There are a lot of issues to do in Biarritz past sunbathing or studying to surf. As one of many gateways to France’s Basque Nation, you may discover Belle Époque structure, full of life markets and deep-rooted Basque meals traditions. This text highlights the very best issues to do in Biarritz in the event you love tradition and historical past.
There’s one thing within the air in Biarritz… I’ve felt it since I first stepped into this city with my dad and mom so a few years in the past.
Just lately, I returned, and the identical one thing was nonetheless there — a mix of sharp fragrance emanating from genteel little previous girls, the light patter of naked ft from surfer dudes, and salt thickened air and sunsets that might match these over the South China Sea.
It is laborious to consider that this as soon as modest fishing village grew to become a year-round magnet for the glitterati of not one, however two eras – the Second Empire and the Belle Époque.
Biarritz at the moment
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Biarritz fundamentals
Biarritz has no scarcity of locations to go to, but when I needed to prune my checklist to solely embrace probably the most well-known, I would provide you with these as Biarritz must-sees (a couple of less-famous ones are listed additional down.)
One of the nice issues to do in Biarritz is merely to walk alongside the 6km of beachfront, the promenade that swings across the coast, or up and down the hills.
As you stroll, you’ll go imperial villas, Artwork Nouveau façades and Belle Époque cafés — reminders that this was as soon as a royal and aristocratic playground.
La Grande Plage
My favourite seaside is the Grande Plage, and I don’t tire of admiring the Artwork Deco on line casino that stands on the prime of the seaside. Simply sit and sip a drink or espresso and anticipate the sundown, watching the waves, a paradise for surfers however much less welcoming for the typical swimmer.
A number of surf colleges function right here, making it a great spot for newbies. At sundown, all of the surfers make their approach out of the ocean, surfboards underneath their arms, squeezing each final second of daylight from the sky.
The Grande Plage at sundown ©OffbeatFranceRocher de la Vierge
This intriguing promontory can solely be reached through a footbridge constructed by Napoleon III’s engineers. The Virgin statue, added in 1865, remembers native fishermen who survived a violent storm after praying for her safety. From right here, you may love the views that sweep throughout the Bay of Biscay and alongside the Basque coast.
A cloudy day over the Rocher de la Vierge in Biarritz ©OffbeatFranceBiarritz’s ocean-themed museums
The Musée de la Mer is housed in a 1933 Artwork Deco constructing dealing with the ocean, and is a mixture of native historical past and marine life, particularly the city’s whaling heritage. A brief distance away is the fashionable Cité de l’Océan et du Surf, which is extra about ocean science and surf tradition. Each are perfect for households, after all, however for everybody, particularly on a sizzling summer time day.
The fabulous Artwork Deco strains of the Musée de la MerLes Halles de Biarritz
This occurs to be one among my favourite Biarritz stops however I do not suggest it in the event you’re on a weight loss plan. It is a big lined market recognized for its Basque specialties, from cured hams and sheep’s milk cheeses to espelette pepper merchandise and contemporary seafood stalls. For those who’re heading off on a picnic, that is THE place to fill your picnic basket.
The fantastic cheeses of Les Halles in BiarritzFor those who’re keen on Basque tapas — the pintxo, a slice of bread topped with numerous elements and pinned along with a toothpick — you’ll discover a number of cafés round Les Halles. Half a dozen can fill you up as a lot as a lightweight meal. Some pairings are surprisingly creative, like chorizo, mayonnaise, anchovy, peppers, and olive, for instance. Or loads of easier fare. Do not miss these!
A typical show of pintxos in one of many bars close to Les Halles in Biarritz ©OffbeatFranceWOULD YOU LIKE MORE BIARRITZ BACKSTORY?
Would you like a greater understanding of what you are seeing?
Reserve one among these strolling excursions of Biarritz!
Lesser-known corners of Biarritz
These had been the classics.
For those who’re interested in Biarritz’s previous reasonably than simply its surroundings, head for the locations that also carry the city’s imperial and Basque roots — from cliffside villas and historic harbors to a Belle Époque lighthouse and a Russian church.
Port des Pêcheurs
It is a small Nineteenth-century fishing harbor tucked between cliffs. Lined with modest fishermen’s cottages, their doorways and shutters painted typical basque colours, it’s now a quiet spot for a stroll and a seafood meal.
Phare de Biarritz
This superb lighthouse dates again to 1834 and is on the northern tip of city, the place the lengthy sandy seashores of the Landes give method to the rugged Basque shoreline. For those who’re feeling energetic and within the temper for some panoramic views, they’re solely 248 steps away.
Biarritz lighthouse at evening ©OffbeatFranceRussian Orthodox Church
Why, you ask? As a result of through the Belle Époque, Biarritz was stuffed with wintering Russian aristocrats. Now, its small, blue-domed chapel, consecrated in 1892, displays the group’s émigré heritage.
Villa Belza
This late-Nineteenth-century Gothic Revival villa is one one among Biarritz’s most photographed buildings. Learn its full story beneath.
THE VILLA BELZA
Doesn’t the Villa Belza look just a bit bit haunted?
Would not the silhouette remind you of a sure film that concerned a knife, a bathe curtain and a little bit of bloodshed?
This neo-gothic villa is probably not haunted, however it does have a chequered historical past. Constructed on the top of Biarritz’s reputation, it’s one among many luxurious Nineteenth-century architectural gems within the metropolis.
It burned to the bottom not less than as soon as (presumably twice), it starred in a film (and was burgled on account of that fleeting fame) and in 1923 it grew to become a restaurant, the Chateau Basque, run by exiled White Russians. It was recognized for its wild events for some time, finally requisitioned by the Nazis throughout World Struggle II.
It was remodeled into condos however you may get a fantastic view from both the Rocher de la Vierge, in the event you stroll out to the outcrop, or from the little seaside at Vieux-Port.
In Basque, ‘belza’ means black. It could appear the villa was named after the unique proprietor’s spouse, who in flip might need been named after a Caribbean governess who had saved the household’s youngsters from sure demise through the French Revolution.
Oh, and it’d look much less haunted on a sunny day.
Biarritz in summer time
Biarritz is commonly referred to as Europe’s browsing capital, and described because the “playground for all issues browsing.”
The seashores in Biarritz, particularly Plage de la Côte des Basques, draw surfers of all ranges, with loads of colleges providing classes and gear leases.
Whereas engaged on the movie The Solar Additionally Rises, screenwriter Peter Viertel — then married to actress Deborah Kerr — introduced alongside his California surfboard. What started as a curiosity for onlookers quickly grew to become a spectacle, and the game caught on so rapidly that Biarritz would go on to assert the title of Europe’s browsing capital.
That is why you may discover round 20 browsing colleges right here, together with loads of surf hostels and surf retailers all through city.
Summer time can also be pageant time, just like the Biarritz Surf Pageant, including music and cultural occasions to the rhythm of the waves.
Biarritz in winter
Biarritz isn’t solely a summer time vacation spot.
The town has a long-entrenched spa tradition, notably thalassotherapy, which makes use of heated seawater for therapeutic remedies.
In winter, when the tempo slows and the seashores develop quieter, spas supply a special method to benefit from the coast.
Biarritz is stuffed with chocolate, which is much extra pleasurable in winter. Drop by Henriet for some initially designed bits or for my favourite, marzipan.
Empire and the Belle Époque in Biarritz
Earlier than the Second Empire in France, that of Emperor Napoleon III and his spouse Eugénie, this was a quiet whaling village. Its metamorphosis right into a playground for European royalty was fast and spectacular.
All of it occurred as a result of Eugénie fell in love with Biarritz — and the place an empress went, the Nineteenth-century elite adopted.
When Eugénie first visited in 1854, the ocean air reminded her of her native Spain. Napoleon III had a villa constructed for her on the dunes — the Villa Eugénie, later expanded into the Hôtel du Palais — and so they began spending every summer time right here.
Their presence acted like a magnet: Europe’s topped heads, aristocrats, rich industrialists, everybody wished to see and be seen in Biarritz. Quickly, the modest seaside city was dotted with grand villas and inns, with casinos and locations of leisure to fill these hours not spent hobnobbing, bathing, or eating.
That glamor survived the autumn of the Second Empire in 1870 and was revived through the Belle Époque, when new guests — from Russian aristocrats to rich Individuals — stored Biarritz on the coronary heart of Europe’s social season, all of it made simpler by the brand new roads and rail connections.
There’s nonetheless rather a lot to see from these two eras… together with…
Hôtel du Palais
Inbuilt 1854 as Eugénie’s summer time villa, it was later remodeled right into a grand lodge. Totally renovated not too long ago, it is a luxurious five-star keep you may keep in mind, for the setting and the pampering Empire-style, but additionally for the immense historical past it carries. You may reserve your room right here.
Imperial Chapel
This was constructed particularly for Empress Eugénie and is value a go to in the event you occur to be in Biarritz when it is open, normally one or two days every week – and you may have to order. The architect was Paul Louis Boeswillwald, a scholar of Eugene Viollet-le-Duc, the influential restoration architect recognized for his work on Notre-Dame-de-Paris and Carcassonne.
Belle Époque villas
Many Nineteenth-century homes survive within the streets behind the Grande Plage, with eclectic façades that trace on the period’s wealth and magnificence. I say façades as a result of most of them, just like the Villa Belza or Villa Cyrano, are personal residences and cannot be visited. Villa Natacha is among the few you’ll be able to go to, because it now belongs to the town and hosts a number of municipal companies. And there is all the time the Resort du Palais…
Biarritz’s Basque heritage
Biarritz’s tradition is deeply tied to the Basque Nation, and its markets, bakeries, and small workshops maintain these traditions alive.
From historic pastries to artisanal footwear, you may discover proof of its Basque regional roots throughout city.
- Les Halles de Biarritz – This lined market was equipped for over a century by Basque farmers, cheesemakers and fishermen. At this time you may discover scrumptious sheep’s milk cheeses, cured meats, pastries, and loads of contemporary seafood.
- Chocolate retailers – Biarritz’s chocolate-making custom dates again generations and you will find loads of selection at Henriet and Paries.
- Gâteau basque – This dense cake stuffed with pastry cream or black cherry jam is a Basque basic. Maison Adam and Miremont are among the many best-known makers.
- Espadrille retailers – This conventional canvas-and-rope shoe originated within the Pyrenees and has been worn throughout Basque Nation for hundreds of years. Small-scale manufacturing continues in Biarritz, with workshops corresponding to Don Quichosse and Prodiso.
- Basque meals – The Spanish facet of the Basque Nation has among the greatest cooks on this planet, so it will not shock you that among the greatest eating places in Biarritz are world class. You will discover all forms of cuisines right here, however I really loved the Basque delicacies almost all over the place I went.
Scrumptious gateaux basques, typical of the rgion ©OffbeatFrance
Domestically produced espadrilles, nonetheless very a lot used at the momentCheese store within the Halles de BiarritzDay journeys from Biarritz
A part of the curiosity of Biarritz is its central location. You could be over the border in Spain, San Sebastian particularly, in underneath an hour’s drive.
THIS ONE-DAY SPANISH EXTRAVAGANZA TAKES YOU TO…
- San Sebastian
- Bilbao
- The Guggenheim Museum
- Lunch in a pintxos bar
Get picked up in Biarritz or Bayonne and spend the day within the Spanish a part of the Basque nation.
Inside France, there’s additionally lots to see in a day.
Listed below are a couple of ideas:
- Bayonne – former port for whale oil and cod, later well-known for chocolate-making launched by Jewish refugees from Spain and Portugal within the seventeenth century
- Saint-Jean-de-Luz – fishing port with each pirate and royal wedding ceremony historical past, website of Louis XIV’s wedding ceremony to the Spanish Infanta in 1660
- Hendaye or Hondarribia, Guethary or Bidard – Basque cities alongside the coast
- Anglet – go to the spa for the day, or go to my favourite artwork gallery, Artwork Traffik
- Basque nation inside – as a result of it is so near the coast, there are a number of locations you’ll be able to simply attain in a day; decide and select from this one-week street journey itinerary
Typical homes of Bayonne ©OffbeatFrance
A winter view of Place Louis XIV in Saint-Jean-de-Luz ©OffbeatFrance
Artwork Traffik in Anglet, my favourite artwork gallery ©OffbeatFranceSuggestions on your Biarritz journey
Attending to Biarritz and getting round
The closest prepare station is Gare de Biarritz, about 3 km from the middle (you’ll be able to purchase your prepare tickets right here).
Native buses and taxis join the station with the seaside space. Biarritz additionally has a small airport with flights from Paris and different European cities.
The middle of city is compact and walkable, however native buses – particularly the free shuttle – cowl close by seashores and neighborhoods and are frequent (and electrical).
For day journeys into the Basque Nation, regional trains and buses can be found with the Txik Txak public transportation community.
The place to remain in Biarritz
- Upmarket: Resort du Palais, for unbridled luxurious – Empress Eugenie’s former residence
- Mid-range: Café de Paris, proper on the prime of the Grande Plage – can’t beat the views
- Price range: La Maison du Lierre, totally charming and within the very coronary heart of Biarritz or Resort Jules Verne, trendy and with loads of parking throughout the road in the event you’re coming by automotive
Earlier than you go…
If this has sparked your curiosity within the French Basque nation, don’t cease at Biarritz.
You’ll discover lots extra to discover in the remainder of the area, from the chocolate traditions of Bayonne to the fishing ports (and royal wedding ceremony historical past) of Saint-Jean-de-Luz.
If you would like to know extra about French and Basque historical past, you may take pleasure in my current Substack story on the Paix des Dames — a dramatic hostage alternate and peace treaty that befell only a few kilometers south of Biarritz, on the Bidasoa River between France and Spain.
And if you would like to discover the area’s conventional crafts, I’ve linked to a separate web page on basic Basque merchandise, from espadrilles and berets to pottery and leatherwork.
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