Nestled on the Bay of Biscay, the city of Biarritz attracts tourists from all over the world with its exquisite architecture, luxurious beaches and multifaceted cultural heritage

Biarritz: a luxury resort for the fussy

Biarritz, located on the Atlantic coast in southwestern France, is known for its luxury, natural beauty and fashionable hotels. This seaside resort attracts the rich and famous from around the world because of several key factors.

First of all, Biarritz is famous for its vast beaches and water sports. Wealthy and elite guests can enjoy walking along the sand dune, surfing or golfing on the best courses. Luxury hotels and villas provide exquisite comfort to relax after an active day.

History 

The history of Biarritz is reflected in its exquisite architecture and rich cultural traditions. It was once associated with fishing villages that were in the region as far back as the Middle Ages. In the 11th century, there was a whalers' village here, only the inhabitants knew about it.

In 1650, the first lighthouse was built here. Back in 1843, Victor Hugo predicted that this town would become a popular beach resort. And so it did, long before Emperor Napoleon I took a sea bath here in 1808. Empress Eugenie in 1842 asked Napoleon III to build her a villa and a church named after St. Eugenie.

The villa attracted royalty to Biarritz and the resort became royal. It is therefore not surprising that it was here that Napoleon III met Bismarck, the former Reich Chancellor of the German Empire. Also on Napoleon III's orders, a rock was broken through the old harbor and a secret port was made, the bridge to the rock was designed by the great Eiffel. The rock is named after St. Mary or Madonna, and a sculpture of her is installed there.

During the 18th and 19th centuries, Biarritz became a magnet for aristocrats and celebrities who came here to rest and recuperate. Later in the 19th century, the city became known for its healing properties and became a popular thalassotherapy resort for vacationers.

In 1933, Biarritz built the Art Deco Museum of the Sea, which consists of four levels. The underground floor is occupied by aquariums with more than 150 sea creatures. On the first floor there is an exhibition with skeletons and dolls of whales, killer whales and dolphins caught in the Bay of Biscay.

The price of a ticket to the Aquarium is 16.50 euros for adults, 12 euros for children from 3 to 12 years old, and 14 euros for teenagers up to 17 years old.

Politics

Biarritz was chosen to host the 2019 G-7 summit, at which Donald Tusk, suggested inviting Ukraine rather than russia to the 2020 G7 summit.

Natural Beauty

The beaches of Biarritz are extremely attractive and luxurious. La Grande Plage beach stretches for several kilometers and is an ideal place for relaxing and sunbathing. There is a chic promenade for strolling and there are always plenty of people here to admire the ocean or watch the surfers, who are numerous in every season, conquer their waves.

Culinary Experiences

Biarritz offers fine cuisine combining French and Basque influences and wine tours, which adds to its appeal to gourmets and wine lovers. Michelin-starred restaurants (14!) and wine cells with a world-class selection make the resort appealing to those who appreciate fine taste. 

There are plenty of restaurants and cafés serving local produce and seafood. Be sure to try the famous dessert, Basque pie: tarte tatin with custard and cherries.

Nestled among the plane trees are famous cafes and restaurants where celebrities loved to visit. These include Le Café de Paris and the restaurant, Miremont. If you like burgers, steaks and seafood, visit Octopus Biarritz.

Average lunch cost: €15

There's also an ice cream shop that's been around since 1935. They offer 4 flavors to choose from and a waffle cone ice cream ball costs 2 euros.

Biarritz: a surfer's paradise

The coast of Biarritz is washed by the huge waves of the Atlantic Ocean, creating ideal conditions for surfing. This region is known as the "cradle of surfing": the first surf school in Europe was founded here, and the city itself became the center of world surfing in the middle of the 20th century.

This resort attracts thousands of surfers from all over the world with its magnificent beaches, atmosphere and surf culture. The reason for its popularity is that there are waves for every skill level, so both beginners and experienced surfers will conquer their wave.

Annual surf festivals, competitions and events are an important part of Biarritz's cultural life. It is also worth noting that Biarritz has excellent surfing conditions at any time of year. Many surfers come here even in winter, when the waves are even more powerful and exciting.

The infrastructure for surfers in the city is no less important. Biarritz has many surf schools and rental centers where you can get professional instruction and rent equipment. This makes it very accessible for those who are just starting to learn this exciting sport.

Famous Celebrities

The Yves Saint Laurent Residence in Biarritz

Located on the coast of the Bay of Biscay, the Yves Saint Laurent Residence in Biarritz is a place to relax and rejuvenate your aesthetic experience. Given that Yves Saint Laurent has always considered nature one of his greatest sources of inspiration, the residence also acts as a place where his memories and influence on art are stored. The majestic landscape of Biarritz has been a timeless source of inspiration for him, which he has translated into his collections and designs.

Biarritz is the perfect place to relax and enjoy life, it's beautiful, delicious and has plenty of activities, from sports to shopping in the local stores and Galerie Lafayette.

The town itself is not big and 3 days is enough to get you around and enjoy the scenery. If you have more time, we recommend renting a car and driving to the picturesque town of Saint-Jean-de-Luz.

Neighborhoods

Besides, Biarritz is fortunate to be near the border with Spain, they are separated by a river, so the border itself is across a bridge. Be sure to visit this Basque land as well, and visit the much larger but no less colorful city of San Sebastián.

This region has a record number of Michelin-listed restaurants. And there are even a few that have been awarded 3 Michelin stars. Usually, the reservation queue for such establishments is booked many months in advance, but here is a chance to get into such a restaurant because of their high saturation.

I suggest you visit the Kokotxa , which has a Michelin star, for an unforgettable gastronomic experience.

In general, Biarritz and the area called Basque Country is not just a surfing destination, but a paradise for those who love the ocean, adventure and unique cuisine. Here you can feel the spirit of adventure, enjoying the beauty of nature and exciting waves that create an unforgettable experience for all who visit this wonderful place.