Saint-Jean-de-Luz City Map Poster

About Saint-Jean-de-Luz

Saint-Jean-de-Luz is part of the Basque province of Labourd (Lapurdi). The town has a long history, with settlement dating back to 1000 BC. It was an early area of trade between Spain and France. In 1520, it was made into an independent bayle outside the jurisdiction and control of any lord or king by François I. Its status as a free port allowed the town to become wealthy through trading with other areas in Europe; especially from its wine industry that began in 1531 when King Francis I granted Saint Jean de Luz's first "wine charter".