Biarritz: A Pearl on the French Basque Coast

BIARRITZ, A PEARL ON THE FRENCH BASQUE COAST

Biarritz is the unrivalled seaside resort whose splendour began in 1855 and remains so vividly coloured. It is still today one of the favourite places for swimmers and surfers.

The « Queen of Beaches and Beach of Kings » attracted in turn Oskar II of Sweden who liked to review troops, Leopold II of Belgium, a restless rambler, the dowager Empress of Russia, the Mother of Nicholas II, or Elizabeth of Austria, a queen with a tragic destiny, Nathalia of Serbia and her unfortunate son Alexander, Queen Victoria and King Edward VII of Great Britain, Alphonso XIII of Spain and of course French Emperor Napoleon III and Empress Eugénie. They all made the reputation of the place. Notables visited the city on the Basque Coast in the XIXth century. But many more humble persons and tourists can enjoy the elating beauty of the beaches and vistas of Biarritz, « between the two rocks » in Basque language.

Biarritz, Museum of the Seaa.

Image source: http://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fichier:Biarritz._Museo_del_Mar.JPG

From the Rock of the Virgin to the lighthouse tableland, the sublime curve of the shore encloses the immense fringes of gold sand. A surprising Russian church, an Imperial Chapel, hotels that are true palaces, large boulevards facing the ocean and rocks endlessly hit by the waves: this is Biarritz!

A splendid Museum of the Sea, with its large aquarium presents the fauna and flora of the gulf to enchanted visitors. From the Rock of the Villa Belza, an amazing mansion of the late XIXth century, the view over the immense Beach of the Basques, with blue marl cliffs will leave you breathless.

Biarritz, “Hôtel du Palais ”, former residence of Napoleon III and Empress Eugénie.

Image source:

http://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fichier:BiarritzHotelduPalais1.JPG

If you can afford, have a stay at the very chic « Hôtel du Palais », a luxurious palace once residence of Napoleon III and Empress Eugénie. There are, of course, lots of nice hotels in town and you will easily find one and appreciate the lifestyle and amenities of Biarritz. Don’t miss the market place, offering countless varieties of vegetables, hams, saussages and sweets traditionally prepared here from original Basque recipes. A stroll in the renown « Biarritz Bonheur » department store is a must, and you can always try your luck at the Art Déco casino. Finally, to get over your aesthetic excitement, enjoy a small glass of Izarra, the famous liquor of the Basque Country, meaning « star » and whose colour in itself (either yellow or green) already is the beginning of the dream!

See also my related article: http://www.quazen.com/Arts/Architecture/Hendaye-on-the-Basque-Coast-of-France.726569

Biarritz, Villa Belza.

Image source: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Villa_belza.jpg

Biarritz, the market place. Note the Basque Flag.

Image source: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Biarritz_March%C3%A9.jpg

The Rock of the Virgin, Biarritz.

Image source: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Rocher_de_la_vierge_%C3%A0_Biarritz.JPG

Biarritz, the beach and lighthouse.

Image source: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Biarritz_Phare_et_Grande_Plage.jpg

Biarritz, Villa Natacha.

Image source: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Biarritz_Natacha.JPG