Essentials
- City
- Saint-Jean-de-Luz, Pyrénées-Atlantiques, France
- Population
- Approx. 14,300
- Internet Speed
- Reliable fiber optics common; average 95 Mbps
- Currency & Banking
- Euro (EUR); 1 EUR ≈ 1.09 USD. Major banks include BNP Paribas and Crédit Agricole
- Tap Water
- Drinkable and high quality
- Power
- 230V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type C/E sockets
- SIM Card
- Orange, SFR, Free Mobile (Boutique Free in nearby Anglet)
- Banking for Expats
- Revolut, Wise, or local accounts at Société Générale on Boulevard Victor Hugo
- Accommodation
- Seasonal rentals via Airbnb, Le Bon Coin, or agency Agence de la Rhune
- Cashless Friendly
- Yes, cards accepted almost everywhere except small market stalls
- Short Term Rentals
- Airbnb, Abritel, and residences like Pierre & Vacances (from €900/month off-season)
- Budget Accommodation
- Hôtel de la Plage (approx. €85/night) or camping sites like Playa (March prices)
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Old Town (Le Centre) near Rue Gambetta and the Grand Plage
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Sainte-Barbe for views/quiet or Ciboure (across the harbor) for better value
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- The Hub Saint-Jean-de-Luz (Jalday zone) - approx. €25/day
- Best Cafe for Work
- Colors Coffee Shop (Rue du Midi) - Excellent Wi-Fi and specialty coffee
- Networking Events
- French Tech Pays Basque meetups (usually in nearby Bayonne/Biarritz)
- Social Events for Expats
- Internations Biarritz-Bayonne group; 'Les Halles' on Friday evenings
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- Uber (limited availability); Atlantic Taxi (+33 5 59 26 26 12)
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Vélos de la Rhune (Avenue de Verdun) - approx. €20/day
- Best Beach Nearby
- Grande Plage (City center) or Erromardie for a wilder sunset
- Top Regional Airline
- Air France (via Biarritz Pays Basque Airport - BIQ)
- Top International Airline
- Ryanair, EasyJet (Biarritz) or Lufthansa (San Sebastián/Bilbao)
- Highway Access
- A63 (Autoroute de la Côte Basque) connecting to Spain and Bordeaux
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- Gare de Saint-Jean-de-Luz - Ciboure (TGV service to Paris)
- Public Transport Passes
- Hegobus network; €1.20 per trip or monthly passes for €20
- Regional Travel
- TER Trains to Hendaye (for Spain) or Biarritz/Bayonne (15-20 mins)
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- Polyclinique Côte Basque Sud (Saint-Jean-de-Luz)
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- Namaste Yoga (Rue de la République); Loreamar Thalasso & Spa
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- Keep Cool Saint-Jean-de-Luz (Jalday district) - approx. €30/month
- Laundry Services
- Laverie de la Baie (Rue Garat) - approx. €5 per load
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- UberEats is active; local delivery via Lyveat
- Best Local Dish to Try
- TToro (Basque fish stew) at Chez Pablo
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- Toki Goxoa (vegetarian-friendly Basque deli/cafe)
- Best Dessert Spots
- Maison Adam (famous Macarons) and Maison Pariès (Mouchous)
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Les Halles (Indoor Market) on Boulevard Victor Hugo
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Amazon.fr, Cdiscount, Fnac.com
- Grocery Delivery
- Carrefour Drive or E.Leclerc Chez Moi
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- Rue de la République and the area around Place Louis XIV
- Local Brewery
- Brasserie Belharra (Bayonne-based, served locally) or Bob’s Beer
- Wine Bars
- Vinosphere (Rue du Midi) - excellent selection of Irouléguy wines
- Street Food Stalls
- Gâteau Basque stalls at the Tuesday/Friday open-air market
- Popular International Cuisine
- Baan Thai (rue du Midi) for authentic Thai food
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- Maison Louis XIV and Eglise Saint-Jean-Baptiste
- Museums & Art Venues
- Maison de l'Infante (historic residence of the Spanish Princess)
- Historical Sites
- Fort de Socoa (short walk to Ciboure side)
- Religious Sites
- Église Saint-Jean-Baptiste (where Louis XIV was married)
- Annual Events
- Fête de la Musique (June); Sardinades in the harbor (Summer)
- Cultural Districts
- The Port and the historic pedestrian center
- Theater Venues
- Scène Nationale du Sud-Aquitain (Le Select cinema/theater)
- Local Markets
- Marché des Halles (Daily 7am-1pm)
- Music Scene
- Basque Choirs (Chœur d'hommes Oldarra) performing in local churches
- Street Art
- Limited in center; see the 'Artivistes' murals in nearby Bayonne
- Cooking Classes
- Atelier de Cuisine avec le Chef (Ciboure) - approx. €90
- Art Galleries
- Galerie Catherine et Frédéric Portal (Place Louis XIV)
- Historic Buildings
- The Grand Hôtel (Beaux-Arts architecture)
- Local Heritage
- The Basque Beret and Pelota Basque (Jai Alai fronton)
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Sentier du Littoral (Coastal path to Hendaye)
- National Parks Nearby
- Pyrénées National Park (approx. 1.5 hours drive inland)
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- La Vélodyssée (EuroVelo 1) passes through the town
- Scenic Viewpoints
- Pointe de Sainte-Barbe for views of the entire bay
- Birdwatching Locations
- Domaine d'Abbadia (Hendaye, 15 mins away)
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Generally prohibited; check Fête de la Saint-Jean (June) for authorized fires
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- La Poste (Boulevard Victor Hugo), UPS Access Points
- Tech Repair Services
- Wefix (inside Carrefour) or independent shops in Bayonne
- Table Tennis Spots
- Parc Ducontenia (outdoor public tables)
- Language Classes
- France Langue Biarritz (short bus ride away)
- Libraries & Study Spots
- Médiathèque de Saint-Jean-de-Luz (Place Ducontenia)
- Community Centers
- Centre Social Sagardian
- Gaming Lounges
- None locally; VR Galaxy in Anglet (20 mins away)
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- Casino Joa de St Jean de Luz (front de mer)
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. €7,500 per m² (e.g., 30 m² = €225,000)
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. €5,200 per m² (e.g., 30 m² = €156,000)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. €7,000 per m² (e.g., 50 m² = €350,000)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. €4,800 per m² (e.g., 50 m² = €240,000)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. €6,800 per m² (e.g., 75 m² = €510,000)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. €4,500 per m² (e.g., 75 m² = €337,500)
- Corporate Tax
- 25% (Standard French rate)
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 30% (Flat tax / Prélèvement Forfaitaire Unique)
- Tax System
- Worldwide income for residents (>183 days)
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 45% plus potential exceptional contribution
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- Yes, applicable under French Tax Code (Art. 209 B)
- Property Tax
- Taxe Foncière (annual) and Taxe d'Habitation (for second homes)
- Property Transaction Tax
- Approx. 7-8% (Frais de notaire) for existing properties
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- No specific digital nomad visa; utilize 'Auto-Entrepreneur' status for lower social contributions
- VAT
- 20% (Standard rate)