[because of the current situation linked to the epidemic of coronavirus, the opening dates of the monuments and institutions mentioned in the article are likely to change for the year 2020.]
Biarritz has changed in recent years. In ten years, she went from resort living to the rhythm of the French school holidays to an international destination welcoming tourists from march to November. With the warming climate, it is not uncommon to have lunch on the terrace at Christmas. The rich bourgeois in a suit and bag Hermes are more rare, replaced by a younger population that we meet in the streets of a skateboard, a surfboard under the arm. From January, when many retailers close, Biarritz now lives year-round. As to weather, it’s still a gamble, but June, September, and October are months the divine to enjoy the resort of the basque Coast.
The arrival
Since the creation of the LGV Atlantique, the parisians have won with a time of transport. The capital is only four hours by TGV train to Biarritz.
Those in a hurry will choose the plane. Air France flies to Biarritz in 1h20 from Paris-Orly airport or 1 hour 30 minutes from Roissy-Charles de Gaulle, but also from Lyon throughout the year and other cities of the province, including the opening this year of three new lines with the company Volotea : Rennes, Lille and Strasbourg. In practice, the city centre is only ten minutes.
All-new, all hot !
TO DO
Alternatives to , the exhibition of Laurence Alaux, artist original béarnaise today lives in Urrugne, a small village above Saint-Jean-de-Luz. From his studio, it dominates the bay of Saint-Jean-de-Luz and Socoa, the main inspiration of this exhibition of fifty works, where there are views of these bays sometimes turbulent, sometimes peaceful. His abstract paintings with clean lines are an invitation on a journey where our eyes plunge in the faded grey and blue awakened by the ochres and hot.
Crypt Sainte-Eugénie, at place Sainte-Eugénie. Free entrance until 21 June, daily from 14h30 to 19h except Tuesday.
TABLE
The room under the glass roof of the restaurant Epoq. Epoq / Photo press
Epoq
a few years ago, Anthony Orjollet we had blown away in the opening Item, a small restaurant at the edge of the national near the highway exit, where he had to jump over the crates of wine to reach his table. Recently, he moved to two steps from the place Clemenceau in a loft of 300 m2. Outside, a copper plate so discreet that the first time we went two times without seeing the entrance. Inside, a cocktail bar under a canopy of giant, where a resident DJ makes us listen to the old stuff of the 1970s, who remind us that the music of before, it was still not bad. The map puts us in trouble because we would like to try everything on the menu (pressed octopus and hibiscus, artichoke garlic of the bears, lamb of Aldudes with celery or smoked trout with lemon burned…) ! And the success is such that booking is advised several days in advance of the season.
EPOQ, 11 rue du Helder, 64200 Biarritz. Tel. : 09 88 09 68 12.
The HOTEL with a VIEW
the House of The Marquis
The House of the Marquis. Cendrine Bidal
This guest house as chic as a boutique hotel is located close to the golf of the Lighthouse. This beautiful property built in 1930 in the style néobasque belonged to the marquis of Cuevas, whimsical, aristocratic american-born chilean famous for its masked balls boisterous. A quality renovation has restored the lustre to this place full of stories. Five rooms and suites decorated with taste. We had a small low to the suite of the marquis with its walls of faded blue and its headboard decorated with a beautiful wallpaper, landscape that gives him like a great century. In the garden, a heated swimming pool allows you to relax after a round of golf.
the House of The Marquis, 41, rue de l Estagnas, 64200 Biarritz. Tel. : 06 38 60 67 18. From 150 to 280 € the night with breakfast.
DAY 1 : A PROGRAM BASED ON THE TIDES
Morning
A surf lesson with Charlie. Surfing With Charlie / Photo press
Start with a solid breakfast at Etxola Bibi , the shack in the most famous of the city located above the Côte des Basques . The 360° view on the Pyrenees, Spain, the ocean and the Villa Belza is certainly one of the prettiest of the Atlantic coast.
Know that in Biarritz, the days are to be scheduled according to the tides. To low tide , you can enjoy the beach and surfing, to high tide , on visit the city. If the tide allows, enjoy a surf lessons with Charlie . Of course, there are several surfing schools on the Coast of the Basques, but Charlie prefers small groups, maximum 4 persons.
The surfing started in France at the Côte des Basques in the 1950s, with Peter Viertel, screenwriter of american and Tontons Surfers , these local surfers who have caught their first waves. You may have the opportunity to meet Claude Durcudoy, one of the Tontons Surfers. If he does start surfing today, it still like to come around and “check” the waves.
lunch Break
Either you want to enjoy the beach in this case, go to the Carlos , one of the three restaurants of the Côte des Basques. Their poke bowl take-out is divine. Otherwise, head along the beach towards the Villa Belza to reach the Port-Vieux or you can have lunch on the terrace of Bathing . Relaxed atmosphere and incredible view on the beach of Port-Vieux and the Rock of the Virgin. An advice is to come in the beginning of the service, this can sometimes be a little long.
afternoon
One of the beautiful villas of the quartier Impérial area. CDT64/J. Cazenave
If the tide is high, take the opportunity to stroll in Biarritz to the discovery of the most beautiful villas . If it is low, swap the order, make the surf in the afternoon and the tour in the morning. Rent electric bikes in Vélektrix because Biarritz is built on a hill, all the streets are sloped with the sacred terrain. Start with the St. Charles by visiting the orthodox church just in front of the Hôtel du Palais , continue to the rue Albert 1er, and admire the beautiful villas, half-timbered. Then, follow with the castle Grammont where the empress Eugenie spent much of his childhood, and the château Boulard in the renaissance style, which rises at the highest point of Biarritz. A two not, is the area Bibi and its little houses full of geraniums. Once inhabited by fishermen, now redeemed in gold prices in recent years by injuries. At the end of the day, are you going to do a massage at the spa Alaena . Created by Anne Peres, this place is a bubble of well-being, perfect to relax the muscles after a session of surfing and an afternoon bike ride.
Aperitif and dinner
nightlife in the les Halles district. Office of Tourism / Emmy Martens
At the top of the rue Gambetta , a little away from the hubbub of the Halls, the Artnao is a wine bar that will appeal to fans. His specialty, the small wine producers biodynamic, the opportunity to make discoveries at a price any mild. Then, he let himself slide down to the market to feast on chipirons a la plancha or roasted hake served in Chistera and Shells benefits from a large terrace. If you prefer houses that are traditional, in the direction of Chez Albert the Port of the Fishermen. This institution is famous for its huge seafood platters and profiteroles for dessert. For the gourmet, the Sassy and its table star is worth checking with local products revisited, as the lamb of milk in the country in the cabbage or the pan seared foie gras with pear.
Evening
Always les Halles , the Bar Jean turns into a mini nightclub. The advantage is to be able to wiggle inside the restaurant and a drink on the steps outside when the atmosphere becomes too hot inside.
DAY 2 : COURSE FORM, wine TASTING AT the MARKET AND MUSEUM
Morning
The Large Beach and its iconic tents striped. Office of Tourism / Emmy Martens
Everything will depend on the time at which you’ll be lying the day before. If you are early risers, do the course form part of the lighthouse on the esplanade Elisabeth II . To put you in legs, you can climb the 248 steps that lead to the top of the headlight . Don’t forget the selfie with the Hotel du Palais in the background you can see a little closer back down to the centre of Biarritz . Currently under renovation, it will reopen in the spring of 2021. Then, follow the Great Beach and the Casino, and then go on up to the place Sainte-Eugénie , go to Fishing Port , and then follow with the Port-Vieux , the Côte des Basques , pull up by the Cent Steps . It warns you, the walks on foot in Biarritz are very fond of sports, all the streets are sloping.
If you are rather lazy morning, join the locals who, for anything in the world, not rateraient the market at les Halles . On your way, if you want to know a little more about the surf, stop at the gallery Sylvain Cazenave . A pioneer in the photography of surfing, it will make you dream you are speaking of the greatest surfers such as Laird Hamilton and the legendary waves of Hawaii, Australia or elsewhere…
A board, come to the Halles with an empty stomach because this place is full of good things. Start with the Balme and try their scrambled eggs with truffle, their Croque Martine or a pancake to the sheep in the face of the P’tit Dolmen , accompanied by a glass of cider or fruit juice in a hurry. Then, make the full of local products to take home : boards of iberian ham and tortillas home to the Bar Ham , from ossau-iraty in the Crème de la Crème and basque cake with Maquirrian . Ask that you wrap everything in a vacuum (except the basque cake) for the trip. In the late morning, pass side fish, this is the time to enjoy some oysters with a glass of white wine standing at the counter.
lunch Break
Not sure that you’re still hungry after those snacks, but in case you would want to ask you to calm, the trout of the Pyrenees in gravlax in Manatee , or a small salad or a toast to the lawyer at Frozen Palm you crave.
afternoon
The City of the Ocean is a space dedicated to the discovery of the large blue. City of the Ocean
Take the free shuttle bus at the intersection of Sunflower (or your electric bike to go to the City Ocean , located to the south of the city. This museum dedicated to the ocean and surfing allows you to learn a little more about the phenomenon of freak waves, or even to take to a champion ridant the wave of Tehaupo’o (the a wave the most dangerous in the world, editor’s NOTE), thanks to a simulator. Below, the beach Ilbaritz allows you to do a little break in the sun while admiring the castle , which overlooks the Atlantic. Built by baron Albert of the Espée between 1895 and 1897, this building five-storey 40 m high, is home to a sumptuous wooden staircase, finely carved, a wonderful room that hasbritait once the largest church organ in the world (today in the Sacred Heart of Paris). As the baron hated getting wet by the rain, he had built three miles of covered ways for walking around his domain.
cocktail
Véletrix, where you have rented your bikes, organize trips to sunset” to Guéthary . In a small group with a guide, you go to Guéthary distant nine miles to the south. This small village is typically basque, is a delight to enjoy the last rays of the sun and enjoy a cocktail dinner at the water’s edge. If you’re lucky, you may have the opportunity to see the green ray on the horizon.
learn
Office de tourisme de Biarritz, Square d’ixelles. Tel. : 05 59 22 37 10, and tourisme.biarritz.fr
Book adressesDes scrambled eggs with truffle at Home Balme. Home Balme
WHERE TO eat ?
Etxola Bibi, square J. B Lassalle, 64200 Biarritz. Tel. : 06 09 63 15 98.
Carlos, 7, boulevard Prince de Galles, 64200 Biarritz. Tel. : 05 59 47 46 12.
The Bathers of Biarritz, 14 rue du Port-Vieux, 64200 Biarritz. Tel. : 05 59 24 41 84.
Chistera and Shells, 13, rue des Halles, 64200 Biarritz. Tel. : 05 59 41 89 45.
Chez Albert, Port des Pêcheurs, 64200 Biarritz. Tel. : 05 59 24 43 84.
Home Balme, rue des Halles, 64200 Biarritz.Tel. : 05 33 47 33 07.
The Impertinent, 5, rue d’alsace, 64200 Biarritz. Tel. : 05 59 51 03 67.
Frozen Palm, 2, rue Jean Bart, 64200 Biarritz. Tel. : 05 59 47 70 55.
Manatee, 13, rue Gambetta, 64200 Biarritz. Tel. : 05 24 33 03 06.
Still good restaurants in rue Gambetta…
Carøe, restaurant-inspired Danish with local products. 51, rue Gambetta. Tel. : 09 83 34 54 60.
Cibo, delicious pizzas. 51 bis, rue Gambetta. Tel. : 05 35 46 56 71
The Cabanes à Huitres, seafood. 62, rue Gambetta. Tel. : 05 59 54 79 65.
Saline Ceviche, the poke bowl. 62, rue Gambetta. Tel. : 05 59 43 65 98.
OUT DRINK
The Artnoa, 56, rue Gambetta, 64200 Biarritz. Tel. : 05 59 24 78 87.
Bar Jean, 5, rue des Halles, 64200 Biarritz. Tel. : 05 59 24 80 38.
WHERE to SLEEP ?
romantic Room at the hotel Saint Julien. Hotel Saint Julien Photo / press
Sofitel Miramar
The hotel enjoys an exceptional location on the beach of Miramar. This building-like flagship has a sea water swimming pool and the rooms beautiful terraces overlooking the ocean. A complex of thalasso-spa allows you to relax on rainy days. From 177 € per night.
Hotel Sofitel Biarritz Le Miramar Thalassa sea & spa 13 rue Louison Bobet, 64200 Biarritz. Tel. : 05 59 41 30 00.
Hotel Saint Julien
two steps from les Halles, this small family hotel of 20 rooms is full of charm. Furniture vintage antique tastefully decorate rooms that have a view on the lighthouse of Biarritz, or the Rhune and the Bay of Saint-Jean-de-Luz. From 70 € per night.
Hotel Saint Julien 20 avenue Carnot, 64200 Biarritz. Tel. : 05 59 24 20 39.
The Carlina Lodge
For fans of surfing, this hotel-residence of 19 rooms and 5 suites is ideally located on the Basque Coast. Its more, standard rooms of a surface area of 30 m2 with a terrace giving directly on the beach. A spirit a little vintage 1970s gives him the quaint charm of a family pension of regulars more than a classic hotel. From 140 € per night.
Carlina Lodge, 9 Boulevard du Prince de Galles, 64200 Biarritz. Tel. : 05 59 24 42 14.
read also : Our most beautiful guest rooms 2020 in the South-West
SHOPPING
A cushion signed Biarritz, a nice souvenir to slip into her suitcase. Delphine Lousteau-Laplaces
Victory : the opportunity to discover the pretty dresses in cotton voile de Virginie de Vinster, a stylist local. 17, avenue Edouard VII. Tel. : 05 59 23 28 80.
Pretty Words Biarritz : pillows, sheets, bathroom, bags of beach lin signed the famous beaches of the area. Market of les Halles. Tel. : 06 73 39 47 60.
Central department Store : cloths stamped basque country, and tableware in the colors of the country, with a twist of modernism. 9, avenue Victor Hugo. Tel. : 06 07 68 85 54.
Act 1 : the decoration shop where one crack on the small terra cotta ceramics. 12, rue des Halles. Tel. : 05 59 85 60 98.
AND ALSO…
Gallery Sylvain Cazenave, 8 rue Gambetta, 64200 Biarritz. Tel. : 06 03 82 17 75.
bicycle Rental, Velektrix, 23 avenue du Maréchal Foch, 64200 Biarritz. Tel. : 05 59 98 69 70.
Surf With Charlie (the Carlina Lodge), 9 boulevard du Prince de Galles, 64200 Biarritz. Tel. : 06 13 89 70 19.
Spa Alanéa, 20, avenue du Sabaou, 64200 Biarritz. Tel. : 05 59 23 96 92.
City of the Ocean, 1, avenue de la Plage, 64200 Biarritz. Tel. : 05 59 22 75 40.
The writing you conseilleÉchappées beautiful in the vineyards of the BordelaisGuide travel to the island of Yeu, the haughty sauvageonnePartir holiday by the sea, our experiences in order to rediscover France this étéSujetsnouvelle-aquitainePays basqueBiarritzvoyageplagescity breakcity guidevacances summer 2020TourismePratique3 commentairesASTYANAX68le 11/06/2020 13:19
Very refined small tv series yesterday on france 2’s ” Romance “..problem is the action supposed to happen in Biarritz
is showing only rare scenes of the place. Everything is shot in Saint-Jean-de-Luz and in a magnificent villa, on the pointe Sainte Barbe…Biarritz for dummies ? …( made in Paris ).
Victor33le 11/06/2020 13:09
Attention of the figaro, this kind of article will attract the hatred of the family Traoré. Because this town represents white racism in French and the values of the Basque country are contrary to their way of life.. long Live euskady…vive la france
anonymele 11/06/2020 at 11:32 am
welcome to Biarritz 64075…. Very beautiful borough in the Direction of Guethary 64078, not far from Saint Jean de luz 64092…
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