Planning a trip to St-Jean-de-Luz

Getting There — Fifteen daily trains arrive from Biarritz (trip time: 11 min.; from 3.70€ one-way), and eight per day arrive from Paris (trip time: 5 hr., 40 min.; from 45€ one-way). For train information and schedules, visit www.sncf-connect.com or call tel. 36-35. Buses pulling into town from other parts of the Basque country arrive at the Gare Routière (tel. 05-59-26-06-99), in front of the railway station. St-Jean-de-Luz is a short drive from Biarritz along N10 south.

Visitor Information — The Office de Tourisme is on 20 bd. Victor Hugo (www.saint-jean-de-luz.com; tel. 05-59-26-03-16).

Special Events — In July and August on Wednesday after 10:30pm and Sunday after 10:30pm, people pile into place Louis-XIV to take part in Toro de Fuego, a celebration of the bull. Revelers take to the streets to dance and watch fireworks. The highlight of the festivities is a snorting papier-mâché bull carried around place Louis-XIV. During the second half of June, the city celebrates the Festival of St-Jean (Fêtes Patronales de la Saint Jean) with concerts and a series of food kiosks along the harborfront. For four days during the first half of October, the Festival International du Film (www.fifsaintjeandeluz.com; tel. 05-59-85-80-81), has grown more ambitious over recent years. For information about festivals, contact the Office de Tourisme.