Why visit Biarritz, what to do there and where to stay in the laid back surf capital of France and the Basque Coast’s most enchanting seaside escape. Because if this place is not on your radar, it really should be.
a bit of history..
Built as a glamorous seaside retreat of Europe’s elite, Biarritz got her imperial stamp of approval in the Gilded Age when Empress Eugénie, wife of Napoleon III, built her summer palace here, today’s magnificent Hôtel du Palais. By the 1920s, this Atlantic resort was in its Jazz Age heyday, drawing artists, aristocrats, and icons like Josephine Baker and Coco Chanel, who graced its sun-soaked promenades and smoky nightclubs.
Perched on the southwestern coast of France, where the Pyrenees meet the sea, Biarritz enjoys a mild microclimate that makes it a year-round destination. I visited in early October and swam in the ocean, proof that the Atlantic’s chill is no match for the region’s soft sunshine.
Today, this once-regal enclave has evolved into the surfer town of France, where bohemian spirit has taken root in Art Deco buildings and seaside cafés. You’ll feel the rhythm of the Basque region everywhere, in the lilting local language, the red-and-white architecture, and the deliciously spiced dishes that celebrate both land and sea.
fisherman’s village
les halles
grilled sardines!
What to Do, See & Eat in Biarritz
Stroll the Grand Plage
The beating heart of Biarritz is its sweeping Grand Plage (Big Beach), a golden crescent of sand framed by Belle Époque architecture. Pause for a drink at Le Café d’Eugénie, tucked into the loggia of the Grand Casino, and watch the world go by: surfers catching waves, children spinning on the darling carousel, couples enjoying ice cream under striped parasols.
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Dine by the sea at the Fishermen’s Village
Wander down to the Port des Pêcheurs, the picturesque little fishing harbor first built under Napoleon III. Grab a table at Casa Juan Pedro for grilled sardines fresh from the ocean, and enjoy the lively scene of locals chatting, seagulls swooping, and the salty breeze on your face.
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Learn to surf at the source
Biarritz is where European surfing was born, and there’s no better place to try it. Book a lesson at one of the town’s excellent surf schools. Locals are famously welcoming to beginners, and the waves at Côte des Basques are both iconic and forgiving.
Visit Les Halles Market
Immerse yourself in Basque flavors at Les Halles de Biarritz, open daily from 7:30 am to 2 pm. Gather picnic provisions like Basque sausage, cheeses, and products featuring the Piment d’Espelette, the bright red pepper that’s become a culinary symbol of the region. Then reward yourself with crispy buckwheat crêpes and a glass of cider at one of the market cafés.
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Taste the local dish
Don’t leave without trying Axoa (pronounced “ashoa”), a hearty Basque sausage, local cheeses, and delicacies featuring Piment d’Espelette spice, or chipirons, small tender squid often grilled and served with garlic and parsley. Pair it all with local rosé or a cold glass of Txakoli, the Basque white wine.
Bonus: Day Trips from Biarritz
Bayonne (15 min drive)
The cultural capital of the French Basque Country, famous for its chocolate, Gothic cathedral, and relaxed riverside cafés.
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San Sebastián, Spain (45 min drive)
Cross the border for a day of pintxos hopping through the old town, followed by a swim at La Concha Beach.
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Espelette (40 min drive)
Espelette pepper is native to the nearby Basque village of Espelette, this mild red pepper was introduced from the New World in the 16th century and became an essential ingredient in Basque cuisine. Today, it holds a coveted AOC designation, protecting its authenticity and heritage. Read more here.
WHEN to GO TO BIARRITZ
All year is good due to the unique climate. If summer heat is too much for you, this is a good place to escape because it typically doesn’t get as hot as most other parts of the South of France and the Atlantic Ocean keep temperatures moderate.
September is the best time when the sea is still warm but summer crowds have gone home, prices are cheaper.
Two or three days is enough to see and do the things you want to see and do if you like to be busy. So I’d recommend this town as a part of a larger itinerary which includes a few days in Paris, and other locales on the West coast of France like Bordeaux or maybe cross the border into Spain for a few days in San Sebastián.
But if you’re a slow Travellur, stay a week to really sink into the laid back rhythm of this coastal town. Take time for long meandering walks on the beach to make sense of the world, reset your nervous system with a day at the sea water spa, drift into sleep to the sound of the waves crashing on the rocks below your cosy seaview room.
Hotel du Palais
Where to STAY IN BIARRITZ
Of course, we want you to stay at the Hôtel du Palais Biarritz, a shimmering symbol of its Gilded Age past. Built in 1855 for Empress Eugénie, this oceanfront palace has hosted everyone from Queen Victoria to Frank Sinatra, its grand halls whispering stories of champagne-soaked soirées and seaside glamour.
But if you want to know about boutique hotels, vacation rentals or where not to stay (because we’ve been and we know if there’s a bad smell or creepy vibe), we’ll guide you only to the best.
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