Saint-Jean-de-Luz

About

Saint-Jean-de-Luz began as a small port known for little more than fishing and pirates. Thanks to its strategic position, in the 17th century it enjoyed its ‘Golden Age’, being of such stature that Louis XIV wed the Infanta Maria Theresa of Spain here on 9 June, 1660. Towards the end of the 19th century, the town’s white-sand beach made it a destination for French and Spanish aristocracy, and it remains a popular beach resort to this day. The Church of St John the Baptist, where the royal wedding was held, is lavishly decorated inside and dominated by a massive gilted Baroque altarpiece. You can also visit the houses where Louis XIV and the Infanta of Spain stayed before taking a stroll along the waterfront promenade. Of course, being a fishing port in Basque country, you’d be remiss to not stop to enjoy the local cuisine.