From surfing to lounging on the chic beaches of Biarritz

The historic surfing capital of Europe, Biarritz is one of the most famous seaside resorts on the Atlantic coast. Once a whaling town, Biarritz charmed Victor Hugo, who declared "I know of no place more charming and magnificent than Biarritz". It was when Napoleon settled in the town with his wife that Biarritz really took off. Gabrielle Chanel set up her first couture boutique here, and the town became a holiday destination for Charlie Chaplin, Pablo Picasso and Winston Churchill. A surfer's paradise, the town's population increases tenfold in summer to accommodate the thousands of visitors who come to enjoy the waves of the Basque coast. The region's landscapes, which alternate between mountains, high cliffs, fine sandy beaches and beautiful residences, make it an exceptional place to visit.

The birthplace of surfing, the seaside resort attracts 10 times as many visitors in summer, and is renowned for its festive atmosphere until the end of the night, but above all for its beaches. As for culture, surfing has become the symbol of the town thanks to Hollywood! In the 1950s, scriptwriter Peter Viertel found himself in Biarritz during the filming of "The Sun Also Rises".

He had a surfboard delivered direct from California, and unknowingly launched surfing in Biarritz. Known as "Little California", Biarritz has a number of surf schools and its ever-changing waves mean that surfers of all levels can practice on the Basque coast.

Biarritz's beaches offer water skiing, windsurfing and much more. However, due to the large number of tourists, the surfing areas are often moved, depending on the tide. Ask at the first-aid post for information on a daily basis.

Successively known as Plage des Fous and Plage de l'Impératrice, it is one of Biarritz's largest beaches and the first to welcome visitors. As early as 1957, American screenwriter Pal Viertel democratised surfing by tackling the Biarritz waves with a Californian board. Since then, it has become a real spot for surfers from all over the world. The Grande Plage is perfectly situated, stretching from the Hôtel du Palais to the Hôtel de Bellevue. It is now the most popular bathing spot on the Basque coast, attracting several thousand people a year.

Ideal for soaking up the sun during the summer months, you can enjoy a swim in the turquoise waters, or take a stroll along the seafront, admiring the sun setting over the Pyrenees in the distance. Surrounded by numerous shops, bars and restaurants, there is always something to do in Biarritz. Due to the large number of visitors, the bathing and surfing areas are often alternated or moved. An information note, which you can refer to, is issued daily at the lifeguard station.