as precious period furniture.
The journey through the history of France continues around the Church of St. John the Baptist, one of the most beautiful churches in the Basque Country, where the king's wedding was celebrated. Inside, a 17th century gilded wooden altarpiece is one of the treasures to be discovered. Another place steeped in history to visit is the Infanta's House, an elegant Italian-style residence where Maria Theresa of Spain took up residence before the wedding.
Gourmet walk in Saint-Jean-de-Luz
If you want to do some shopping or bring back a souvenir of your camping trip in the Basque Country, go to rue Gambetta, which is the junction between Place Louis XIV and the fishing port. Entirely pedestrian, it is lined with large signs and small shops where local merchants, craftsmen and producers have a presence.
You will be tempted by a delicious Basque cake, a box of flies, kanougas and other Basque sweets. But what makes Saint-Jean-de-Luz proud is the macaroon, since Louis XIV asked the pastry chef Adam to make him a pastry never seen before. The Basque macaroon has since been an undeniable success. The Adam house and the Pariès house are the worthy heirs! Do you prefer the flavours of the sea? It doesn't matter! You will enjoy fish and other seafood directly from the auction. The fishing port of Saint-Jean-de-Luz is very active. Fishermen land the fruit of their fishing every day: hake, anchovies and tuna...
The speciality not to be missed? Ttoro, a typical Luzian fish stew! Other gastronomic products to enjoy: Zikiro (grilled lamb), Axoa (minced veal with Espelette pepper), Txangurro (stuffed crab) or the famous tomato chipirons.
Enjoy the Sainte-Barbe panorama!
Leave the town centre and get away from it all for a walk as far as the Pointe de Sainte-Barbe. From there, you can enjoy the most beautiful view over Saint-Jean-de-Luz Bay. A wonderful walk introducing you to the Basque coastal path.
