My wife and I will be in St Jean de Luz for 5 days this June. Looking for recommendations for day trips\activities. I know Rick mentions several hill towns nearby are worth a look and I've also heard that San Sebastian and Biarritz are possibillities for day-trips as well. Any suggestions? We'd really love to find an authentic French hill town thats accessible from our base in St Jean de Luz. Thanks all!
Posted by
Ypsilanti, MI, USA
233 posts
I stayed in St Jean de Luz for two nights in June 2009. (Hope you're there for Donibaneko Bestak, their town festival!) I did the day-trip to San Sebastian, which is pretty easy. (Rick's book gives the details, and the St Jean de Luz tourist office even gave me a San Sebastian map).
Posted by
Cary, NC
687 posts
I day tripped to St. Jean de Luz from Bayonne, which is worth a look. I also day tripped by train to St. Jean Pied de Port, which is the starting point for a lot of people walking the Camino, and Pau, which used to be popular with Brits in the winter.
Posted by
Santa Rosa, CA, USA
355 posts
I would definitely recommend St. Jean Pied de Port. It can be crowded with tourists, but it's a beautiful village, as well as the starting point for many making the walk along the Camino de Santiago. Biarritz is also very nice and has a beautiful coastline. There is also the Hotel du Palais that is worth a peak inside. It's now a five star hotel, but was the summer residence of Napolean III and Eugenie. We were able to go inside and walk around the lobby without anyone seeming to mind. Another possiblity is the town of Espelette. It's a very small village that is famous for producing the spice Piment de Espelette. Depending on the time of year, there are red peppers hanging to dry all over the town. Very pretty! I always have to bring some home with me (the spice, not the actual peppers - I think customs would frown on bringing in the peppers). Hope this helps.