Camping in Saint-Jean-de-Luz

In the picturesque harbour town, the day at the campsite by the sea begins with a hearty breakfast. Freshly fortified, the first guests take to the sea with their surfboards in the early hours of the morning. Those coming to the region to camp with a dog may prefer to set off on a walk into the old town. Golfers can look forward to two first-class courses. In the evening, you can challenge your luck in the casino.

Special features of camping in Saint-Jean-de-Luz

Many of the campsites in Saint-Jean-de-Luz are located close to the sea. Some of them even offer bathers direct access to the beach. Surfers and water sports enthusiasts in particular enjoy the Atlantic, but thanks to the dam, which Napoleon helped to create with a special concrete construction, the bay is protected from high waves. Families with children also enjoy camping in Saint-Jean-de-Luz.

The best time of the year is used for sightseeing, hiking and cycling tours. It is not far from the campsites to the church where the Sun King got married or to other attractions in the region. The campsites offer spacious pitches as well as mobile homes or bungalows for rent.

How to get there

Which route holidaymakers take on their way to the campsite in Saint-Jean-de-Luz depends on individual taste and the place of departure. From the north and centre of Germany, almost all campers arrive at their destination via Orleans, Poitiers and Bordeaux. From Orleans, they can choose to travel to Paris via Liège or Reims.

There is also a motorway to Orleans from Metz or Saarbrücken. Visitors from the south can either travel via Freiburg or Bern, Geneva and Lyon to Combronde and from there via the A89 motorway to Bordeaux and finally Saint-Jean-de-Luz.

The distances from Berlin, for example, are 1,910 kilometres, from Cologne around 1,280 kilometres and from Munich around 1,530 kilometres. Heavy traffic and traffic jams are to be expected, especially during the peak travelling season. It is therefore worth planning an extended stopover - if possible with an overnight stay.

Away from the motorways, enchanting villages and picturesque landscapes beckon in France. Thanks to the extensive range of camping options, holidaymakers can choose their favourite region for an overnight stay on the journey there and back. It is important to reserve a pitch for your motorhome or caravan in good time, especially during the summer holidays.

Top 5 sights

• Church of Saint-Jean-Baptiste: This is where the Sun King Louis XIV married the Infanta Maria Theresa of Spain, thus ending the war between the two countries.
• Maison Louis XIV: The Sun King resided here to prepare for the important wedding ceremony.
• Château d'Urtubie: The castle dates back to the 14th century and is set in six hectares of parkland. Today it is used as a hotel.
• Botanical Gardens: Located just outside the villa district, the gardens are home to rare mountain flowers and herbs.
• Ecomuseum of Basque Tradition: Anyone interested in the culture and history of the Basque Country should plan a trip here.

Top 2 insider tips

• Desserts: Strolling through the alleyways of the old town will delight those with a sweet tooth. Pastel-coloured macaroons and delicious cakes are piled up in the confectioners' displays, which also make great souvenirs. The homemade ice cream, on the other hand, should be savoured on the spot with a view of the sea.
• Excursion to Socoa: The small ferry to Socoa at the western end of the bay departs directly from the town pier. The castle perched on a hill is well worth a visit. The shore can also be explored by kayak. There is a small water sports centre right next to the jetty.

Activities and excursions

In the background of Saint-Jean-de-Luz, the Pyrenees tower into the sky and the deep blue Atlantic opens up to the front. The former fishing village is now a centre of attraction for surfers from all over the world and also attracts golfers and culture vultures.

Surfing and diving

The sea and the beach are a major attraction for holidaymakers in Saint-Jean-de-Luz. In recent years and decades, the coastal town has developed into an Eldorado for surfers. Surfers from all over the world use the surf to practise their balance. But there are also other activities in and around the Atlantic. Campers like to set off on a kayak tour or race across the water on a jet ski. Divers and snorkellers are fascinated by the rich variety of fish.

The nearest golf course is close by

In addition to the cool water, the land also offers guests of Saint-Jean-de-Luz a number of activities. For example, the two renowned golf courses Golf de la Nivelle and Golf de Chantaco have been created for players. The courses are located less than two kilometres from the town centre and each offer an 18-hole course.

events

June

• Festival of the city's patron saint: The Fête de la Saint-Jean takes place every year in honour of the city's patron saint. Participants dress in red and black. The elaborately staged spectacle with concerts, shows, parades and a large bonfire lasts five days and always takes place around 24 June. The main venue for the festivities is Louis XIV Square, with the Saint-Jean-Baptiste church serving as the backdrop for most of the performances.

July

• Tuna festival: The Fête du Thon in Saint-Jean-de-Luz is a lively and cheerful affair. Street musicians play their favourite tunes all over the city. Delicious tuna specialities can also be sampled. Of course, there are also drinks for sale.

July - August

• Night of the Sardine: On a warm summer evening in July or August, around 200 tables are set up for visitors next to the Jai-Alai. Guests can then sit together comfortably, sample the delicious fish specialities and enjoy the dancing and music.

October

• Film festival: At the beginning of October, the Saint-Jean-de-Luz Festival international du Film presents various films by up-and-coming directors to an interested audience. Since 2014, the event has mainly been held in the cinema at 29 Boulevard Victor Hugo.

Gastronomy

Due to its location on the Atlantic, fish and seafood are often used in typical dishes. Oysters, scallops and mussels and even delicacies such as caviar are on the menu of the locals. Classic dishes include marmitako, a Basque tuna stew, or Basque fish soup with tomatoes and peppers.

Meat fans also get their money's worth in the Saint-Jean-de Luz region. You can order excellent crispy duck legs or the butter-soft lamb agneau de pré-salé, which comes from the salt marsh pastures of the Vendée.

Of course, a local wine - for example from the wine-growing regions around Bordeaux - should not be missing from the meal. It goes well with both the main course and a delicious dessert such as gâteau basque, a Basque sponge cake made from shortcrust pastry with custard and almonds.

Best time to visit

Overall, holidaymakers can look forward to a mild and pleasant climate when camping in Saint-Jean-de-Luz. The average annual temperature is 14.1 degrees Celsius. Even in the cooler months between November and February, the thermometer only drops below freezing in very exceptional cases. In the coldest month of January, for example, temperatures reach around eight degrees Celsius.

If you want to explore the green mountains in the hinterland, take a trip to neighbouring Spain or take a stroll through the old town with its beautiful half-timbered houses, the ideal time to visit Saint-Jean-de-Luz is between May and October. Temperatures are usually above 15 degrees Celsius, and in August, the warmest month, they can even reach 24.7 degrees. The water is also up to 22 degrees Celsius then.