From October 1st to 26th, the city of Saint-Jean-de-Luz will come alive with Octobre Gourmand, an event dedicated to the flavors of the Basque Country. For nearly a month, gastronomy will be present throughout the city, from the Halles to Place Foch, including restaurants, the coastline, and even schools.
This edition emphasizes sharing, the very essence of Basque cuisine. Whether around a convivial pintxo, a coffee at the Halles, a large table with friends, or a discussion with a producer, cooking is about encounters. The program highlights local products, chefs, and those who bring taste to life daily.
The kickoff will be on October 3rd and 4th at Place Foch, transformed into a gourmet village with pintxos, tastings, and music. Four Luzian restaurants will offer their creations. A notable new feature is the Pintxo Party on Saturday morning, a two-hour workshop (€20, registration required) to learn how to create your own aperitif buffet with local products. Sunday will be dedicated to the 12th Championnat de Pintxos d’Iparralde, where eight teams of chefs will compete.
A gourmet walk of 7 km is scheduled for Saturday, October 10th, connecting Guéthary to the Halles de Saint-Jean-de-Luz, with four tasting stops for local products. The arrival will coincide with the producers' market at the Halles, thus linking landscape, producers, and the plate.
On Sunday, October 11th, Place Foch will host the Barbecue de la place Foch. Restaurateurs will offer meat, fish, or vegetarian plates for €10. A solidarity aspect will be present with profits from the drinks stand benefiting the fight against breast cancer, as well as the Lions Club's Café Rose at the Halles on October 13th and 15th.
From October 10th to 16th, the Automne au restaurant (Autumn at the restaurant) operation invites you to discover over twenty restaurants in the Basque Country, offering fixed-price menus (€18-25 at lunch, €28-35 in the evening). Restaurants with the Tokikoa label in Saint-Jean-de-Luz will highlight regional products such as AOP Kintoa ham, Pyrenean milk lamb, or fresh fish.
Octobre Gourmand also extends to younger audiences. Kindergarten students from the Centre school will meet producers and products at the Halles. Three Luzian chefs, Bastien Soumoulou, Cédric Marinello, and Bertrand Ducauroy, will share their expertise with the City's central kitchen team, preparing a special meal for over 650 students. On October 18th, the Marché Complice will bring together more than 40 producers.
This 2026 edition introduces innovations like the Pintxo Party and the Barbecue on Place Foch, while retaining its signature events. Throughout October, Saint-Jean-de-Luz promises a gourmet immersion, meant to be shared.
