- Where is Biarritz located?
- Biarritz is an elegant, historic coastal town on France's Basque coast in the Bay of Biscay.
- What is Biarritz's history?
- Starting as a small fishing village, Biarritz became a popular resort for European royalty in the 1800s.
- Why is Biarritz popular with tourists?
- Today, it is famous for its wonderful beaches, Gaelic charm, superb Basque food, and its status as a surfing destination with a number of surfing schools.
- What are the main landmarks in Biarritz?
- The Rocher de la Vierge is a rocky outcrop with a statue of the Virgin Mary and is one of Biarritz's most iconic landmarks.
- Where can you learn about Biarritz's history?
- The best place to learn about the history of Biarritz is at the Biarritz Historical Museum.
- What can visitors see at the Aquarium of Biarritz?
- The Aquarium of Biarritz showcases species that live in the Bay of Biscay and in other places along the Gulf Stream.
This post may include affiliate links. Click here for Affiliate Disclosure.
1. La Grande Plage
Swim in gentle waves and sunbathe on this exciting summer beach escape.
La Grande Plage is the most popular beach in Biarritz. Spacious, with plenty of room for sun worshipers, it is the beach on all Biarritz postcards: extremely photogenic, with red, green, blue and yellow stripped beach huts. Very popular surfing beach, it has several surfing schools, so if you always wanted to learn to surf, now is your opportunity. The beach is lined with the famous promenade, the place to stroll at sunset time, to see and be seen. On the other side of the promenade is the magnificent 19th century Belle Epoque Hotel du Palais built for the Russian Empress Eugenie. Nearby is the Byzantine Chapelle Imperiale church with magnificent gilded walls. At the end of the promenade is the Phare de Biarritz lighthouse.
Biarritz, France
2. Beaches
Explore golden sands and relax by the ocean on an easy coastal trip.
There is a beach for everyone in Biarritz: small and big, sandy and rocky, popular and secluded. LA MILADY is popular among young people and residents and has a nice shallow part for the kids. There is a nice promenade along the beach. LA MARBELLA is the extension of Côte des Basque's beach, wild and rocky and perfect for surfing and bodyboarding. LA COTE DES BASQUE is known as .the Birthplace of Surfing, surrounded by cliffs, with a magnificent view of the Spanish coast. GRANDE PLAGE is picture-perfect, popular touristy beach lined with a promenade and a royal palace hotel. PLAGE DU MIRAMAR is popular with locals, great for taking a stroll but also for surfing and bodyboarding. PORT VIEUX is small and quiet, in the lovely rocky cove, protected from winds and surf, not far from the town center.
Biarritz, France
3. Les Halles
Taste regional flavors and browse local stalls during an affordable foodie adventure.
Les Halles is the heart of Biarritz. Recently renovated, it is more than a market, it is the place where locals and tourists meet. For the locals, it is a way of life. For tourists, it is the place to learn how locals live. Locals go to Les Halles for an early breakfast before going to work. Later in the day they shop for fresh produce and then meet with friends for a drink. They go for fresh oysters at Nopal, truffle omelettes at Maison Balme, sushi at Cora, and a banana bread and green juice at the Milwaukee Café. Tourists come to learn about what grows and is made in the region and try as many local delicacies as possible. There are hundreds of cheeses, ripe, juicy fruits, seasonal veggies, Basque and Spanish hams, chorizo, fish and much more. At night, the whole Les Halles neighbourhood truly comes alive.
Rue des Halles, 64200 Biarritz
4. Festayre
Join lively parades and dance with crowds at this exciting cultural event.
Festayre is a 13,2 km endurance race on the asphalt of the Basque country that starts in Biarritz and ends in Bayonne city. This race that is held every year just before the Fêtes de Bayonne is open to everyone. Participants are asked to be dressed in traditional south west France festival clothes – white shirt and red scarf. There's also a one kilometer-long children's race, La Foulée Ttiki, which is supervised by adults. All participants who complete the race receive an award at the finish line. For the tourists, participating in the race is great opportunity to see the area between the two major Basque cities and learn about the local traditions.
Biarritz, France
5. Le Rocher de la Vierge
Walk along the bridge and admire coastal sights on a scenic weekend visit.
A landmark and symbol of Biarritz, the Rocher de la Vierge is a rock formation in the Bay of Biscay with dramatic views and a statue of Virgin Mary on top. On one side of the Rock is the Grande Plage, the main Biarritz beach, and on the other side is the Basque Coast with the Pyrenee mountains far on the horizon. There is a footbridge that connects La Rocher to the mainland. It is difficult to say whether the view from the rock is more spectacular in good weather or during the storm. The statue of Virgin was installed on the rock in 1865 by grateful fishermen who were not able to reach the port in the storm until they saw the light on the rock, which guided them to the port.
Espl. de la Vierge, 64200 Biarritz, France, Phone: +33-5-59-22-37-10
6. Excursion to San Sebastian
Take a quick cross-border trip and savor tapas in this romantic Spanish town.
Take an Excursion to San Sebastian starting in Bilbao and traves through magnificent area full of history. After traveling through ancient towns and villages, San Sebastian will come as a surprise. It is very modern and cosmopolitan, with wide avenues, magnificent beaches, excellent ‘pintxos’ or tapas restaurants and many trendy shops. There is also much history, with the intricate Church of the Virgen del Coro and the City Hall. Take a stroll on the promenade along the Bay of Biscay, sit in one of many tapas bars with a glass of local wine and enjoy this very different Basque Country.
San Sebastian, Spain
7. Vahine Ori Tahiti
Watch vibrant Tahitian dance and enjoy an unusual cultural performance for all ages.
Vahine Ori Tahiti is an association in Biarritz, France, established in 2008 by Vaiata Maamatuiahutapu in order to promote Polynesian culture and teach Tahitian traditional dances. The association today has 54 dancers including two finalists in the international competition in Paris in 2015. Dancing classes take place in a pleasant, relaxed atmosphere and last from 45 minutes to one hour. There are different classes for different age groups. The students learn two dancing styles: the aparima, in which dancers mimic scenes of everyday life with their hands. The otea is faster and the dancers move to the sounds of percussion instruments. Classes are held at Aristide Briand primary school in Anglet.
6 Allée Léontine Danglade, 64600 Anglet, France, Phone: +33-6-13-40-31-61
8. Espadrilles
Shop local styles and discover this affordable fashion staple on a casual trip.
Espadrilles, popular cloth footwear now worn all over the world, were invented in the Basque Country and Catalonia, and have very humble roots. Before becoming the fashionable summer shoes for French trendy girls, all the way in the 1400s they were common peasant footwear. At the time, wealthy people wore leather shoes. As Basque soldiers fought for Catalan independence, together with the working-class people they were fighting for, they were wearing their traditional espadrilles. In time, espadrilles became popular across the globe, now worn not only by peasants but by celebrities and presidents. Art of Soule company made espadrille fashionable again in 2008 when they came up with the model that has colors of the popular local rugby team. Then they made them in colors of the our de Fance the All Blacks, Sex Pistols, Paris Saint Germain and other popular names. Today, they are one of the most popular Basque export, far more fashionable than sneaker. Nobody leaves Biarritz without taking at least one pair.
28 Rue Gambetta, 64200 Biarritz, France, Phone: +33-6-87-11-76-07
Plan Your Trip
Table of Contents: