What to do in Saint Jean de Luz when camping?
Nestled at the foot of the Pyrenees, between Biarritz and Hendaye, Saint-Jean-de-Luz is one of the most beautiful towns on the Basque Coast, bearing witness to a rich historical past. It is also a lively and vibrant family seaside resort, which attracts lovers of seaside holidays every summer! Here are the places you absolutely must visit during your stay in Saint-Jean-de-Luz!
Not to be missed:
Place Louis XIV in Saint Jean de Luz : Located on the Atlantic coast, at the gateway to Spain, Saint-Jean-de-Luz (Donibane Lohizune in Basque) is a town rich in heritage, marked by history. It was here, in the Church of Saint John the Baptist, that Louis XIV married the Infanta Maria Theresa of Austria on 9 June 1660.
The Louis XIV House: this superb shipowner's residence welcomed the Sun King before his wedding. Inhabited by the same family for 14 generations, it is open to visitors and reveals historical treasures: period furniture, precious objets d'art and refined décor, such as the King's bedroom, which is staged with wax figures.
The Maison de l'Infante: an elegant Italian-style building where the future Queen of France resided before her marriage to Louis XIV. The residence is not open to visitors, but the façade is worth a look when strolling around the port of Saint-Jean-de-Luz.
Saint-Jean-Baptiste Church: this iconic location, where the royal wedding was celebrated, is a place of worship that also hosts numerous musical events. The church is known for its 17th-century gilded wooden altarpiece, the most monumental in the Basque Country.
The Grande Plage in Saint Jean de Luz
St-Jean-de-Luz shares the Bay of Socoa with Ciboure, renowned for its beautiful sandy beaches that attract families and surfers alike. In July and August, all the beaches in Luz are supervised.
Right in the town centre, the Grande Plage, protected from the waves by several breakwaters, is perfect for family swimming. It offers practical facilities: a beach club, areas for deckchairs, showers, toilets, parking, not to mention nearby shops.
Three other beaches are located in the Acotz district, which slopes down to the ocean:
- Lafitenia: one of the best surfing spots in the Basque Country, with big waves, but not recommended for children!
- Mayarco: a small family beach ideal for swimming with toddlers, especially at low tide.
- Cenitz: between Saint-Jean-de-Luz and Guéthary, a sandy and pebble beach for beginner surfers. Less crowded than its neighbours, it offers a peaceful setting to relax.
The port of Saint Jean de Luz: a stroll along the quays
First a hideout for pirates, then a whaling port and finally a tuna fishing port, Saint-Jean-de-Luz has always lived to the rhythm of the ocean. This small Basque fishing port offers a pretty backdrop for photographs, with its colourful Basque houses and the Rhune mountain in the background.
Around forty fishing boats are permanently moored there. Line-caught hake and anchovies are among the jewels of the local fishing industry. Enjoy them in the seafood restaurants around the port.
Did you know? In the 17th and 18th centuries, the town was so full of privateers that the Spanish nicknamed it the ‘viper's nest’. Among them were Renau d'Elissagaray, praised by Louis XIV, Jean d'Albarrade, future Minister of the Navy in 1794, and Pellot Montvieux, known as the Basque Fox.
Camping in Saint-Jean-de-Luz: Book Your Stay!
Just a 5-minute walk from Mayarco, Lafitenia and Cenitz beaches, our 3-star campsite in St-Jean-de-Luz welcomes you to a 2-hectare wooded and green park for a seaside holiday on the Basque Coast.
Our natural, family-friendly campsite offers mobile homes, chalets and furnished tents for hire, as well as pitches for tents, caravans and motorhomes. Discover our accommodations in Saint-Jean-de-Luz.
On site, you can also enjoy the aquatic area with a heated swimming pool. Nestled between the ocean and the Pyrenees mountains, our family campsite is an ideal starting point for visiting the Basque Country.
