Biarritz is synonymous with luxury and first-class resorts. The seaside commune in southwest France is infamously posh, exclusive and old-school. Yet somehow, this is a place everyone wants to be. And why not? Like many places in the south of France, from the border of Spain to the border of Italy and all across the Riviera, a magnetic pull reels in people from all walks of life.
From Euro elite and aristocracy to grungy students on a budget, scenery and weather remain powerful draws here. Of course, one strong consideration to visit this fabulous part of France is location. Many use Biarritz as a convenient springboard to travel to other attractive destinations in the immediate area. With that and much more in mind, here are 12 reasons to consider Biarritz the next time you go to France.
Or to provide the obvious translation, the beach. Biarritz has some of the most enviable spans of beachfront in the south of France. The Grande Plage is the de facto king of them all and where the majority of visitors congregate. To people watch, surf and subathe, the dominant beach is a good choice. Port Vieux is a beach near the town center that many parents with young children prefer. C?te des Basques is wonderful to surf at low tide if you have some experience, otherwise the rocky shores can be dangerous. Marbella beach, while off the main drag, is worth the trip for pristine views of the Bay of Biscay. Last but not least, Miramar beach and Milady beach serve as two ideal all-round recreation areas for locals and visitors alike.
Many forget that while Biarritz is within France, the commune is well within the limits of Basque country. As such, the fiercely independent and proud heritage of the Basque people mark the seaside town as different. From the food and wine to the sport of pelota, Biarritz, like the north of Spain and the rest of Basque France, is defiantly distinct.
One attraction in Biarritz that made it a bastion of affluence and sohpistication remains to the present day. Any fan of James Bond is aware of the ubiquity of European casinos in the 007 films, where men wear tuxedos and quaff Cognac at the baccarat tables. Biarritz was like that at the turn of the last century, when the elite of the continent came to gamble away cares and money they could well afford to lose. While the scene is not quite the same, the two main casinos in the city serve the same basic purpose today.
The former summer palace of Napoleon III and Empress Eugenia is a major tourist attraction in Biarritz. Known today as the H?tel du Palais, the premier hotel and resort spares no expense when it comes to luxury as well, much like the former Emperor. Whether or not you stay here when you visit Biarritz, the palace is worth a visit.
The annual surf festival in Biarritz hits the waves in July and attracts more than 150,000 enthusiasts of the sport. By far the most popular time for the tourism industry, hotels and hostels fill up fast. If you want to attend the one of the most popular beach festivals in Europe, book ahead.
Rugby has a strong place in Basque culture and in France in general. The Biarritz Olympique is a perenially strong contender for the national championship and draw crowds of over 13,000 for home games at Parc des Sports Aguil?ra. The team also plays out of San Sebastian, Spain from time to time.
With a location on the Bay of Biscay and Atlantic Ocean coast, Biarritz has always been dependent on the sea for survival, sustenance and subsistence. This is evident not only in the local cuisine but also in the excellent Museum of the Sea, where 24 aquariums display a vast array of colorful and exotic aquatic life.
The first church in Biarritz was built incredibly, in the 12th century. A comprehensive restoration took place 400 years later and as a result, St. Martin’s stands as one of the most historic landmarks in the southwest section of France.
A favorite holiday haunt of Russian royalty and aristocracy for decades, the most wealthy among them took up a collection and built the awesome Orthodox Cathedral in Biarritz in the 19th century. The supreme spiritual site has a rather iconic azure dome that hints at many opulent interior details.
Discover beautiful Biarritz with superb hotel rates in the seaside town.
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