Begin by taking Rue Loquin, on the left, when leaving Thalazur. This cobbled and pedestrian alley leads to the heart of Saint-Jean-de-Luz and to Rue Gambetta, the liveliest thoroughfare in the city. At the foot of beautiful red and green half-timbered houses, you come across many wonderful shops. Saint-Jean-de-Luz is fortunate to have a wide variety of independent shops. Legendary pastries such as the macaron and the Basque cake, local sandals, chic clothes, or surf wear mingle with Basque linen, timeless leather goods and of course the best local products, such as ham and goat cheese. There is enough to be bewitched with many spots.

To appreciate the Cité des Corsaires, head for Les Halles, the covered market. On Tuesdays and Fridays (and Saturdays during summer), local producers put up their stalls here. A great atmosphere! After which, go to the port, which is only a few meters away. The district is going through a complete metamorphosis (the work shall end in 2025), witnessing the comings and goings of fishing boats highlights the ever-lively maritime side of Saint-Jean-de-Luz, a former stronghold of whaling.

Feel like taking a refreshing break? Head towards Place Louis XIV. Bars-restaurants set out their terraces in front of the town hall. Over here, all the Luzian generations’’ gather under the plane trees and around the bandstand for a drink and a chat. If you appreciate history, take the time to visit the magnificent Lohobiague-Enea residence, built by a wealthy shipowner and of course the Saint-Jean-Baptiste church, the focal point of Louis XIV’s wedding with Infanta of Spain Maria Theresa. The streets of the Republic or Garat finally lead you to the Grande Plage. With the horizon right in front and the mountains in the back, you’ll feel like dipping your feet in the bay, before returning to the hotel.