Saint-Jean-de-Luz
From CruisersWiki
Saint-Jean-de-Luz, France
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Background
St Jean de Luz is the French gateway to the Basque country, its architecture an interesting blend of French provincial and Basque and its cuisine an equally individual mix. Other than Hendaye, it is the closest French harbour to the Spanish border. Space for visiting yachts is limited, but a stay here is very rewarding and there is much to see and do in and around the town.
Charts
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Radio Nets
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Weather
Local weather conditions?
Sources for Weather forecasts:
The approach is straightforward, entering the bay past the town of Socoa with its protective breakwater to starboard. The moorings for pleasure craft are in the small basin of Ciboure to the SW of the town; the main basin is for fishing boats only.
Marinas & Yacht Clubs
Yachts tie up in Ciboure on a Mediterranean moor, stern-to with a pick-up line for the bow. For many yachtsmen, this will be the first place they will encounter this style of mooring. Water and electricity points are available on the quay. Space is very limited and it is best to tie up where you can and seek out the harbour authorities.
Anchorages
It is possible to anchor in the bay of St Jean, clear of any mooring buoys, where there is some shelter under the breakwater of Socoa. It would, however, be very uncomfortable and possibly even untenable in strong onshore winds.
Tourism & things to do ashore
 St Jean de Luz |
 The castle and breakwater of Socoa |
 The historic village of St Pied de Port |
One of the great pleasures of a stay here is admiring the distinctive Basque stone-built houses of Ciboure and St Jean de Luz with their wooden balconies and the unusual church architecture. Many of the churches feature ornate gilt altar screens and tiered wooden balconies around the walls. An excellent example of the latter is the Eglise St Jean Baptiste, where Louis XIV married the infanta Marie Therese in 1660. A walk round the bay to Socoa, with its Vauban-designed fort and breakwater, is a good plan for fresh air. In the evening, you might even catch a game of cesta punta. A game unique to the Basque countray, cesta punta is very exciting to watch, with the four players hurling a small, hard ball at the end wall of the court from wicker ‘hand extensions’ shaped like huge uncut fingernails. The speed of the ball reaches in excess of 200 kph. Finally, St Jean de Luz is perfectly placed for a train journey inland to St Jean Pied de Port, a stop on the pilgrims’ trail to Santiago de Compostella. A very attractive hilltop town, St Jean Pied de Port boasts mediaeval walls, steep cobbled streets leading down to the River Neve and old stone houses dating back to the 16th century.
Fuel, Water, & Electricity
Laundry
Grocery & Supply Stores
Eateries
Parillada de poissons, a special Basque mixed fish grill, is available at a number of restaurants in the town and is not to be missed. Grilled sardines at the fishermen's co-operative restaurant, the Grillerie du Port, were also very good value (in 2000).
Internet/WiFi
Available?
Motorbike & Car Rentals
Marine Stores & Facilities
Submit addresses and contact details of marine related businesses that are of interest to cruisers.
Repairs
Garbage Disposal
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Transportation
Transportation (local and/or international)
Routes/Passages To/From
Popular passages/routes, timing, etc.
References & Publications
Publications, Guides, etc.
Cruiser's Friends
Contact details of "Cruiser's Friends" that can be contacted for local information or assistance.
Forum Discussions
List links to discussion threads on partnering forums. (see link for requirements)
External links
Links to relevant websites.
Personal Notes
- On a visit here in June 2000, we were fortunate enough to moor up alongside a fishing motoryacht belonging to one of the Martell brothers, who now spent his time tuna fishing in the Bay of Biscay following the sale of the Martell business to Seagrams. A highly entertaining character, he would spend days drifting out in the Bay landing tuna and keeping up his spirits with Pernod. However, he confessed to a personal hatred for the fish and gave all he caught to his professional skipper - S/Y Athene of Lymington.
Last Visited & Details Checked (and updated here)
Date of member's visit to this Port/Stop & this page's details validated:
- June 2000 --Atheneoflymington 18:39, 14 January 2010 (UTC)
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| | HOMEPAGE | Wiki Contents | Mediterranean | North Atlantic | France | Saint-Jean-de-Luz | |
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