Port information & tips for St. Jean de Luz
St. Jean de Luz is a picturesque jewel of the French Basque Country and impresses with its sheltered location in a beautiful bay at the foot of the Pyrenees. The charming seaside resort enchants guests with authentic Basque architecture, red and white half-timbered houses, and a lively promenade along the golden sandy beach Grande Plage. Cultural highlights such as the historic church Église Saint-Jean-Baptiste, where Louis XIV once married, and the magnificent Maison de l'Infante right on the water offer fascinating insights into royal history. Cruise ships usually anchor in the bay, while tender boats bring guests directly to the central Quai du Maréchal Leclerc. From this landing pier, travelers can easily reach the historic center and the welcoming pedestrian zones within just a few minutes' walk.
Charming Saint-Jean-de-Luz in the French Basque Country welcomes cruise guests to its picturesque bay. As cruise ships usually anchor here, arrival at the city center is conveniently made by tender boat. The disembarkation point is centrally located, so that exploration of the city can begin directly on foot.
Car
For arrival by car from the DACH region, the A63 motorway leads directly into the French Basque Country. For Saint-Jean-de-Luz, use exits n°3 "Saint-Jean-de-Luz-Nord" or n°2 "Saint-Jean-de-Luz-Sud", which will quickly guide you to your destination. Several parking options are available in the city area, including the Saint-Jean-de-Luz Harbour Car Park (Indigo Group) with over 400 parking spaces, as well as the Indigo Coeur de Ville and Indigo Grande Plage car parks, which offer secure short- and long-term parking.
Train
Saint-Jean-de-Luz-Ciboure railway station is advantageously located in the city center and is an important stop on the Bordeaux-Irun route, served by TGV and regional trains. Thanks to its central location, you can easily reach the harbor and surrounding sights on foot within a few minutes. Directly opposite the station you will also find the bus stop for onward travel in the region.
Airplane
The nearest airport is Biarritz (BIQ), located about 14 to 18 kilometers from Saint-Jean-de-Luz. From there, bus connections (Txik Txak) operate to the "Halte Routière ~ Autobus Geltokia" stop in Saint-Jean-de-Luz with a travel time of around 33 minutes. A good alternative is San Sebastián Airport (EAS) in Spain, around 27 to 33 kilometers away. Due to the longer flight time, we recommend that guests from the DACH region arrive the day before and stay overnight in one of the region's charming hotels to start their cruise relaxed. For transfers from San Sebastián Airport to Saint-Jean-de-Luz, a pre-booked private transfer is the most comfortable choice due to the proximity to the border.
Check-in & Embarkation
Please note that you will usually receive a fixed time slot for check-in with your travel documents, which is binding for your embarkation. Please plan sufficient time for your journey to the port accordingly and take into account that the latest embarkation time - depending on the cruise line and destination area - is usually scheduled about one hour before the planned departure.
The same applies during the cruise: for shore excursions, you should be back on board no later than one hour before departure. Always pay attention to the current announcements and notices on board, as mooring and departure times can change at short notice.
Charming Saint-Jean-de-Luz in the French Basque Country welcomes cruise guests to its picturesque bay. As cruise ships usually anchor here, arrival at the city center is conveniently made by tender boat. The disembarkation point is centrally located, so that exploration of the city can begin directly on foot.
Car
For arrival by car from the DACH region, the A63 motorway leads directly into the French Basque Country. For Saint-Jean-de-Luz, use exits n°3 "Saint-Jean-de-Luz-Nord" or n°2 "Saint-Jean-de-Luz-Sud", which will quickly guide you to your destination. Several parking options are available in the city area, including the Saint-Jean-de-Luz Harbour Car Park (Indigo Group) with over 400 parking spaces, as well as the Indigo Coeur de Ville and Indigo Grande Plage car parks, which offer secure short- and long-term parking.
Train
Saint-Jean-de-Luz-Ciboure railway station is advantageously located in the city center and is an important stop on the Bordeaux-Irun route, served by TGV and regional trains. Thanks to its central location, you can easily reach the harbor and surrounding sights on foot within a few minutes. Directly opposite the station you will also find the bus stop for onward travel in the region.
Airplane
The nearest airport is Biarritz (BIQ), located about 14 to 18 kilometers from Saint-Jean-de-Luz. From there, bus connections (Txik Txak) operate to the "Halte Routière ~ Autobus Geltokia" stop in Saint-Jean-de-Luz with a travel time of around 33 minutes. A good alternative is San Sebastián Airport (EAS) in Spain, around 27 to 33 kilometers away. Due to the longer flight time, we recommend that guests from the DACH region arrive the day before and stay overnight in one of the region's charming hotels to start their cruise relaxed. For transfers from San Sebastián Airport to Saint-Jean-de-Luz, a pre-booked private transfer is the most comfortable choice due to the proximity to the border.
Check-in & Embarkation
Please note that you will usually receive a fixed time slot for check-in with your travel documents, which is binding for your embarkation. Please plan sufficient time for your journey to the port accordingly and take into account that the latest embarkation time - depending on the cruise line and destination area - is usually scheduled about one hour before the planned departure.
The same applies during the cruise: for shore excursions, you should be back on board no later than one hour before departure. Always pay attention to the current announcements and notices on board, as mooring and departure times can change at short notice.
In St. Jean de Luz, the tender boat takes you directly into the heart of the Basque idyll, allowing you to arrive right next to the picturesque town center. The pier at Quai de l'Infante offers an ideal starting point for a relaxed shore excursion.
On Foot
The historic center with its charming alleys and the main bay lie right in front of the pier. You can reach the famous Place Louis XIV and the extensive sandy beach in less than five minutes and can easily explore all the sights during a stroll.
Le Passeur (Water Taxi)
The small water taxi named Le Passeur regularly connects the port of St. Jean de Luz with the opposite town of Ciboure. Thanks to this quick connection across the water, you can reach the neighboring harbor and its historic fortifications in no time at all.
Taxis and Regional Transport
The central taxi rank and the train station are located only about a ten-minute walk from the pier. From there, local Hegobus buses as well as regional trains allow for comfortable onward travel to nearby destinations such as Biarritz or Hendaye.
To make the most of your stay in St. Jean de Luz, we recommend focusing on the charming historic town center and the picturesque bay, both of which are easily accessible on foot from the harbor.
Place Louis XIV & Rue Gambetta
This bustling main square, with its shaded plane trees and magnificent historic houses, forms the heart of the town. Additionally, the adjacent pedestrian zone with its traditional shops invites you to stroll through Basque culture.
Grande Plage
The expansive, fine-sand beach is sheltered within the horseshoe-shaped bay and, thanks to the elegant promenade, is perfect for a relaxing stroll with views of the impressive Belle Époque villas.
Église Saint-Jean-Baptiste
This significant church is world-famous as the site of the royal wedding of Louis XIV and fascinates visitors today with its monumental gilded altar screen and the multi-story wooden galleries typical of the Basque Country.
Grande Plage
The Grande Plage of Saint-Jean-de-Luz is located directly in the heart of the charming coastal town and is easily accessible from the port in just a few minutes on foot. This extensive sandy beach, protected by historic breakwaters, offers ideal conditions for a relaxing swim in the calm bay and impresses with its elegant Basque atmosphere. Along the picturesque promenade, you will find excellent infrastructure with stylish cafés as well as the characteristic striped beach tents that give the location an exclusive charm. It is best to visit the beach directly in the morning to enjoy the gentle morning sun, and take advantage of the excellent location for a short stroll through the adjacent shopping streets before returning to the ship on time and stress-free.
The way back to the port of St. Jean de Luz is particularly relaxed and straightforward, thanks to the central location of the tender pier.
On Foot
From the central Place Louis XIV or the main beach Grande Plage, you can reach the Quai de l'Infante in just a few minutes' walk. The path leads through the bustling pedestrian zones and is always easy to find, thanks to its prominent location right on the waterfront and good signage.
Taxi
Should you return from excursions in the surrounding area, you will find a central taxi rank right at the Gare de Saint-Jean-de-Luz train station. In addition, staff at larger hotels, such as the Grand Hôtel, will gladly call a vehicle for the short and comfortable drive directly to the tender boat quay.
Bus and Train
The regional Hegobus lines as well as the trains from Biarritz stop at the central bus station and the adjacent station grounds. From there, you can enjoy a comfortable stroll along Boulevard Victor Hugo directly to the harbor basin, reaching your next tender ferry back to the ship right on time thanks to the short distances.
