Once a month, Luxus Magazine sets its sights on a destination in France or elsewhere to discover the most elegant spots – all tried and tested and carefully selected. Characterful hotels, exquisite restaurants, unique boutiques, cultural getaways… Our guide serves as a treasure trove for discerning travellers, offering essential insights. After Saint Barthélemy, we head to Saint-Jean-de-Luz and its surroundings.
🔑 Historical key: Royal influence
Formerly a whaling and then cod fishing port, Saint-Jean-de-Luz has developed over the centuries, blending maritime traditions with royal influences. Long exposed to the onslaught of the ocean, the town gradually tamed its waters thanks to the construction of sea walls in the 18th century, creating what is now one of the few sheltered bays on the Basque coast.
Its destiny changed in 1660 when Louis XIV married Maria Theresa of Austria there in the Church of Saint John the Baptist. This event, which sealed the peace between France and Spain following the Treaty of the Pyrenees, secured the town’s place in history for the long term. Tradition has it, moreover, that the gate used by the king on the day of the ceremony was subsequently bricked up, so that no one could ever match it.
Even today, Saint-Jean-de-Luz retains traces of this prestigious past, with its shipowners’ houses, ancient alleyways and facades steeped in history, offering visitors a true journey back in time.
🔑 Key to a good night’s sleep: La Réserve, one of the jewels of the Basque coast
Perched overlooking the ocean, La Réserve Saint-Jean-de-Luz offers exceptional views, between Saint-Jean-de-Luz and Biarritz. Nestled in a three-hectare wooded park, the hotel charms with its peaceful atmosphere and understated elegance: an infinity pool, gardens, wellness treatments and sporting activities (coastal walks, tennis, Pilates, yoga) punctuate the days. In summer, sunsets are accompanied by open-air music sessions.
To extend the experience, self-catering apartments (the Residence) allow guests to recreate a real home-from-home feel.
Supporting local producers, the hotel organises a large market in its gardens every year (next session: 4 September 2026).
🔑 Architectural highlight of the guesthouse: Villa Ongizatea
Just 10 minutes from Saint-Jean-de-Luz, the surfing beaches, renowned golf courses, hiking trails and the Spanish border, the 5-star Villa Ongizatea (meaning “well-being” in Basque) offers a beautiful balance between nature, elegance and the Basque art of living. Nestled in a peaceful, unspoilt setting, this architect-designed villa with its large bay windows invites you to truly unwind. It features several living areas: a garden, a swimming pool and terraces with breathtaking views of La Rhune. It is also possible to rent the entire house or just part of it. The owner – a certified yoga teacher – regularly organises yoga retreats here in spring and autumn for a complete escape.
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Featured Photo: DR
