Saint-Jean-de-Luz, in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques, is a seaside resort and fishing port in the Basque Country, set at the head of a bay sheltered by sea walls. Its calm, family-friendly fine-sand beach borders a lively pedestrian centre of lanes, Basque houses with red and green half-timbering and shops selling Basque linen.
The church of Saint-Jean-Baptiste, where Louis XIV married Maria Theresa of Spain in 1660, the Maison Louis XIV and the covered market are essentials. The harbour, which lands tuna and sardines, supplies restaurants and market stalls, while macarons and Basque cake are local specialities. Ciboure, across the Nivelle river, is the birthplace of Maurice Ravel.
A few kilometres from Biarritz and the Spanish border, Saint-Jean-de-Luz makes a good base for trips to La Rhune, Ascain and Espelette. It is a popular stop for anyone wanting to discover the Basque Country from the sea side.