FRANCE VLOG: French Basque Country...Saint-Jean-de-Luz travel

[@iparipaitegianiparipaitegi4643]

As a native of St Jean de Luz, September is the best season for tourism around here. The weather generally is better than in springtime, the sea temperature warmer than in June, and tourists have gone.

[@martinm2178]

This was a great tour. I am definitely putting it on my list of future places to visit. Thanks for sharing your trip with us.

[@sandrad3346]

What a wonderful France travel vlog! The food looked fantastic! 😊

[@OuiInFrance]

It was! TAPAS=HEAVEN!!

[@jamesbinns8528]

One of the things I love about visiting France is the great cheese and breads. I always bring cheese back to the US with me.

[@Irulan10]

Merci Diane de nous faire découvrir St Jean de Luz, quelle belle ville !

[@OuiInFrance]

Je vous en prie !

[@ajl8198]

Thank you for showing us this beautiful part of France. I have now added it to my bucket list. I agree travelling off season is always the best experience.

[@ntzunsaintjeandeluz]

September is definitely best to come over 😊

[@j-loosenfout67]

Hello *Diana,* If I'm not mistaken, I came to the place where in particular you indicated that the sea was “d'huile” (“a sea of oil” to use a French expression designating a peaceful sea). It's very useful to specify to people who would come to the *Basque coast* during the summer following this magnificent vlog (bravo), to be careful of the ocean. To tell the truth, if you go a little beyond the shopping area that borders the beach (towards the end of the beach, if I remember correctly - it was twenty years ago, lol) this is where the greatest planet surfing champions come. Impressive underwater currents, added to the effect of the backwash of the waves, dig holes with a wall of sand which forms on the beachside, but under the water, you can't see them with the foam from the backwash. This creates an incessant whirlwind inside (like in a washing machine). We walk in 30 cm of water to return to the beach, and suddenly, we fall into one of these holes. You can drown ten meters from the beach and in one cubic meter of water (especially if you start to panic because you can't get your head out to breathe because you're spinning around unending). The beaches of Biarritz, Saint-Jean-de-Luz, etc. often display orange or red flags to indicate swimming may be dangerous, or more radically, to prohibit it altogether. If you are staying on site, and you like the beach and swimming, you've to find out every day. In particular, in the case where you are with children. When the opportunity arises, it's imperative to participate in the Bayonne festivities (It begins on the Wednesday preceding the first weekend of August and ends the following Sunday). In terms of people present, it's unquestionably the biggest party in France (up to 1.5 million people). Come dressed in white and red (preferably with the red Basque beret). The whole city is in these two colors for the duration of the festivities. This year, after this period of confinement and restriction for more than two years, it will surely be the biggest parties we've ever seen here. Friendships from the south of France (Catalan side, Perpignan).

[@OuiInFrance]

Very good info. Thank you! (and thanks for watching)

[@j-loosenfout67]

@@OuiInFrance You're welcome.

[@Joliefleur252]

No surfing in Saint Jean de Luz 😊

[@j-loosenfout67]

@@Joliefleur252 Hello, Yes, possible it is Biarritz. Like I said, there's a long time ago (with a friend we did St J. de Luz, Biarritz, Bayonne, Ciboure, Hendaye, etc. during 3 weeks at the time). But The ocean is the same in these towns and on the Basque coast in general is dangerous. That's what I wanted to zoom😊 Thank you for your precision. Have a nice day.

[@iparipaitegianiparipaitegi4643]

The Bayonne festival is over crowdy, over pricey, too much drunk people fighting each other. Only tourists go there now. The locals have deserted it. We prefer going to smaller towns festivals. More authentic.

[@andyshacks7812]

What a lovely town with an amazing beach. Funnily enough the guy who has the French epicerie up the road from me - his mother lives in St Jean de Luz! It’s definitely on my list. May or June are always the best months to visit anywhere- they are my favourite months of the year. Thanks for a great video Diane !

[@jeanwhite2705]

Hello Diane, I really enjoyed this video from your vacation time in Basque region, especially your ice cream. Violet et rose, sounds wonderful. I have tried lavender ice cream and found it was lovely. The first French macaroon I tried was a Jasmine one while visiting the Eiffel Tower and it was “Amazing”. Flowers can taste as elegant as they smell. Thank you so much for filming and working on your vacation so we could enjoy this part of France.

[@OuiInFrance]

Oh yes, flower flavored everything is so good. I had no idea until I tried it on a whim! Glad you enjoyed this one ;-)

[@russcattell955i]

Basque Country is a kind of different France. I have enjoyed every visit.

[@OuiInFrance]

Such a great area! I can't wait to go back

[@marthacooper2463]

Really enjoyed your video. Going to Basque Country in September. Can’t wait! Marked your shops and cafes on my map.

[@OuiInFrance]

Awesome, thank you. Have fun!

[@magdastar2249]

Omg, a beautiful beach and town. Love the atmosphere and cleanliness. Hubby commented, you even look French 👍👌❤️ Thank you for showing this. 🌿⚘️🌿

[@KTMK1960]

Thanks!

[@kathleensmith8365]

Beautiful relaxing vlog. I'm with you regarding missing crowds! The beach looks so peaceful. Great choices for shops showing items specifically Basque, best kind of souvenir. Thanks for taking us with you! Enjoy your vacation!

[@ansapo]

Such a lovely town - I would gladly visit for a week or so. Thank you for the dreamy video.

[@OuiInFrance]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@catherinekasiewicz8683]

Beautiful vlog! Makes me want to travel 🧳 although funds say otherwise. The views were amazing. I didn’t realize how beautiful France 🇫🇷 really was. I was only there once for a short overnight in Paris.

[@jd3422]

Thanks so much for this, Diane. I have seen a ton of your videos - mostly culture and language, except for the one when you went into a supermarket to buy souvenir food and items there. Outstanding timing, too, since we are going to Saint-Jean-de-Luz immediately after a wedding just across the Spanish border in San Sebastián. I have had this place on my to-see list since I read about it in an article a year or so ago. I appreciate your doing this travelogue video. I'd be happy to see more of them, as they are a diversion from your usual (though well-appreciated) fare where you talk about language and culture. Salut

[@OuiInFrance]

Thanks so much! Have a great time in Saint Jean de Luz and the wedding! If you scroll back a little in my video feed, you'll see a bunch of vlogs and walking tours including Pornic, Angers, La Rochelle, a canal cruise, and more plus behind the scenes at a chocolate shop, my bakery series, a dairy farm and more. I like mixing it up but it's true that during the pandemic I was sidelined due to travel restrictions but I try to do as much as I can and have some fun stuff coming up. ;-)

[@J0HN_D03]

*10:15** Mon dieu! Ossau Iraty, best sheep cheese... raw milk. Magnifique!* 🥰🤤🧀

[@sheilac9759]

Thank you, Diane, for a very interesting and fun tour. If you haven’t visited San Sebastián before, it would be an easy day trip from where you are, and very worth doing. I know you will love the beauty of the town, and there is lots of great food there, too. I really enjoy your videos and have learned so much and been inspired by them. I now live half the year in Nice, and who knows? That could very well become the whole year any day now! So thank you again, and have a wonderful summer.

[@OuiInFrance]

Yup, I was there once on my first trip to Europe when I was 17 and then we did a day trip in May. Great view from the top of the funicular train. Loved St. Sebastian! So happy you enjoy my videos ;-) Thank you

[@kenromero9236]

Another great tour. A friend from Anncey introduced us to a cheese called T’it Basque. Awesome stuff. It sits on a platter with a spike in the center that features a cutting blade used to produce small florets of cheese.

[@OuiInFrance]

Thanks for watching, Ken! I'll keep an eye out for that cheese.

[@lesshustlemorecoffee]

I loved this! So much fun to see what it’s like there! I’m sure I would love the cheese and wine and shops! Thank you for sharing your world with us. I’m from Nashville! Have family in Yulee, Florida close to Jacksonville.

[@OuiInFrance]

Glad you enjoyed!

[@karpfl9237]

What a lovely tour! Merci!

[@OuiInFrance]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@carolyneryan7152]

Thank you for this lovely tour and the little details and tips.

[@OuiInFrance]

You are so welcome!

[@traceyflater]

What a charming and beautiful place!

[@OuiInFrance]

It really is!

[@sherrinewhouse2432]

After touring the chateau and gardens at Villandry, we stop at the small restaurant just outside the entrance to the chateau for violette ice cream. It is exquisite in taste and color. My mother prefers the apricot but all flavors are delicious.

[@OuiInFrance]

It's SUCH a WOW flavor!

[@christianc9894]

J'écris en français car vous le parlez très bien, si vous allez à Nice un jour, vous qui aimez les glaces, allez chez FENOCIO place Rossetti dans la vieille ville, vous serez enchantée.

[@margaretkieler7330]

Next time you go there, make sure you hike up La Rhune. Super cool and gorgeous.

[@Denise-ll7cj]

Ooooh…I LOVE St Jean de Luz! Such a pretty place and easy to travel to Spain too.

[@OuiInFrance]

It really is!

[@laurensargent9471]

Great to learn about Plum Guide. Unfortunately we are visiting in the height of tourist season as my husband has a business trip in Paris. Nothing available. Next time.

[@backtotheblak]

9:35 In France the ''filet mignon'' is pork, the same piece on beef or veal is called the ''onglet'', ''un onglet de boeuf or un onglet de veau''.

[@BertrandNelson-Paris]

Hi Diane. Usually, lifeguards are on duty during the summer season, July and August. The ocean was particularly calm because of the anticyclonic weather you had, the 'Pays Basque' (the french name) is indeed renowned as being a great surf spot with big constant waves.

[@OuiInFrance]

Thanks for the info!

[@eastmarvista3267]

Loved the video. For foreign tourists, are there other eatery options such as Asian, Spanish, Germany, Indian, etc. restaurants?

[@OuiInFrance]

Hi there, glad you enjoyed it. St Jean de Luz is touristy but it's still a small town so you won't have a ton of different eatery options although there is a bit of variety. Best to check Tripadvisor or similar for a full list of restaurants to be sure.

[@amayastrata4629]

I was going to say quince. We make quince jelly in the uk so I assume it’s universal. They do rose ice cream in Fortnum & Masons in Regent Street and it is so lovely. I haven’t seen it anywhere else before. However, I’m in Brittany in a couple of weeks so looking forward to just being in France. We were going to be visiting the southern parts of France in 2020 but of course that was cancelled so will get to it eventually. It looks beautiful though.

[@OuiInFrance]

Hope you get to visit the south one day soon!

[@jamesbinns8528]

My grandmother in southwestern PA (USA) made quince jelly, according to my father. I did see the quince bushes. Quince is grown in the US as an ornamental for landscapes (not as popular now as it was a generation ago.

[@lawrencebaker2318]

Wonderful! I would love to go there!!

[@OuiInFrance]

Definitely make a pit stop if you're in the area!

[@J0HN_D03]

*13:25** You didn't notice the little Twizy cars we can see here! Small French electric car.* 😍🥰🚙

[@dicdicd1767]

Basque country is beautiful thanks for the video

[@mariecoghlan746]

Check out Edward Lear’s The owl and the pussycat’ poem . “They dined on mince and slices of quince” etc. it’s a fruit. My next door neighbour has some here in Ireland. I enjoyed your video very much Diane. Marie

[@OuiInFrance]

Thanks so much!

[@ntzunsaintjeandeluz]

The X word (etxe) means house. You pronounce it /sh/, and /tsh/ with the T. You would find it in many many family names. Here is why : traditionally, the eldest child (girl or boy) would inherit the entire estate. The other ones had to make a life for themselves. The unmarried one were allowed to keep living in the family life and all the generations lived together. The youngest kids would eventually build a house of their own, and name it (we always name our houses). Usually, the house would get its name depending on some geographical or physical characteristics. So it could be, for example, etxeberri would be etxe : house, berri : new. New house. Eventually the family would adopt the houses name as their own. Often, you can find the « etche » spelling ❤

[@ClarkJ2265]

Putting St Jean de luz on my list.

[@cquinnth]

Lovely video...thanks!

[@OuiInFrance]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@botanicaltreasures2408]

Lovely place to wander.

[@OuiInFrance]

It really is!

[@annamarieholstpahus8910]

🇩🇰😊👋 love this kind of content

[@locdluvit8814]

how far is it from Montpellier?

[@cyrilchaufour271]

552km , about 6 hours highway drive

[@erick64bosck3]

About 550 km

[@jean-pierredesoza2340]

Hi Diane, the typical red color is not "burgundy" ! they call it "sang de bœuf" or "sang de taureau", "ox blood" or "bull blood".

[@OuiInFrance]

Hi, thank you but those are all shades of burgundy (deep red). All I meant was that it's not bright yellow or something

[@jean-pierredesoza2340]

@@OuiInFrance I hear you ! I’m just saying : that nuance of red is not a reference to a wine color.

[@elenasabio538]

Wow

[@OuiInFrance]

Thanks for watching!

[@drewjackson987]

Does France Have A Wildfire Season

[@erick64bosck3]

Only on the mediterranean coast.

[@PhenecX]

​@@erick64bosck3On Atlantic coast too.. So much burned here 2 years ago 😢 Almost needed to be evacuated from my house There been wildfire many time but that year been terrible, a lot burned in the Landes forest

[@Joliefleur252]

White wine with cheese and ham 😱😱😱😱..

[@OuiInFrance]

Hhaha, I didn't say I was eating everything I bought together!

[@sylviebasyl2835]

White wine is better than red wine for certain cheeses

[@patrickchambers5999]

Farmer's markets exist around the world, but they never seem to have farmers for sale. LOL I guess they really mean they are markets where farmers sell (market) their wares.

[@OuiInFrance]

👌

[@Unknown-zc1bq]

Why the french people hate their own language when they speak another language

[@EnzoRossi-g4v]

What ? French people no hate the French language

[@baronluigi2738]

​@@EnzoRossi-g4v I guess he was talking about Basque.

[@melaniezette886]

Please don't send us more tourists 😃