A Walk Through Biarritz

Of the most welcoming cities in France and the favorite place of the Empress Eugenia de Montijo, the charm of Biarritz is unmatched. Beaches, museums and gastronomy will be your luxury companions during a stay in this beautiful vacation destination to go with the family.

Biarritz of kings and queens

Located in the extreme southwest of the country and on the shores of the Cantabrian Sea, it has had Basque influences since its inception, both in its architecture and in its customs, and even in certain words.

At the beginning of the 19th century, European doctors recommended their patients to take “sea baths” (which was nothing more than breathing salty air) for its therapeutic properties. Of course, not everyone could access this privilege and only the wealthy sectors of the population went on vacation to Biarritz to enjoy its benefits.

One of the luxury visitors was Empress Eugenia, wife of Napoleon III, who in 1854 began to frequent the area and for this reason had a palace built in the middle of the beach, which today is the Hotel du Palais. She was not the only monarch who spent time in the city, but the British royal family also enjoyed its landscapes and medicinal effects.

Biarritz unmissable spots

A few kilometers from the border with Spain (more precisely the Basque Country), Biarritz is nestled between coves, beaches and lighthouses. These are the attractions that you cannot miss on your way through the city of kings:

Pointe Saint Martin Lighthouse

This lighthouse is 73 meters high and dates from 1830 (although it was remodeled in 1950). If you dare to climb its 248 steps you can get beautiful views of the coast and the Pyrenees. The entrance has a cost of 2.5 euros.

Virgin Rock

It was drilled by Napoleon as a port of refuge. It was connected to the coast with a wooden bridge later replaced by an iron footbridge designed by the creator of the Eiffel Tower in Paris. It has a statue of the Virgin that was placed in 1885 as a token of appreciation by some sailors who were miraculously saved from dying in the middle of a storm.

Hotel du Palais

A site not only beautiful from an architectural point of view, but also rich in history. As we have already pointed out, it was the occasional residence of the Empress Eugenia (in its beginnings it was called “Villa Eugenia”) until 1855. In 1893 it became a very luxurious hotel.

Museums

There are several museums in Biarritz that we can visit:

• Chocolate Museum:  here you can learn everything about this delicious sweet before it was brought to Europe from Mexico.

• Museum of the Sea: it  is also an aquarium and has about 150 native species from the Gulf of Gasconia, as well as objects related to fishing and oceanography.
• History Museum:  gathers a large number of documents that show what the city was like in its beginnings and until the 1950s. There is a guided tour on the third Saturday of each month. It is located in the old Anglican Church of St. Andrew’s.

Municipal Casino

One of the most impressive constructions for its time (it was inaugurated in 1901). In 1929 it was renovated in art-deco style and remodeled in 1991. From the terrace of the casino you can see the Grande Plage. It houses a municipal swimming pool, a theater and rooms for events.

Les Halles Market

It is in a building dating from 1955 around the Place Sobradiel. It offers regional products and they also serve delicious meals and snacks at great prices.

Imperial Chapel

It was built in 1864 and was used privately by Napoleon and his wife when they were on summer vacation. It has a mixture of styles that attracts attention: Hispanic-Moorish on the one hand and Romano-Byzantine, on the other. As if that  were not enough, it is decorated with tiles on the walls. It is dedicated to the Virgin Our Lady of Guadalupe of Mexico.

San Martin Church

It was built in the mid-12th century and restored in 1541. It is in the Gothic style and has a nave with low arches. It is the oldest in Biarritz and is dedicated to the city’s patron. During the French Revolution he witnessed great massacres.

Finally, on your walk through the royal city you cannot stop lying in the sun on one of its famous beaches. The most popular are Grande Plage and Plage de la Cote des Basques.