While St Jean De Luz feels very French, you simply can’t escape the Basque influence on display throughout the village. From the traditional berets to the patisseries (pastry shop) selling regional specialties like Gateau Basque, a cake decorated with the distinct Basque Lauburu (4 headed cross). These firm yet chewy cakes are traditionally filled with cherry or cream fillings. We tried both, and both were worth the stop in St Jean.
Several pastry shops offer the Caneles, a delicate fluted cake flavored with rum and vanilla, and Chez Pascal, sells only one item, Dunes Blanches or cream puffs.
But of all the Patisseries in St Jean De Luz, one shop stands out for their Macarons, Maison Adam, a maker of Veritables Macarons since 1160, with the secret recipe handed down from father to son since the very beginning! This simple cookie, made of almonds, egg and sugar became quite popular among the bourgeoisie after Maria Theresa of Spain gave her husband King Louis XIV macarons during the time of their royal wedding in Saint Jean De Luz, and the King fell in love……...with the Macarons.
And then there is Les Halles, a grand food market offering produce, breads, cheese, charcutterie and on Tuesdays and Fridays the market spills out into the street with the addition of local farm fresh produce and food stalls featuring large sizzling pans of local seafood paella!
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