Atlantic coast of France: Biscarrosse

From the author's personal archive
Biscarrosse is a resort town on the Atlantic coast of France that offers the perfect balance between outdoor activities, cultural events and enjoying nature

Biscarrosse, a picturesque town, in the New Aquitaine region — combines the charm of a small coastal village with a rich history and modern tourist amenities. It offers its guests an unforgettable experience with relaxing beaches, exciting water sports, cultural events and delicious French cuisine.

History of Biscarrosse

The history of Biscarrosse is rich and varied. Since medieval times the town has been an important fishing port, playing a significant role in the local economy. Today, Biscarrosse has retained the charm of an old fishing village, where you can find many historic sites including old churches and traditional houses.

Nature and Recreation

Biscarrosse is famous for its magnificent beaches stretching along the Atlantic coast. It is an ideal location for surfing, windsurfing and other water sports. The town is also surrounded by the picturesque Landes Forest, where you can go for walks, bike rides and enjoy the wildlife.

Forêt des Landes

Biscarrosse is surrounded by one of the largest forests in Europe — Forêt des Landes . This forest offers many trails for hiking and biking . While exploring its trails, one can enjoy the silence and beauty of nature while discovering rare species of plants and animals. Forêt des Landes is also known for its pine trees, which are used for resin and wood production. In the forest, you can find specially arranged resting places where you can have a picnic or just relax while enjoying the fresh air and birdsong.

Beaches and water attractions

The most famous among them are Biscarrosse-Plage (Plage de Biscarrosse-Plage ) and Plage South (Plage Sud ). These beaches are ideal for family vacations, sunbathing, kite flying and picnics.

Photo: From the author's personal archive

For outdoor enthusiasts, Biscarrosse offers plenty of water sports opportunities. Surfing , windsurfing, kitesurfing, as well as water-skiing and wakeboarding are extremely popular here. Local schools and rentals of equipment allow both beginners and experienced athletes to enjoy the ocean waves. But keep in mind that the ocean can be treacherous, and you should use a tidal calendar  to swim safely, and avoid back currents .

Photo: From the author's personal archive

Biscarrosse Lakes

Besides the ocean, Biscarrosse is known for its two large freshwater lakes, Great Lake Biscarrosse (Lac de Biscarrosse et de Parentis ) and Little Lake Biscarrosse (Lac de Cazaux et de Sanguinet ). These lakes are popular places for fishing, swimming and sailing. The calm waters here are ideal for family vacations and a variety of water activities.

Cultural Events and Festivals

Biscarrosse is rich in events that attract tourists throughout the year.

Biscarrosse Air Show  is an aviation festival that features exciting aerial performances, aerobatic displays, airplane parades and more.


One of the most popular events is the Surfing Festival, which annually brings together athletes and fans of the sport from all over France and beyond. During the festival there are competitions, master classes and much more. The Biscarrosse Surf Festival 2024 will take place from June 28 to 30.

Photo: From the author's personal archive

Another important cultural event is the Summer Music Festival, which offers open-air concerts, theater performances and dance shows, also known as "Les Océanes de la Radio", took place on June 1, 2024. It is an event that attracts more than 15,000 visitors each year. The festival takes place outdoors near the beaches of Biscarrosse and is free to all participants. Both local and international artists perform, making the event diverse and full of musical performances.

Photo: From the author's personal archive

In the summer, the town also hosts numerous fairs and markets where you can buy local products and souvenirs and experience the real atmosphere of a French town.

Biscarrosse will host BiscaBrac  — that is Biscarrosse Brocante, aka flea market — on July 6, 2024, and you can always check for upcoming garage sales at this site.

Gastronomy

Biscarrosse's gastronomy is a treat in its own right. The town offers a wide range of restaurants and cafés where you can sample local specialties including fresh seafood, fish dishes and traditional French pastries. Markets and stores also offer a large selection of local produce to bring home as souvenirs.

One of the local gastronomic highlights is Chalosse meat, which is renowned for its delicate flavor and high quality. Boeuf de Chalosse is a high-quality beef originating from the Chalosse region in the south of France, in the Landes department. This meat is raised from cattle breeds such as Blonde d'Aquitaine, Limousin or Bazadaise. This meat is matured for at least ten days, which gives it a special flavor and tenderness. It received the PGI in 1996 and the Label Rouge quality mark in 1991, confirming its high quality and adherence to traditional growing methods.

Besides steaks, local cheeses are worth trying, particularly Brebis, made from sheep's milk, they are known for their rich, buttery flavor and creamy texture. They can range from soft and delicate to firm and pronounced in flavor, depending on the maturation process. Look for Ossau-Iraty, Roquefort, Pérail.

And of course, you'll find a variety of wines from the Bordeaux region.

Photo: From the author's personal archive

Tourist Attractions

Most notable among the tourist attractions in Biscarrosse are The Museum of Hydroaviation , where you can learn more about the history and nature of the region and the development of aviation in Biscarrosse and view a unique collection of aircraft and artifacts. For families, the incredible Aquapark is the perfect place to spend a whole day enjoying the water rides and other attractions. Besides water sports, you can enjoy golf , horseback riding or cycling. Numerous attractions and entertainment complexes are open for children and adults.

How to get there

Biscarrosse is about 70 km from Bordeaux, making it easily accessible to tourists. The town can be reached by car, train or bus. The nearest airport is Bordeaux-Mérignac , from where you can continue your journey by ground transportation.

Photo: From the author's personal archive

Biscarrosse is your next tourist destination in France, it is an ideal vacation and tourism destination that combines natural beauty, rich history and modern amenities. Whether you are looking for outdoor activities, exciting adventures on the water, cultural experiences and delicious cuisine or just want to enjoy the beauty of nature, a relaxing vacation on the beach in this French town can meet all your expectations. Visit it and discover all its charms and secrets.

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