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France
Nouvelle-Aquitaine
Pyrenees-Atlantiques
Basque Country
Saint-Jean-de-Luz
Things to Do in Saint-Jean-de-Luz
Grande Plage
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Grande Plage

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See all things to do
Grande Plage
4.5
About
Big fine sand beach protected by a bay at the heart of the city. Ideal for the bathing in family with young children. Clubs of beach, rents of tents, deckchairs and parasols. Nautical activities on the spot as paddle board, towed buoys, water-skiing ... Handiplage and Audiobeach next to the lighthouse.
Suggested duration
2-3 hours
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Tripadvisor gives a Travelers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travelers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.

Top ways to experience Grande Plage and nearby attractions

The area
Address
Best nearby
Restaurants
224 within 3 miles
L'Essentiel Restaurant
278
0.1 mi$$ - $$$ • French • European • Healthy
Instincts
217
0.1 mi$$ - $$$ • French • Healthy
Restaurant La Cueva
220
400 ft$$ - $$$ • European • Vegetarian Friendly
Cosy West
168
0.1 mi$$ - $$$ • Dining bars
Toki Goxoa
733
467 ft$ • French • Healthy • Basque
Maison Bargeton Glacier Créateur
156
0.1 mi$ • Dessert
Le Kaiku
1,425
0.2 mi$$$$ • French • European • Basque
Xaya la Cave Gourmande
1,018
0.2 mi$$ - $$$ • French • Healthy • Basque
la boëte
715
0.1 mi$$ - $$$ • French • Seafood • European
Maison Adam
565
0.2 mi$$ - $$$ • Bakeries • French • Basque
See all
Attractions
78 within 6 miles
Promenade Jacques Thibaud
713
0.1 miPiers & Boardwalks
Eglise Saint-Jean-Baptiste
1,487
0.2 miReligious Sites
Casino JOA de St-Jean-de-Luz
82
0.1 miCasinos
La Rue Gambetta
154
0.2 miPoints of Interest & Landmarks
Les Halles
193
0.2 miFarmers Markets
Office de Tourisme de Saint-Jean-de-Luz
120
0.2 miVisitor Centers
Maison Louis XIV
261
0.2 miArchitectural Buildings
Port de Saint-jean-de-Luz.
288
0.3 miScenic Walking Areas
Remy Galichet Champagne
3
0.2 miWineries & Vineyards
Maison de l'Infante Joanoenia
82
0.3 miCastles
See all
See what other travelers are saying
  • Trainbleu
    Brussels, Belgium28,505 contributions
    Lovely beach
    French friends we were visiting in Bayonne took us on an excursion along the coast to Hendaye by car. On the way, we made a stop at the sandy beach in the lovely bay of Saint-Jean-de-Luz. Because the beach is protected by three breakwaters the water is remarkably calm and safe, even for children. On a somewhat chilly day in early May there weren’t many people around but we could see why this beach would be teeming with families in summer.
    Written June 6, 2022
  • seema60
    Toronto, Canada841 contributions
    Beautiful calm beach
    I saw this beach on my walk around Saint Jean de Luz. I regretted not bringing my beach stuff as the water was as calm as a swimming pool. Lots of cabins to rent for shade and the place was full of families enjoying themselves.
    Traveled solo
    Written July 11, 2022
  • Frn15400
    78 contributions
    Plage très bien mais eau douteuse
    Rien a redire sur le plage particulièrement agréable mais l’eau est chargée de particules ( plastique, écailles de peinture et autres matières plus difficiles à identifier) ce qui gâche sérieusement le plaisir.
    Traveled with family
    Written August 21, 2018
These reviews are the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor checks reviews for fraud.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
264 reviews
Excellent
146
Very good
95
Average
16
Poor
3
Terrible
4
Iz M
Bilbao, Spain75 contributions
Little gem
Jul 2017 • Couples
It could be crowded in summer but it is still a great and enjoyable attraction. If you walk 5 minutes to the right side, it would be more relaxed, farther away from the Pergola and de centre of the village.
Written August 3, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
offwegoNottingham
Nottingham28 contributions
Unspoilt beach with nice atmosphere
Jul 2017 • Family
Most beaches in the centre of town can be a bit crowded, dirty and not very restful. This one is none of these things. There are plenty of things for little ones (and not so little ones) to do other than just splash in the sea. There are waves enough to add to the excitement for kids, but not too big to make bathing a challenge. The beach is clean and when we went in July (hot) it wasn't ever crowded. There is a little kids club which looks well run and friendly. Lots of toilets and snack bars nearby. Life guards a plenty. We really loved it here.
Written July 11, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
mitch w
Bordeaux, France795 contributions
Excellent beach for adults and family
Oct 2021
This bay is protected by a series of sea walls keeping the large waves from overwhelming the beach. Regardless, the tide varies high/low by about 6-9 feet. The sand some of the most clean I have ever seen and I grew up on the California coast.
Written October 14, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
lovemedo
Sutton, UK35 contributions
Good situation
Oct 2019
Beautiful water color, transparent as we like, located in the city center, it is practical, clean and free
Written April 23, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
jdc8mbc
California625 contributions
Beautiful beach
Aug 2018 • Couples
This beach is beautiful and can be crowded in sunny weather. It wasn't crowded when we went because dark clouds loomed above indicating a storm (which happened in the middle of the night). There are showers to rinse off sand.
Written August 31, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
OfficeTourismePaysBasque
Thank your for your comment.
Written September 6, 2018
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Thayalan T
27 contributions
It’s a most lovely beach
Aug 2018 • Family
What are you searching for in a beach ? That everything is available in here. It’s full sandy beach with save guards and medical help. Most of the people are tourists and it’s always have big crowd, around the beach it’s full of restaurants and hotels. But all are expensive.problem of the beach is you can’t find parking for your vehicle. It’s.always full. So better find the parking out side the ville
Written August 19, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
2adults2teens
Sydney, Australia72 contributions
beautiful
Sep 2017 • Couples
This is a beautiful grand but sheltered beachfront thanks to the seawall. It is popular with swimmers and further along surfers as well. We were there in early autumn when it was not so busy so it was easy to walk around and enjoy the sea breeze, still warm water and sunshine. It is clearly popular with families and people of all ages.
Written October 18, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Pam M
Newton Abbot, UK103 contributions
Pretty views
Sep 2017 • Couples
This is an excellent beach with wonderful views, great spaces and clear water. Even when the weather is not so good it is wonderful to stand and watch the waves crashing onto the beach.
Written September 25, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Rose T
Exeter, UK484 contributions
Lovely beach - very clean
Jul 2017
I rented an apartment overlooking the beach, so saw every morning how much effort is put into keeping the beach absolutely spotless. Each morning the crew are out there emptying bins and picking up every piece of litter and rubbish. Seaweed and other detritus is also cleared each morning, leaving a beautiful sandy beach. The sea walls provide protection from the worst of the waves making this fairly safe for swimming, and there is lifeguard cover during the Summer too.
Written September 7, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
saronic
Zurich, Switzerland25,642 contributions
the main beach of Saint-Jean-de-Luz
Mar 2022
Once mainly known as a fishing port, Saint-Jean-de-Luz became an important 'station balnéaire' as of the second half of the 19th century, especially after the three sea walls (Digue de Socoa, Digue de l'Artha, Digue de Sainte Barbe) had been built, protecting the beaches in the bay, and also with the arrival of the railway in 1864.

The beautiful main beach with fine sand is the about 1km long Grande Plage, just by the town. At its back is the pedestrian only Promenade Jacques Thibaud. At both ends are piers, one just by the narrow harbour entrance with the Art Deco lighthouse, the other, called 'Digue aux Chevaux' in the north, separating the Grande Plage from the 'Plage Nord Digue Chevaux' and the 'Plage Aux Bleus' below the Sainte Barbe hill. These last two beaches have partly rocks in the water, well visible at low tide.

Across the bay, on the Ciboure side, is the smaller, but also attractive Socoa beach. In the summer season here and at the Grande Plage there is a 'surveillance', while at the two beaches to the north of the horses pier there is none. Kite-surfing is allowed just south of this pier, but only off season.

Behind the Grande Plage and the Promenade Jacques Thiers are the Casino La Pergola with a passageway protruding onto the beach, a building from 1928 by renowned French architect Robert Mallet-Stevens, but with several changes from the 1950's. Here are also the 'Grand Hotel', so-called since 1982, previously having been the Hotel Terminus (1904), then the 'Modern Hotel'. The 'Hotel de l'Angleterre' from 1881 is now called the 'Hotel de la Plage'.
Written January 30, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Grande Plage (Saint-Jean-de-Luz) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go

Frequently Asked Questions about Grande Plage
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