PLACE: St. Jean Pied de Port (French Basque Country)

Situated at the foot of the Pyrenees, San Juan de Luz has a special charm, based on its well-preserved heritage and active cultural life. It is also the ideal spot to visit other emblematic places in the region, such as the neighbouring Biarritz and Hendaya.

Overlooking the ocean, for centuries the city made a living from fishing and the port. Its fortune grew thanks to the whale hunting of Gascuña. It was a point of departure for the cod fishing expeditions in Terranova and when fishing became more difficult it turned into a 'nid de vipères' (a vipers’ nest), a name given to the pirates.

Its time of greatest splendour came in the 16th and 17th Century, especially with the wedding of Luis XIV to the Infanta María Teresa, in 1660. After a period of decadence, and since the end of the 19th Century, San Juan de Luz has become a place renowned for its tourism, whose inhabitants have known how to preserve its heritage and customs, at the same time introducing modern activities and infrastructure.

Also, on the walks along the beaches and pedestrian areas, we can observe both its architectural grandeur, such as the House of Louis XIV or that of the Infanta, as well as the wide variety of cultural and leisure activities, with art galleries like the Musée Grévin, discos and even a thalassotherapy centre.

Sport in San Juan de Luz is also a way of life: surfing, sailing, underwater diving, fishing and walks along the seafront are just a few of the many activities on offer, together with the traditional Basque sport “Pelota”. The tourist can discover the history of this mythical sport or have classes and practical demonstrations, as a way of taking up this ancestral culture of the Basque Country, which is so popular in San Juan de Luz.