Biarritz

Eugénie, the wife of Napoleon III, created Hôtel du Palais at the end of the 19th century, and it still towers over the northern end of Grand Plage. A visit is well worth the time. In fact, it is essentially a must-see – the interiors and the atmosphere are reminiscent of a bygone era.

The views of the Atlantic waves crashing over the cliffs below are dramatic. This is where the whale watchers would have been on the lookout, at a small building called cloche d'Alarme. A statue of the Virgin Mary, raised in 1865, perches on one of the cliffs that can be reached via a bridge. Nearby is also the quaint Place Sainte-Eugénie and the old fishing port Port des Pêcheurs. Take a casual walk around and do not forget to pass the park Esplanade de la Vierge or the local aquarium close by.

The Russian orthodox church of Alexander Nevsky may seem a bit out of place, but just before the Russian revolution in 1917, many aristocrats arrived here and bought that piece of land where they built up the church.

The Biarritz Aquarium, also known as le Musée de la Mer, is a great place to take your family for an impressive marine display. The diverse sea life is portrayed in an elegant and entertaining manner. Eagle rays measuring 90cm in width share their tank with about 30 sharks, barracudas, seals, and many more.

The lighthouse of Biarritz, le Phare de Biarritz, is another location where you can enjoy views of the city. Climb the small hill and, if you dare, take a look into the lighthouse on top. Also, take a look around and experience that great atmosphere.

No matter if this is your first time on a surfboard or if you're already a pro, Lagoondy Surfschool can offer you valuable tips on how to get started and on how to improve your technique.

The Saint-Martin Church is the oldest church in Biarritz. Built in the 1100s, it has been listed by historical monuments since 1931. Come in and enjoy the serenity.

The Casino Barrière is located just at the waterfront, so it allows for some amazing views of the ocean. It does not only offer a good time for those who like classic table games like Blackjack, Roulette, and Poker, but you can also come here and relax in their heated sea-water pool with an ocean view.

Get some fresh air and enjoy the Basque landscape. The Takamaka team at Sports Nature equips you with everything you need for an exciting day out: bikes, surfboards, or kayaks can be borrowed, and you can even book a canyoning or sky-diving trip! The experienced team helps you with hiking maps and advice for day routes.