Biarritz Hotels

Blissful Biarritz

For a sleek beachfront wonderland with an explosion of culture and the best waves in Europe, Biarritz is your town. Once a seaside resort for Napoleon III and cherished by the 19th century upper class, you’ll now share the gorgeous white sand with beach bums and the jeunesse dorée (golden youth) of France – assuming you can afford it.

Peer into the 19th century miniature masterpiece inspired by Empress Eugénie at the Chapelle Impériale, or see how much eminence you can exude lounging around the 1920s-style beach tents along the Plage Miramar. Mingle with the chic chicks while enjoying tea and bay views from Miremont, or pamper yourself silly at one of the nearby spas. If you can look half as well groomed as the overly manicured poodles that populate this town, consider it a job well done!

Biarritz’s Top 10

Biarritz History

• St-Martin's Church – Established in the 12th century, this historic structure underwent restoration during the 16th century.
• Musee Historique de Biarritz – A museum that exhibits how Biarritz began as a simple fishing port.
• Russian Orthodox Church – Constructed in the 19th century for Russian visitors from the aristocratic families.
• Chapelle Imperiale – Decorated with intricate and elegant details, this chapel was created for the Empress Eugenie.
• Le Petit Train de La Rhune – One of the three remaining cogwheel trains in France, this one runs from La Rhune to Sare.

Biarritz Art & Culture

• Asiatica Museum – Features important art pieces from Nepal, India and China.
• Biarritz Surf Festival – Held during mid-July of every year, this major surfing event also offers various water competitions for professionals and enthusiasts.
• Musée del la Mar – Offers several huge aquariums containing wonderful marine species.
• Le Musee du Chocolat – This museum showcases the history of making chocolates.
• Le Casino de Biarritz – This white building has been in operation since 1901 and has helped Biarritz become a European entertainment destination.

Biarritz Shopping

• Clemenceau – This public square has all the main boutiques and shops for designer clothes and accessories.
• Pariès – A shop that sells the finest chocolates in France including several types of tourons or nougats.
• Mille et Un Fromages – Special French cheeses together with a grand wine collection.
• Pare Gabia – Specializes in making colorful espadrilles, a special kind of Basque shoes that has a canvas-shaped top and a bottom rope or ribbon.
• Galeries Lafayette – This French department store chain in Biarritz includes a supermarket.

Biarritz Gay & Lesbian 

• La plage les 100 Marches – This fine-sand beach has a well-known area where gay people mingle. 
• Excuse Bar – This chic bar is where gay locals and tourists make new acquaintances in Biarritz.
• L’Eleven Bar – Known for its cool ambiance, it usually accommodates a mixed crowd but is considered to be very gay friendly.
• Gay Pride Festival – Held usually in June, this event is one of the most popular and heavily visited in Europe. 
• Le Caveau – Has a vibrant atmosphere and plays European house music that attract a gay crowd.

Biarritz’s Events

Express yourself and marvel at technology at the annual International Festival of Audiovisual Programs in January.

March’s Bi Harriz lau XORI Festival is a five-day bonanza of all things Basque.

Don your monocle in May and feast your highbrow eyes on Biarritz’s yearly Festival of the Arts.

For a celebration of the seaside, slap on your snorkel and head along to The Ocean sea festival in June.

The largest music festival in Biarritz is the aptly named BIG Festival in July.

When To Go

If you want the sun beating down on the ridge of your nose as you peer into the horizon, visit Biarritz in August.

December brings cooler temperatures that make walking around the city as pleasant as it is scenic.

For the low rainfall and warm weather, March and April are the best months.

Getting Around

Biarritz is very pedestrian-friendly, and using your feet is the best way to experience the sightseeing, surfing and shopping.

There is an excellent bus network around Biarritz. You can get wherever you need to go for around €1.

If all else fails, there are plenty of taxis around.

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