9 - Saint-Jean-de-Luz

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The small fishing port, also known as a hangout for pirates in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, still recalls its past via its small fort. To the end of the nineteenth century, Saint-Jean-de-Luz became a popular beachside resort town for the surrounding high-society. The change arose after the railway was installed under Napoleon III, who was a big fan of the region. The three dykes, Socoa, Artha and Sainte-Barbe, which served to protect the town from violent storms was the last step to making the area a prised destination for many families. The area caters well for children as well as adults. The Grande Plage (or 'Big beach' in English), with its fine sands and protected bay is located right in the centre of town and is perfect for spending the day with the family. Lafiténia beach is a popular hangout for surf-aficionados; the waves here can be impressive. The less-experienced surfers will prefer Cénitz beach, where the waves are a little more manageable. For those who aren't into sports, there is the Jacques Thibaud promenade lining the Grande Plage, which is a lovely walk for exploring the coast, before heading to the small winding streets that make up the old town where you'll find the house of the three canons and Saint John the Baptist Church where the marriage of Louis XIV and the Princess of Spain in 1660 took place; the house is open for tours.

The Ile-de-Ré Canet-en-Roussillon