Family Best Time >> Travel

48 hours in Saint-Jean-de-Luz

Saturday

9:30 a.m. In the water! Paddle lessons with the Quiksilver surf school (06 86 94 95 27). Easier than surfing:you stand on the "longboard", but you navigate with an oar.

11:30 a.m. We walk along the beach to have a coffee in the sun on the terrace of the Majestic, place Louis XIV.

1 p.m. Head to the Pariès pastry shop (9, rue Gambetta), a must for its Basque cream cake. We take bread for the sandwiches of the picnic on the beach. As for charcuterie and sheep's cheese, you can get your supplies from the Basque producer Pierre Oteiza (10, rue de la République).

3:30 p.m. The sneakers are ours! At Sandals Bayona (60, rue Gambetta), the basics are available in 25 colors! Not to mention wedges, Liberty, bayadère...

4 p.m. We continue shopping in the pedestrian streets with elegant traditional houses. Photo break on the small fishing port, brightened up by the colors of the tuna and sardine boats.

7 p.m. The Grand Hôtel bar (43, bd Thiers) is a must for an aperitif with a view. On a clear day, you can even make out the reliefs of Spain behind the fort of Socoa.

8:30 p.m. Chez Kako (18, rue Harispe), the bodega of Les Halles, enjoy the atmosphere while tasting squid with red onions.

10 p.m. We play extra time at the Pub du Corsaire (16, rue de la République), the place to be.

Sunday

9:30 a.m. Coffee and chocolate at the refreshment bar of the chapel on the hill of Sainte-Barbe, a spot overlooking the bay.

10:30 a.m. Short hike on the coastal path that runs along the ocean for 25 km between Bidart and Hendaye. Saint-Jean-de-Luz is halfway, but the part towards Guéthary is more natural.

1 p.m. Already at Oreka, the Hélianthal thalassotherapy organic restaurant (20, place Maurice-Ravel). Fish tartare with lentils, spelled risotto… So good!

2 p.m. We dive into the salt water of the biomarine course. We go from jet to jet, from whirlpool bath to Scottish shower, looking at the sea through the bay windows that directly overlook the beach. We then take an hour to be pampered at the spa. Massage or facial treatment? It's up to you!

5 p.m. We go to visit the Saint-Jean-Baptiste church where Louis XIV was married. Stop at the Maison Adam (6, rue de la République) to taste the macaroons from the wedding of the Sun King!

8 p.m. Flight to Paris. It's already time to go home!

Here we go!

-We sleep at Almadies, a cozy hotel in the city center. From €85 per double room. Breakfast at 12 €/pers. 58 Gambetta Street. Phone. :05 59 85 34 48, www.hotel-les-almadies.com.

-More info:www.saint-jean-de-luz.com.