A renowned resort on the Basque coast, Saint-Jean-de-Luz is also renowned for its history and its architectural heritage. Indeed, the Church of St John the Baptist was where the marriage of Louis XIV with the Infanta Maria Theresa of Spain was celebrated on 9 June, 1660. A Historical Monument, the building boasts an exceptional décor and contains a monumental baroque altarpiece carved in gilt wood and three floors of oak galleries... Gorgeous!
Then it's time to explore the shopping streets of the old corsair town, before admiring the iconic façades of Saint-Jean-de-Luz as well as those of the houses of the Infanta and Louis XIV. Open to visitors, the Italian-style house of the Infanta Joanoenia, which was the residence of the Infanta of Spain in June 1660 at the time of her wedding to Louis XIV, contains the so-called Infanta's Chamber and a beautifully decorated 17th-century lounge. Built in 1643 by a wealthy local ship-owner, Louis XIV's house, Lohobiague-Enea, where the young monarch stayed at the time of his wedding, invites you to discover the history of Saint-Jean-de-Luz as you explore its richly furnished rooms.
After sightseeing, enjoy a moment to enjoy the famous macaroons in the town or take a break at a café terrace on the lovely Place Louis XIV, before continuing your journey towards the picturesque fishing port, then go for a stroll on the Promenade Jacques Thibaud, along the beach and past the elegant beachfront villas. The vast sandy beach of Saint-Jean-de-Luz will undoubtedly delight relaxation fans and water sports enthusiasts!
Located south of the Aquitaine region, on the border with Spain, Saint-Jean-de-Luz, resort enjoys an ideal location between sea and mountains.
Saint-Jean-de-Luz, even in the beginning, a small village on the dunes and marshes. In the 15th century, under the prosperity of Basque fishermen, (thanks to the cod fishery, the whale) and the appearance of the pirates who fought on behalf of the King of France, the city became a thriving and dynamic city.
Saint-Jean-de-Luz had its moment of glory, after the Treaty of the Pyrenees concluded by Mazarin. Louis 14th came there to marry Maria Theresa of Austria, Infanta of Spain June 9, 1660. The door of the church of Saint-Jean-Baptiste, crossed his release from the church by the royal couple was walled three years after the ceremony. The badge appeared under the influence of a pastry chef, Adam, who offered to Louis 14th for her wedding in 1660.
In the 19th century, dams, often destroyed, were rebuilt to permanently secure the port and the city. Trips Napoleon 3rd in the region and the enthusiasm of the good society for the Basque Coast debouched at that time, with the arrival of the railroad, on a large tourist development.
The ttoro, fish soup is a specialty Saint-Jean-de-Luz, hake Koskera and Basque cake, are also part of the culinary traditions of the region.
- Every Tuesday and Friday, market in the Saint-Jean-de-Luz halls.
- Andalusian Festival on Pentecost weekend.
- Saint John's patronal feasts at the end of June.
- Tuna festival the 2nd Saturday in July.
- Sardine night in July and August.
- Ravel Festival in September.
- Maurice Ravel International Music Academy, the first half of September.
- Festivals in the rue de la République, the 3rd weekend of September.
- International Film Festival, in October.
Exposition Bleu, la Galerie : « Photographies » de Bastien Labadie
- From 2 february to 3 april 2024
- 3 rue de l'Infante, BLEU, la Galerie
- In parallel with the exhibition of works by Pier, his father who died in 2019, Bastien Labadie presents some twenty previously unpublished photographs. Like his father, Bastien honors the Basque country with his own distinctive touch, where typical light is an integral part of the figuration. - Tuesday to Saturday, 3 pm to 6.30 pm. - The gallery will be closed from February 25 to March 4 for annual vacations.
Exposition Bleu, la Galerie : Expo 2024 de Pier « Huiles & Dessins »
- From 2 february to 3 april 2024
- 3 rue de l'Infante, BLEU, la Galerie
- For the first exhibition of BLEU, la galerie en 2024, Pier returns with a selection of oils and drawings never before shown. - Pier passed away in 2019, and his work showcases the beauty of the Basque country in all its forms : ports, villages, festivals, the men and women who live there… - Tuesday to Saturday, 3 pm to 6:30 pm. - The gallery will be closed from February 25 to March 4 inclusive for annual vacations.
Exposition à la Rotonde : "A l'Orée du Bois", de Gilles Lavie
- From 15 march to 7 april 2024
- La Rotonde, Place Maurice Ravel
- A native of Arbonne, Gilles Lavie first exhibited his work in 2007. - Passionate about photography, he gradually turned to painting, working mainly on urban themes and street scenes. - Since then, this self-taught artist has continued to explore, refine and simplify his painting. - Wednesday to Sunday : 2:30 pm to 7 pm - Saturday : 10am to 12:30pm and 2:30pm to 7pm.
Initiation et Perfectionnement à l'Ultimate Frisbee - Club des Korsaires
- On 28 march 2024
- Entre rue de l'Infante et le phare, Grande Plage - Gymnase Urdazuri
- Les Korsaires ultimate frisbee club in Saint Jean de Luz offers introductory and advanced courses on the Grande Plage (between rue de l'Infante and the lighthouse) or at Gymnase Urdazuri. Self-refereed, mixed, non-contact sport. - All levels accepted from age 12 - Registration required - Every Thursday until the end of June. - Ultimate frisbee initiation - Mixed, non-contact, self-refereed sport - Facebook/Instagram @KorsairesSaintjeandeluz
Cesta all Star
- On 29 march 2024
- 16 avenue Andre Ithurralde, Jai Alai
- Pre-qualifying tournament for the Cesta All Star. - This new tournament aims to qualify 2 hopefuls who will meet the world's best players from April 7 to April 25.
Marché de Créateurs Martxuka Merkatua
- On 30 march 2024
- Boulevard Victor Hugo, Halles
- Take advantage of the Easter weekend to discover the expertise of local designers from 10am to 7pm on the Halles forecourt.
Atelier de Pâques
- On 30 march 2024
- Médiathèque, Place du Maréchal Foch
- Easter-themed gourmet workshop. - Bring an apron or clothes that can be stained. - Ages 5 and up.
Jardin Botanique Littoral : Atelier sur les Cycles de l'eau
- On 30 march 2024
- 31 rue Gaëtan de Bernoville, Jardin botanique Littoral
- What if water could be cultivated ? Did you know that there are not 1 but 6 water cycles ? Climate change has prompted us to consider water as a precious resource. Participants are invited to come and discover these different cycles, the result of recent research, and see together how we can cultivate water ! - Workshop led by the Libre Cueillette association.
Atelier Tricot-thé et Crochet
- On 30 march 2024
- 1 place Foch, Médiathèque
- The monthly gathering of knitting enthusiasts around a common charity project and a tea party.
Spectacle de Chants Polyphoniques Occitans et bal Traditionnel du Pays Basque par Cocanha et le Collectif Bilaka
- On 30 march 2024
- Centre Culturel Peyuco Duhart, Rue Martin Duconte
- Proposed by Scène nationale du Sud-Aquitain - Occitan polyphonic songs and a traditional Basque ball, the artists of Cocanha and the Bilaka collective invite you to enjoy a festive evening of dancing ! - The 2 singular voices of Caroline Dufau and Lila Fraysse, who make up the group Cocanha, blend together in a hypnotic polyphony carried by the pulse of string tambourines, feet and hands. In this percussive face-off, the 2 artists cultivate minimalism and the aesthetics of amplified music, engaging the body in dance, drawing on the traditional Occitan repertoire, re-moving archives and putting them back into the oral tradition. In the 2nd half of the evening, the musicians and dancers of Bilaka will present a new repertoire, the fruit of a work that resonates with the jumps and other popular dances of the PB.