Home /
Location-guide /
Biarritz
The seaside landscapes of Biarritz on the southwest of France overlook the Spanish border nearby as well as the Altantic coast.
Few visitors to the town realize that Biarritz close encounters with Spain’s Basque county influence many aspects of cultural life in Biarritz, including the robust flavors of its regional delights as well as original language.
Its reputation is an ancient fishing village in the Bay of Biscay turned fashionable coastal resort town is unparalleled.
And its rustic seaside retreat was a well-known secret of royal vacationers Napoleon III and Empress Eugenie, thus welcoming even more famous guests such as Queen Victoria and even the acclaimed novelist Ernest Hemingway.
The seafront on the coast is spectacular with an almost un-ending summer season—with its avenue of towering old-fashioned summer homes that the aristocracy once built, against the strong sea waves that invite surfers. A trendy modern-day surfing hotspot on the continent, it is no surprise international surfers gather to Biarritz for its festival celebrating the competitive water sport.
Towards the center of the town, this old-world elegance still pervades, in its streets and public parks and squares. Small shops selling local artisans’ work in pottery as well as hand-made gourmet chocolate complement the laid-back atmosphere of the town. On the other hand, the street performances liven up the slow walks on cobblestone paths in between shops with a surprising repertoire of acrobatics, music and unique entertainment.
Visitors are invited to the contemplative church of Sainte Eugenie, the local lighthouse for splendid harbour views, as well as its world-famous museums that showcase and study a multitude of marine life and the vibrance of Asian art oceans away.
