St-Jean de Luz
St-Jean de Luz is a Basque fishing port on the Bay of Biscay, with a long sandy beach and a train ride to Biarritz.
We may earn a commission. It never decides our picks.
St-Jean de Luz is a fishing port on the Bay of Biscay, in the French Basque Country of the Pyrénées-Atlantiques department in Nouvelle-Aquitaine. The old town sits near the mouth of the Nivelle river, and the neighboring town of Ciboure lies across the water. Its houses are painted red and white, with painted shutters and wooden balconies. The Saint-Jean-Baptiste church is the best-known landmark, and Louis XIV married Maria Theresa of Spain there in 1660.
The town suits a beach and food trip more than a nightlife one. The Grande Plage is a wide sandy beach on the bay, and the streets near the harbor have bakeries and chocolate shops where gâteau basque is a common order. Biarritz is reachable by train along the coast, and the Spanish border town of Hondarribia is a short drive away. Two or three days covers the old town, the beach and a day trip. The best season runs from late spring to early autumn.
St-Jean de Luz in five
- Walk the bay and the harborThe curved bay has calm water, and the port is busy with fishing boats and cafés. It is a good first stop for a Basque morning.
- Try gâteau basque and piment d'EspeletteThese are local staples sold in pastry shops and markets. Espelette is a short drive inland.
- Take the coast trainTrains link St-Jean de Luz with Biarritz and Bayonne, and TGVs from Paris stop at the main station. Book ahead for summer.Biarritz
- Use it as a base for SpainSan Sebastián is a short drive or train ride away, so a French Basque trip can include it. Check the entry rules for your passport.French Basque Country
Things to do in St-Jean de Luz
See all attractions in St-Jean de Luz
Need to know
- Airport
- Biarritz Pays Basque (BIQ), about 20 min by car
- Getting there
- TGV from Paris; TER from Bayonne or Biarritz
- Getting around
- On foot in the town; train or bus along the coast
- Best base
- Near the harbor or the beach
- Time needed
- 1–2 days
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Days with storms
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryRain16 rainy daysHigh11°Low7°Mild, wetJanuaryRain
Poor
- High
- 11°
- Low
- 7°
- Precipitation
- 208 mm
- Rainy days
- 16
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, wet
- FebruaryRain14 rainy daysHigh13°Low8°Mild, wetFebruaryRain
Mixed
- High
- 13°
- Low
- 8°
- Precipitation
- 148 mm
- Rainy days
- 14
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, wet
- MarchRain17 rainy daysHigh14°Low8°Mild, springMarchRain
Mixed
- High
- 14°
- Low
- 8°
- Precipitation
- 168 mm
- Rainy days
- 17
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, spring
- AprilRain15 rainy daysHigh15°Low10°Spring showersAprilRain
Mixed
- High
- 15°
- Low
- 10°
- Precipitation
- 127 mm
- Rainy days
- 15
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Spring showers
- MayRain16 rainy daysHigh18°Low12°WarmMayRain
Good
- High
- 18°
- Low
- 12°
- Precipitation
- 144 mm
- Rainy days
- 16
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm
- JuneRain15 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh21°Low16°Warm, beachesJuneRain
Best
- High
- 21°
- Low
- 16°
- Precipitation
- 137 mm
- Rainy days
- 15
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 1
Warm, beaches
- JulyRain13 rainy daysHigh23°Low18°Warm, beachesJulyRain
Best
- High
- 23°
- Low
- 18°
- Precipitation
- 77 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, beaches
- AugustClear12 rainy daysHigh23°Low18°Warm, busyAugustClear
Best
- High
- 23°
- Low
- 18°
- Precipitation
- 111 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, busy
- SeptemberRain14 rainy daysHigh22°Low16°Warm, quietSeptemberRain
Best
- High
- 22°
- Low
- 16°
- Precipitation
- 152 mm
- Rainy days
- 14
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, quiet
- OctoberRain13 rainy daysHigh19°Low14°Mild, goldenOctoberRain
Good
- High
- 19°
- Low
- 14°
- Precipitation
- 141 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, golden
- NovemberRain17 rainy daysHigh15°Low10°Cool, wetNovemberRain
Poor
- High
- 15°
- Low
- 10°
- Precipitation
- 251 mm
- Rainy days
- 17
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool, wet
- DecemberRain15 rainy daysHigh13°Low8°Mild, wetDecemberRain
Poor
- High
- 13°
- Low
- 8°
- Precipitation
- 222 mm
- Rainy days
- 15
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, wet
Average daily high and low in St-Jean de Luz, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in St-Jean de Luz
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
9
- Feels like
- 9°
- Humidity
- 83%
- Wind
- 5 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 0%
St-Jean de Luz
09:48 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today12°8°0%Monday: Cloudy. High 12°, Low 8°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Tue11°4°5%Tuesday: Cloudy. High 11°, Low 4°. Chance of rain 5%.
- Wed15°7°8%Wednesday: Cloudy. High 15°, Low 7°. Chance of rain 8%.
- Thu17°5°11%Thursday: Partly cloudy. High 17°, Low 5°. Chance of rain 11%.
- Fri15°6°12%Friday: Clear. High 15°, Low 6°. Chance of rain 12%.
- Sat14°6°12%Saturday: Drizzle. High 14°, Low 6°. Chance of rain 12%.
- Sun21°11°41%Sunday: Cloudy. High 21°, Low 11°. Chance of rain 41%.
Updated 07:27 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Every year
- Jul–AugFêtes de BayonneBayonne, a day trip
Before you go to St-Jean de Luz
We may earn a commission. It never decides our picks.
Rules for St-Jean de Luz, checked
- France is part of the Schengen area, so most visitors may stay up to 90 days in any 180-day period. Check your entry eligibility on france-visas.gouv.fr.Source
- Schengen borders use the Entry/Exit System, which records fingerprints and a photo at the first crossing. Keep your passport valid and ready at passport control.
- Tipping is not expected. Restaurant bills usually say service compris, meaning service is included, and rounding up is a common courtesy.
- Customs limits apply to alcohol, tobacco, meat and dairy brought in from outside the EU. Check the allowances on douane.gouv.fr before you pack.Source
Plan around St-Jean de Luz
Coast, hills and villages in one region
Read the guideBiarritz travel guideA surf resort a short ride up the coast
Read the guideBayonne travel guideHam, chocolate and the old town
Read the guideSt-Jean Pied de PortThe Camino gateway in the foothills
Read the guideAll of FranceRegions, trains, entry rules and money for a France trip
Read the guideSt-Jean de Luz FAQ
Is St-Jean de Luz worth visiting?
Yes if you want a calm bay and Basque charm without the Biarritz crowds. It is small, so one night usually suffices.
Is St-Jean de Luz better than Biarritz?
It is calmer, and the bay suits swimming. Biarritz is better for surf and nightlife. Many travelers stay in one and visit the other.
How do you get to St-Jean de Luz?
By TGV from Paris, or by TER from Biarritz and Bayonne. Biarritz airport is the closest.
Can you do St-Jean de Luz as a day trip from Biarritz?
Yes, the train takes about 15–25 minutes. You can have lunch and a bay walk and be back by evening.
When is the best time to visit St-Jean de Luz?
June and September for warm weather and fewer crowds. July and August are busy; winter is quiet and showery.