01 March 2010

A Weekend in the Pays Basque: Biarritz and St. Jean de Luz

This weekend ended up being the most low-key and relaxing weekend, with several hours spent on the beach (without shoes or jackets!), staring at the sky and the waves and loving life.  It was amazing and beautiful, and I loved every second.  The trip started in Biarritz on Friday, then we went to Saint Jean de Luz (10 min by train) for Saturday, and returned to Biarritz Saturday evening, and hung out there, til Sunday afternoon.


The people were SO NICE.  Everyone spoke to us in French and were glad to help us.  It was just friendly, everywhere we turned.  Also, being a beach community, there was AMAZING seafood.  I was able to have a little paella, and some moules-frites, as well as basque specialties including Bayonne ham, gâteau basque, and basque cheeses, including this one.  It was fantastic.  We slept a lot, watched the waves (so therapeutic) and were able to avoid the deadly winds that whipped through southern France and northern Spain.  Because of the winds, we did not visit the Vierge de la Roche (which was a HUGE missed opportunity, according to my friend's host dad), but, we also didn't get swept into the sea.  I consider this a WIN.  I was just really really glad our beach-side little condo survived and Bordeaux was also in tact upon my return.  So those are the updates, I'll now let the photos make you incredibly jealous.


Here is a view of Biarritz, looking towards the light house.  The large white building touching the right side of the photo is Biarritz's swanky casino.

Here's a look at the waves crashing against a wall, and l'Eglise Sainte Eugénie

A view of the water, looking out towards Spain


The Grande Plage at Saint Jean de Luz, where I walked barefoot, and sat in the sunshine.  GLORIOUS.


Me, soaking up the sun.


The sunset at Saint Jean de Luz, the clouds and sky were SO BEAUTIFUL.


And a last photo of Biarritz from the last day of travel.  The water after the wind was such a bright and vibrant color.

It was an amazing and relaxing trip.  I didn't even mind that everything came back sandy!  And I bought a WONDERFUL cotton scarf with a very pretty pattern and color-combination, that still smells like the ocean.  Overall, very happy.  Looking forward to later travels in Southern France!  All for now!

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