Biarritz, a glamorous coastal city in the southwest of France, is famous for its beautiful beaches, surf culture, and elegant architecture. Visitors can enjoy top-notch surfing, explore exclusive shops, and dine in gourmet restaurants. Biarritz's unique blend of Basque heritage and sophisticated charm makes it a premier destination on the Atlantic coast.
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In the heart of the fashionable seaside resort, the brick facade of the small Imperial Chapel appears almost modest. Empress Eugénie commissioned its construction in 1864. The magnificent interior combines Romanesque-Byzantine and Hispano-Moorish wall paintings, azulejos, and enamel medallions in gold and bright colors. The building is dedicated to the Black Madonna of Our Lady of Guadalupe (Mexico).
At the beginning of the 19th century, Captain François Mazon bequeathed the property to the children of his hometown. Therefore, in the enchanting public garden with rhododendrons and azaleas, you will also find two large playgrounds. A highlight commemorates the donor of the park: it is a two-masted ship for playing and romping.
Marbella Beach, accessible via a steep staircase, adjoins the Côte des Basque of Biarritz to the south. This golden-yellow stretch of beach is calm. It is considered a popular surf spot. Several surf schools offer courses for beginners. In the high season, lifeguards watch over the safety of the guests.
Something south of the fishing port of Biarritz, the neo-Gothic church Sainte-Eugénie catches your attention. In addition to beautiful stained glass windows, it holds other treasures. Visit the crypt with the grave of Father Gaston Larre, the first pastor of the parish. In the cool, atmospheric rooms with arches and brick vaulted ceilings, art exhibitions are regularly held.
In the Basque Country in the far southwest of France, Biarritz combines a glamorous flair with carefree beach pleasures. The sun-drenched coastal town is located in a picturesque bay directly on the deep blue Atlantic and is considered a hotspot for surfers from all over the world. Surfing is omnipresent in Biarritz. This is evidenced by numerous shops and rental stations for boards and wetsuits, as well as 18 surf schools. Spending the first day in Biarritz on the waves of the vast ocean guarantees pure feelings of happiness. Those who prefer to stay on land can take a walk along the promenade of the Grande Plage, enjoy the fresh sea breeze, and watch as one perfect wave after another builds up. The best view of the action can be enjoyed from the Phare de Biarritz, the city's bright white lighthouse on the stormy Pointe Saint-Martin. Surf simulators and fascinating exhibitions on the theme of the sea are offered by the interactive and immersive experience museum Cité de l'Océan, including a 4D cinema.
For a long time, Biarritz was just a small whaling village on the western edge of the Pyrenees. In the mid-19th century, Emperor Napoleon III and his wife Eugénie discovered the place in the French Basque Country for themselves and henceforth spent their summer retreat in Biarritz with much illustrious company. A stroll through the streets takes you through an elegant seaside resort with Belle Époque palaces and inviting café terraces. The former residence of the imperial couple, today's Hôtel du Palais, is particularly magnificent. At the Musée Historique de Biarritz, you delve into the city's history and even see a model of the train with which Napoleon III once traveled. Right next door is the market hall L’Ecaillerie full of freshly caught delicacies. Afterwards, head to the neo-Gothic church Sainte-Eugénie at the fishing port. Not far away awaits the world-famous rock formation Rocher de la Vierge, crowned by a white Madonna statue. The Musée de la Mer with 50 aquariums then takes you into the realm of the oceans.
Anyone who spent the previous evening at the Art Deco Casino Barrière right on the Grande Plage or hopped from bar to bar at the old harbor should give their body and soul a soothing break. The treatments at Thalmar, the modern thalassotherapy center in Biarritz, which revolves around the healing power of the sea, are excellent for this. Alternatively, you can spend relaxing hours playing a round of golf. Along the Atlantic coast, in and around Biarritz, eight top-class golf courses await. Biarritz is almost merged with the neighboring port city of Bayonne, which forms the second-largest settlement in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques department at the confluence of the Nive and Adour rivers and can be reached by a short bike ride. Basque half-timbered facades and the Gothic Cathedral of Notre-Dame de Bayonne make an impression. The art collection of the Musée Bonnat-Helleu is also worth seeing. Before cycling back to Biarritz, you should definitely stock up on Bayonne ham and the finest chocolate in the city's delicatessens.