Holiday in Biarritz

What makes Biarritz special as a destination?

Biarritz on the French Atlantic coast combines the elegance of a Belle Époque seaside resort with the laid-back coolness of an international surf metropolis. The city in the French Basque Country became a fashionable bathing resort for European nobility in the 19th century, thanks to Empress Eugénie, wife of Napoleon III. The Hôtel du Palais, now a luxury hotel, was originally her imperial summer residence. The Grande Plage, the main beach in the heart of the city, is flanked by the casino and the Art Deco building of the hotel. However, the real magnet for international visitors is the Côte des Basques south of the city center — this is where European surfing history began in 1957 when American screenwriter Peter Viertel rode the first waves. Today, Biarritz is the surf capital of Europe with dozens of surf schools, board shapers, and an annual surf festival. The Rocher de la Vierge, a rock in the sea accessible via a metal bridge built by Gustave Eiffel's workshop, offers spectacular views of the coast, the Pyrenees, and on clear days, all the way to the Spanish coast. The Musée de la Mer (Aquarium) and the lively market halls (Les Halles) with Basque specialties like Jambon de Bayonne, Piment d’Espelette, and Gâteau Basque enrich every visit. The proximity to the Spanish San Sebastián (50 minutes), the Basque villages in the hinterland, and the Jurançon wine region make Biarritz the ideal starting point for exploring the French-Basque border region.