Biarritz

Surfing at Côte des Basques

This beach hosted Europe's first surf session in 1957 and remains a global longboard hub, drawing pros to its consistent Atlantic …

Hôtel du Palais Exploration

Built for Empress Eugénie in 1855, this opulent palace-turned-hotel symbolizes Biarritz's transformation from whaling village to e…

Rocher de la Vierge Hikes

Gustave Eiffel's footbridge leads to a Virgin Mary statue overlooking cliffs once central to Biarritz's whaling era, offering Pyre…

Grande Plage anchors Biarritz's glamour, framed by the Hôtel du Palais and Casino Barrière with rentable striped tents evoking its royal past. Surfers share space with chic sunbathers under the lighthouse gaze. ***** (5/5)

This beach hosted Europe's first surf session in 1957 and remains a global longboard hub, drawing pros to its consistent Atlantic breaks. The annual Biarritz Surf Festival cements its legendary status. ***** (5/5)

Built for Empress Eugénie in 1855, this opulent palace-turned-hotel symbolizes Biarritz's transformation from whaling village to elite resort. Stroll its gardens for ocean views and imperial history. ***** (5/5)

Gustave Eiffel's footbridge leads to a Virgin Mary statue overlooking cliffs once central to Biarritz's whaling era, offering Pyrenees-to-lighthouse panoramas. ****½ (4.5/5) Spring/Fall

This daily covered market bursts with Basque cheeses, fresh seafood, gateau basque pastries, and vibrant produce, embodying the region's generous culinary soul. Open 7:30am-2pm. ****½ (4.5/5)

Historic crampottes—cliffside huts still used by fishermen—cluster around this sheltered cove, blending working maritime life with family-friendly tidal pools.

Ascend Phare de Biarritz for 360-degree coastal sweeps, a finale to promenade walks past imperial sites.

Empress Eugénie's private chapel dazzles with tiled walls and ornate roofing, a jewel of Second Empire style near the palace.

Home to sharks and seals in 24 tanks, this aquarium highlights Biarritz's oceanic legacy from whaling to marine conservation.

This 12th-century Basque church, restored in the 16th century, anchors the old town's spiritual history amid fishing heritage.

Quieter than Grande Plage, Miramar offers tranquil sands and elegance, ideal for relaxed coastal walks.

The 19th-century église russe, with its iconic blue dome, recalls Biarritz's era as a playground for Russian aristocrats. ***½ (3.5/5)

July 14 brings military marches, parachutists landing on Grande Plage, and fireworks, amplifying Biarritz's festive French Riviera vibe.

Rare Himalayan and Asian artifacts from India, Nepal, Tibet, and China fill this unique collection in a surfing town. ***½ (3.5/5)

Housed in deconsecrated St Andrew's, it chronicles Biarritz's whaling-to-resort evolution. ***½ (3.5/5)

Exhibits trace surfing's Biarritz origins alongside oceanography, blending sport and science.

Hunt gateau basque—custard or cherry-filled pastries—in local patisseries, a signature sweet tied to regional identity.

Spot migrating cetaceans from dramatic headlands like Rocher de la Vierge, nodding to Biarritz's whaling roots. ***½ (3.5/5)

Trace Eugénie's footprint from Chapelle Impériale to Hôtel du Palais along Avenue de l'Impératrice. Spring/Fall

Seafront gaming in a belle époque icon mixes luxury with Biarritz's aristocratic gaming tradition.

Venture into Basque hills near Biarritz for sightings of these wild ponies amid lush forests. ***½ (3.5/5) Spring/Fall

Scenic paths link old town to cliffs, with Instagram vistas of crashing waves. ***½ (3.5/5)

Built in 1898 for the empress, its windows glow over the fisherman's port. ***½ (3.5/5)

The Biarritz Surf Festival since 1993 spotlights world-class longboarding at Côte des Basques. ****½ (4.5/5)

Pedal 4.5km of Anglet beaches nearby, from Adour River to cliffs, for open-air Basque immersion. ***½ (3.5/5) Spring/Fall

Details Biarritz's mix of ritzy resort glamour and surfer vibe, rooted in Napoléon III's era, with tips on beaches and Basque eats. https://www.lonelyplanet.com/destinations/france/southwestern-france/biarritz

Covers history, landmarks like Hôtel du Palais, casinos, surfing culture, and museums including the Museum of the Sea. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biarritz

Lists 10 essentials like Grande Plage and Bastille Day events, highlighting Biarritz as Europe's surf birthplace and royal retreat. https://www.petitesuitcase.com/things-to-do-biarritz-france-guide/

Outlines a walking tour from Les Halles market to Phare de Biarritz, emphasizing food halls and coastal sights. https://www.foratravel.com/guides/JLRD5C/biarritz-france-one-of-the-most-overlooked-destinations-in-the-south-of-sasha-pazanowski

Profiles beaches like Port-Vieux and Rocher de la Vierge, with whaling history and panoramic views. https://www.biarritzbylocals.com/en/what-to-do-where-to-go-biarritz-basque-country/