Before becoming the quaint seaside resort it is today, St Jean-de-Luz gained notoriety for its activities on the seas. Known by the English as a ‘nest of vipers,’ the successful fishermen of St Jean turned to a life of corsairie; royalty-approved piracy. The wealth gained during this period is still present in the town, where many of the well-preserved Basque and Belle Epoque style buildings are open for exploring.

The riches of the seas still grace this town; arguably the culinary capital of the Basque country. There are plenty of beautiful beaches suited to different levels of activity, bounteous amounts of seafood and sea salt spas to rejuvenate after a day of exploring. The bakeries and patisseries are also of note: St-Jean-de-Luz is the birthplace of the macaroon, the mouchou and the kanouga.