Biarritz is a small city located in the French Basque Country, in the Aquitaine region. The city is beautiful, with important historical architecture, with palaces and valleys dating back to the 19th century. This legacy is due to the fact that it was the favorite city of Empress Eugenia, wife of Napoléon III. The city is very popular in summer, since it is a very touristy place, and the World Surf League is also held on its coasts, a surfing competition where the best surfers in the world compete for first place. In this post I tell you about the most beautiful places to see in Biarritz and where to stay.
WHAT TO SEE IN BIARRITZ, FRENCH BASQUE COUNTRY
Biarritz is not a very big city, but it is still a perfect city to visit in 2 days/1 night. It is a very touristy city, especially in summer, so if you want to visit it with hardly any people, a good time to do so is in May, early June and October.
The best way to start getting to know the city is to plant yourself in the middle of the historic center, starting with the Casino de Biarritz.
The Biarritz Casino
It is the best example of Art Deco architecture that can be seen in Biarritz. The architecture is the same that you will find in Miami Beach that became so popular in the 1920s.
The casino was built in 1929 by Alfred Laulhé. It is located in the heart of the city and with direct access to the Grande Plage. In addition to the casino, the building currently also houses a theater and a swimming pool. From its terrace you have a magnificent view of the beach and the surroundings.
The Orthodox Church of Biarritz
This church stands out for its large dome. It is of Byzantine style and its construction is due to an agreement reached, at the end of the 19th century, between France and Russia. Seeing the popularity that traveling to Biarritz was acquiring among the Russian nobility and bourgeoisie, they decided to build an Orthodox church in the city. The church is beautiful and is a must see in Biarritz.
The church of Santa Eugenia
This beautiful church is located next to the promenade that connects the Grande Plage with the beach of Port Vieux. It was built in the neo-Gothic style in 1898 and is dedicated to Empress Eugenia. Next to the Church of Santa Eugenia is a lively square full of bars and restaurants, which leads to the commercial area of the city.
The Rock of the Virgin (Rocher de la Vierge)
This islet is one of the most famous places to see in Biarritz. The Virgin Rock was formerly connected to the coast by a wooden bridge, until it was replaced by an iron footbridge. On the rock there is a statue of the virgin that gives the place its name. According to legend, it was placed by fishermen after the miraculous stormy night when they were saved from shipwreck.
The Hotel du Palais
This impressive building is a palace built by order of Napoleon III in 1854 for his wife the Empress Eugenia.
Its structure is shaped like an "E" and its last reform dates from the end of the 20th century after it suffered a serious fire a few years ago at the beginning of the century. It is currently one of the most impressive places to see in Biarritz, not only because of the Palace itself, but also because of its incredible location between two beautiful beaches.
Since 1893, the Palace has been a five-star hotel that has a golf course, swimming pool, Michelin-starred restaurants and incredible views of the ocean. If you have the opportunity to afford to stay in this hotel, it must be amazing.
The Biarritz Lighthouse
The Lighthouse is one of the historical symbols of the city, and you will find it north of Biarritz. It was built in 1834 and from its 74 meters high it offers us one of the most spectacular places to see Biarritz. Of course, you will have to climb its almost 250 narrow steps by a spiral staircase. It's worth it!
The Imperial Chapel of Biarritz
This beautiful chapel was built in 1864 and is dedicated to the Virgin of Guadalupe, patron saint of Mexico. It is mainly built in the Romanesque-Byzantine style, with Hispano-Moorish touches. It was the private chapel of Napoleon III and his wife. You will find it very close to the Hotel du Palais and the Orthodox Church.
Biarritz museums
Museum of the sea
It is located a few meters from the Roca de la Virgen and is a combination of a museum with an aquarium. The current building, in Art Deco style, was inaugurated in 1932 and in it you will be able to appreciate an important collection of marine animals.
Asian museum
Although at first I didn't really like going to an Asian art museum in a European city, I finally decided to visit it and I really liked it. The Musée d'Art Oriental Asiatica has one of the main collections of Asian art in France and Europe. It has more than 1,000 works of art coming mainly from China, Tibet, Nepal and India.
Biarritz Chocolate Museum
This museum is dedicated to the history of chocolate, from its beginnings to the present day. In addition to an interesting activity to do in Biarritz, those with a sweet tooth can try and buy some of these delicacies.
Biarritz beaches
One of the main attractions of Biarritz are its beaches and maritime landscapes. For surf lovers, it is one of the best places to enjoy this sport in the French Basque Country. In addition, it has some beautiful beaches such as:
Big beach
It is located in the heart of the city and has attracted tourists from high society since the Belle Epoque. In summer, bathers have a limited bathing area, since the Grande Plage is frequented by a large number of surfers. Next to this beach you will find numerous shops, restaurants and cafes.
Old Port Beach (Port Vieux)
It is a beach located in a small bay. Its name, Puerto Viejo, is due to the fact that the city's whaling ships docked here. The small bay is surrounded by stone walls, so it is an area quite protected from the wind, the waves are gentle and the waters safer. It is a good option if you are traveling with children or prefer quiet beaches.
Plage Miramar
Miramar beach is separated from the Grande Plage by the incredible Hotel Du Palais. Surfing is prohibited on this beach. This factor and the fact that it is so central makes this beach a favorite for bathers and is by far the most crowded in the summer months.
Plage de la Côte des Basques
This beach is the most popular among surfers. It is located in the southern part of the city and is under some cliffs. Numerous competitions are held here, due to the large waves that provide ideal conditions for surfing. In addition, the environment is beautiful.
WHERE TO STAY IN BIARRITZ, FRANCE
Being such a tourist area you will find many accommodation options. It is not a cheap area, although you can find reasonable rates if you book early.
Some great accommodation options in Biarritz:
PLAN YOUR TRIP STEP BY STEP
I hope you enjoy your trip to Biarritz a lot and that this article has been useful to you. You can continue reading many more related articles on the blog.
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A hug and see you soon!