{"id":7032,"date":"2026-04-13T14:55:52","date_gmt":"2026-04-13T12:55:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.itsas-mendi.com\/tourisme-pays-basque\/tourisme-biarritz\/"},"modified":"2026-09-10T11:44:22","modified_gmt":"2026-09-10T09:44:22","slug":"tourism-biarritz","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.itsas-mendi.com\/en\/tourism-basque-country\/tourism-biarritz\/","title":{"rendered":"Biarritz"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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\"Basque Campsite near Biarritz<\/strong><\/h1>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Just 10 kilometers from our campsite in Saint-Jean-de-Luz<\/a>, Biarritz stands out as one of the must-see destinations<\/strong> on the Basque coast. An internationally renowned seaside resort, it charms visitors with its elegance, legendary beaches, and a history closely linked to Europe’s royalty. Visiting Biarritz means diving into a world where Belle \u00c9poque architecture<\/strong> meets surf culture<\/strong>, and where oceanic panoramas rival the richness of its heritage. From the Grande Plage and the Rocher de la Vierge to the fishing port and the aquarium, there is no shortage of activities in Biarritz to enhance your stay in the Basque Country<\/a>. To plan your visits, consult the official website of the Biarritz tourist office<\/a>. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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\"Basque Near the campsite: Biarritz<\/strong><\/h2>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

As early as the 18th century, the benefits of wave bathing at the C\u00f4te des Fous \u2014 which became the Grande Plage \u2014 gave Biarritz its first therapeutic credentials. However, it was the arrival of Empress Eug\u00e9nie<\/strong>, wife of Napoleon III, that propelled the town to the rank of a seaside resort prized by the European aristocracy. From 1876 to 1906, the population of Biarritz tripled. The town’s architecture still bears the marks: sumptuous villas<\/strong>, palaces<\/strong>, and Art Deco buildings<\/strong> line the streets and the seafront. Villa Eug\u00e9nie, destroyed by fire in 1903 and then rebuilt, became the current H\u00f4tel du Palais, a true emblem of tourism in Biarritz. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Today, Biarritz combines elegance<\/strong> and relaxation<\/strong>. The town is world-renowned as the cradle of surfing in Europe<\/strong>: it was here, on the C\u00f4te des Basques beach, that the first waves were tamed in the 1950s. Surf schools, surf stores and international competitions<\/strong> keep the town alive all year round. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\"Basque Discover Biarritz<\/strong> from our campsite<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

From the Itsas Mendi campsite, Biarritz is accessible by car<\/strong>, by Txik Txak bus<\/strong>, or even by bike<\/strong> via the V\u00e9lodyss\u00e9e. One day is enough to discover the city’s emblematic sites, but you will undoubtedly want to come back! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\"Basque The Grande Plage and the C\u00f4te des Basques<\/strong><\/h3>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

The Grande Plage, bordered by the Barri\u00e8re casino and the H\u00f4tel du Palais, is the seaside heart<\/strong> of Biarritz. Visitors come here to swim, sunbathe, stroll along the promenade, or simply admire the surfers. The C\u00f4te des Basques<\/a>, a little further south, is the historic spot<\/strong> for European surfing<\/strong>. Framed by Villa Belza and the cliffs, this legendary beach offers steady waves and a Californian<\/strong> atmosphere. Numerous surf schools welcome beginners and experts alike for lessons or workshops. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\"Basque Biarritz lighthouse<\/strong> <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

For an exceptional panorama<\/strong> of the bay, climb the 248 steps of the Biarritz lighthouse, located at Pointe Saint-Martin. From its height of 73 meters above sea level, the view stretches from the beaches of Biarritz to the Landes coast and, on a clear day, as far as the Pyrenees mountain range. Built in 1834, it is one of the must-see tourist sites in Biarritz. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\"Basque The imperial chapel<\/strong> in Biarritz<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Empress Eug\u00e9nie wished for this chapel to be built in the park of Villa Eug\u00e9nie in 1864. Built by Emile Boeswillwald, a student of Viollet-le-Duc, in a Romano-Byzantine and Hispano-Moorish style characteristic of the Second Empire, it is of rare beauty<\/strong>. Its azulejos on the exterior walls, its exceptional polychromy, and its period furniture make it a heritage jewel<\/strong>. Classified as a historic monument<\/strong> in 1981, it now belongs to the city of Biarritz and hosts four commemorative masses per year. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\"Basque Museum<\/strong> of the Sea<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Facing the Rocher de la Vierge, the Biarritz Aquarium<\/a> is one of the oldest and most beautiful establishments of its kind in France. Housed in a superb Art Deco building, it invites you to discover the fauna<\/strong> and flora<\/strong> of the Bay of Biscay<\/strong> as well as species from the Caribbean and the Indo-Pacific. Sharks, rays, turtles, jellyfish, and of course the famous seals, whose daily feeding you can observe, will delight young and old alike. The cetacean gallery and collections dedicated to Basque Country fishing techniques complete this immersion in the marine world<\/strong>. An ideal family outing, whatever the weather! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\"Basque Biarritz fishermen’s port<\/strong> <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

It is impossible to visit Biarritz without strolling through this picturesque<\/strong> and colorful place<\/strong>, just a stone’s throw from the city center. Created after the abandonment of the Port du Refuge works in 1870, the fishing port has retained its soul of yesteryear<\/strong>. Its “crampottes” \u2014 small white huts with blue shutters \u2014 now house artisan shops, bistros, and restaurants where you can enjoy grilled fish and seafood facing the ocean. The atmosphere is authentic and relaxed<\/strong>, perfect for a gourmet break between visits. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\"Basque The Virgin’s Rock<\/strong> in Biarritz<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

This is the essential symbol<\/strong> of Biarritz. Napoleon III decided to use this imposing rock as an anchor point for the Port du Refuge dike he wished to create. It was connected to the mainland by a wooden bridge, since replaced by a metal footbridge designed by the Eiffel workshops, and pierced with a tunnel to transport the stone blocks intended for construction. In 1865, a statue of the Virgin Mary<\/a> was erected at its summit, giving it its current name. From there, the panorama over the ocean<\/strong>, the Basque coast, and the Pyrenees is breathtaking, especially at sunset<\/strong>. When evening falls, the spotlights offer a striking spectacle against the backdrop of the waves. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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