Saint Jean de Luz is also known as Saint-Jean-de-Luz, since it is a French commune in the New Aquitaine region. It is located at the bottom of the Bay of Biscay, on the coast of the Cantabrian Sea. This small town became a well-known spa for the inhabitants of the Basque Country. Today it is one of those places that are perfect for a weekend getaway.
What was once a coast attacked by corsairs, has become over the years a beautiful and peaceful summer destination. Saint Jean de Luz has a wonderful bay and a lot of history in its streets. This has made it a romantic travel destination in which to enjoy the coast over time.
History of Saint Jean de Luz
This population dedicated itself mainly to fishing, like all places with a port on the coast. However, in the seventeenth century it became the protection area for Basque corsairs, so that fishing became piracy. They fought the enemies of France, so they were feared by the English and Spanish. In this century the Treaty of the Pyrenees was also signed to seal peace between France and Spain. To ensure it, King Louis XIV married the Spanish Infanta María Teresa precisely in the town of San Juan de Luz.
The Great Beach
As attracts hundreds of tourists every year to Saint Jean de Luz it is certainly the main beach. It is a crescent-shaped sandy area in the bay area, which has been protected with several dikes. This makes it perfect for swimming, since it does not have the waves of other beaches on this coast. It is an urban beach where there are all kinds of services, from games for children to entertainment for the whole family. Next to the beach there is a large promenade along which you must walk. The houses with Basque architecture are a real attraction for those who visit the town, and the views of the sea from that promenade are stupendous. Although this is the main beach, the truth is that there are others that can also be enjoyed such as Erromardi, Mayarco, Lafiténia and Cénitz.
Gambetta Street
If you want to take a walk through a lively area, you have Rua Gambetta. This is the main shopping street and in it there are shops of all kinds. In this area you will find the shops that sell the Lingue Basque, colorful fabrics and patterns typical of the Basque culture that can be the perfect detail.
Church of San Juan Bautista
Precisely on Rua Gambetta is the Church of San Juan Bautista, built between the XNUMXth and XNUMXth centuries. The exterior is quite simple, so it will not attract our attention so much, but this facade hides an interior full of details, since it is inspired by the baroque art of the seventeenth century. Inside we see something typical of the churches of the Basque country, which are the wooden side balconies. The details with golden tones also predominate and the figure of a ship hanging in the center of the ship stands out, which will undoubtedly attract our attention.
Louis XIV Square
This is the main square of Saint Jean de Luz, full of trees, with a cozy aspect and two important buildings, the town hall and the House of Louis XIV. This house was built by Basque corsairs, but it was given that name because precisely this king stayed in it for forty days awaiting the arrival of his Spanish fiancée before the wedding. This square comes to life in summer, as it has terraces of the locals that are in it.
joanoenia
In this town there are many old and well-preserved buildings. This is also known as the Maison de l'Infante. This house was also another that a rich privateer had built. This building is inspired by the palaces of Venice and we will undoubtedly see similarities with the buildings of this Italian city. It is in front of the port and at the top it has a tower that served as a surveillance point.
Market-Les Halles
If what you need is a break after a day at the beach or walks around the city, you can go to the Market-Les Halles. This market has all kinds of stalls selling quality gastronomy inspired by traditional Basque cuisine. If you want to know the best of its gastronomy this is the right place and it is open every day of the year. In its surroundings there are bars and restaurants with terraces, so in summer it is a really lively place when it comes to eating. What do you think of a visit to Saint Jean de Luz?