DETAILED ITINERARY

Day 1: London to Saint Jean-de-Luz

Begin your rail holiday by departing on a morning Eurostar from London St Pancras to Paris, before changing station for your high-speed train journey to Saint-Jean-de-Luz. Enjoy the scenery outside your window as the TGV heads south through Bordeaux. We recommend you leave London at about 10.20 hrs and reach Saint-Jean-de-Luz just after 20.00 hrs. Your hotel is a short taxi ride from the station. You will spend seven nights here.

Days 2 to 7: In Saint-Jean-de-Luz

You have six full days at leisure to explore the town and the nearby areas. This fishing town is almost on the Pyrenean border between France and Spain, is renowned for its pretty architecture, sandy beach, gastronomy and light. The coastline here is a mixture of cliffs and sandy beaches, creating interesting scenery, and there are the foothills of the Pyrenees in the distance.

This fishing port has a charming town centre, lined with picturesque 17th century shipowners’ houses. Many of the buildings are in the distinctive Basque half-timbered style, often with the beams painted a dark red or green, with matching shutters at the windows.

The main shopping street is pedestrianised and called the Rue Gambetta and it’s here that you can buy the Linge Basque - solid, brightly striped fabrics made into napkins, kitchen towels and tablecloths.

The Church of Saint-Jean-Baptiste was the site of the marriage of Louis XIV in 1660. Its interior makes it a unique religious building, split into three levels, lined by wooden galleries, and adorned with extravagant gold decoration, while in the centre of the main room hangs a model ship, harking back to the nautical history of the town. There is a very popular market, open every day of the week, selling fish, meat, vegetables and local produce, such as sheep’s cheese.

Whilst the obvious beach in the town is called the Grande Plage, flanked by a wide promenade and attractive buildings in local style, there are actually four more sandy beaches: Erromardi, Mayarco, Lafitenia and Cenitz, the latter two popular for surfing. Saint-Jean-de-Luz hosts numerous festivals including a Sardine Festival at the end of July and beginning of August, a classical music festival in September and an International Basque Choral Singing Festival at Halloween.

Take some time to explore nearby regions by train. To the north is the sophisticated and larger resort of Biarritz, around 15 minutes by train. We recommend walking along the coast to reach Rocher de la Vierge where a statue of the Virgin Mary offers panoramic views of the bay.

Further inland is the historic town of Bayonne which can be reached in 25 minutes by train. The cathedral city of Bordeaux can be reached in 2 hours 15 minutes by rail, well known as the historical centre for wine trade in this area, situated on the river Garonne.

Day 8: Saint-Jean-de-Luz to London

Enjoy a final breakfast at your hotel before you check out and take a local taxi to the train station. There is a departure from Saint-Jean-de-Luz at about 09:43 hrs. With a change of train stations in Paris, you will reach London just after 18:30 hrs.

PRICING

Price is based on two adults sharing en-suite accommodation on a bed and breakfast basis. This price includes standard class rail travel, with supplement for standard premier/first class of about £380 per person.

We offer a choice of hotels at different prices, so please discuss your requirements with us. All hotels are subject to availability.

Before your departure, you will receive personalised holiday information, including full directions and suggestions on places to visit, to help you get the most from your trip.

It is essential that you have personal holiday insurance and an appropriate driving licence, if you are planning to hire a car on arrival. The AA and FCO should also be consulted.