Biarritz is a very popular, busy and fashionable seaside resort. It lies on the coastline of the Bay of Biscay in the region of Aquitaine of south-western France, just 18 kilometres from the border with Spain. It is well known for its location as it overlooks a stunning bay and a beautiful sandy beach, and offers a unique, relaxed and casual atmosphere. Biarritz it also famous for its wild and rocky coastline, which is washed by the Atlantic Ocean, and its surrounding countryside, that is known as the ‘Basque Country’. This charming and attractive, lively city offers a host of fine restaurants, some of France’s best boutique shopping and great opportunities to enjoy some of the best surfing in France.
Historically, Biarritz was once a thriving whaling centre and was popularised during the 18th century due to the therapeutic benefits of the sea. Biarritz was transformed into a fashionable seaside resort when in 1854 Napoleon III built a palace on the beach for his wife, Empress Eugenie, which today is the Hotel du Palais. From the late19th century, Biarritz was frequented by royalty and those that are recognised as rich or famous, and gradually became ‘the’ place to be seen. Today this historic city, with its unique 19th century art-deco facades attracts a diverse range of visitors, drawn here for many things such as the mild climate, good surfing, the 6 kilometres of beautiful golden sandy beaches, casinos, golf courses, seawater therapy centres (thalassotherapy centres), shopping, bars, night clubs, and the gastronomic delights that can be enjoyed from the seaside cafes to the five star restaurants.
Overlooking the rock studded waters which lie beyond the Grand Plage, Biarritz boasts a few places of interest apart from its seaside activities which include the Biarritz Marine Museum that contains 150 fish and invertebrate species from the Bay of Biscay – the historic Lighthouse of Cape St Martin which was built in 1834 and claims to stand 73 metres high – the Church of St Eugenie which was the Imperial Chapel built in 1864 for the Empress Eugenie – the picturesque and colourful Fisherman’s Wharf – the Asiatica, the Museum of Oriental Art – Biarritz Historical Museum – Chocolate Museum and several art galleries. If you are looking for a few more activities make the short trip to Bayonne which lies just a few kilometres from Biarritz. This historic city is home to Roman and medieval city walls and more importantly one of France’s grand museums, the Museum Bonnat, plus the Basque Museum which contains exhibits of their people and culture, and 130 Roman and Gothic cellars.
Surrounded by the beautiful countryside of the Pyrenees-Atlantic department of the Region of Aquitaine, Biarritz makes the perfect centre from which visitors can explore this unique area known as the ‘Basque Country’ that is full of outstanding natural beauty. Comprised of snow-capped peaks, gorges, caves and waterfalls the area includes not only the large city of Biarritz, but small coastal resorts and numerous charming Basque villages.
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