Saint Jean de Luz | Aquitaine Region | South West France

Saint Jean de Luz A beautiful seaside resort and active fishing port not far from the Spanish border, Saint Jean de Luz is a lively and cosmopolitan town. The town center of St Jean de Luz  has a medieval background, with no doubt, a great deal of influence in the past from Spain and the Moors, and with this mixture of architecture, old World charm, old buildings, fishing port and narrow lanes, there is an atmosphere (like a good football match or a rugby International), an ambience, even if the town is full of tourists of all nationalities, every one gets along, especially at the time of the jazz fete in the streets. One expects D'Artagnan, Don Quixote or Robin Hood to be sitting at the next table, as we revisit the middle ages.

Around the main square in the town center, you can find some of the best sea-food restaurants on the Cote Basque, as well as other bars and terraces from which to see and enjoy the regular musical events in the square - including a Basque Choir every Sunday morning (in the summer months). When you wander through the lanes looking at the shop windows, you will arrive at the more commercial end of town (still quite old, but certainly not medieval) where the Thermes and Casino are located and the chic shops are located.

The principle Architecture here is typically Basque, but with a blend of Moorish and Spanish Andalusian architecture, which creates a fine balance.

Back to Aquitaine | South West France

Other towns in the Aquitaine region:

The Dordogne
Bordeaux
The Bassin d'Arcachon and Arrachon
Lacanau  
Biarritz
Bayonne
Saint Jean de Luz
Dax
Pau
Pays Basque