Biarritz

Biarritz, located in the Basque region on the Atlantic coast, is popular with both locals and international holidaymakers alike. The great cuisine, golfing, surfing, impressive historical buildings, museums and shopping make Biarritz a fantastic holiday destination.

Probably the biggest attraction in Biarritz is the coast. Beautiful sandy beaches line the coast, and the waves attract surfers from around the world. There are several surfing festivals held up and down the coastline during the year.

The promenade, Quai de la Grande Plage, is lined with eateries, surfing and souvenir shops and boutiques. The Hôtel du Palais isn’t far from the promenade and is famous in Biarritz because it was originally built as a palace for the Empress of France. To sample the local cuisine,visit the old square, Ste-Eugénie, which has plenty of restaurants for any taste.

Some of the major attractions in the area are the Rock of the Virgin (Rocher de la Vierge), which is spiritually significant for the locals; the Museum of the sea, boasting 24 aquariums; the Imperial Chapel with its impressive architecture; the very impressive Russian Orthodox Cathedral; and St Martin’s Church, which dates back to the 11^th century.

There are some other interesting towns to visit that are easily reachable by car. St Jean de Luz is near the Spanish border and has a delightful medieval charm to it. The town is located on the seafront and has an active fishing port. Bayonne, the capital of the region, also has a few attractions worth a visit including Roman fortifications, the impressive 14^th century Cathedral Sainte-Marie and the intriguing Bonnat Museum.

Biarritz has an international airport. Flights into the airport arrive only from other European cities, but connections can be made through Paris, Madrid or other larger cities. The rail system in the area is excellent - it is more popular to get into Biarritz by train than by air. There are also public buses available.