Hotels in Biarritz

Biarritz: Atlantic Surf Capital of the Basque Coast

Biarritz sits on France's Atlantic coast, 8 km from the Spanish border and 190 km south of Bordeaux. Napoleon III and Empress Eugénie built the Villa Eugénie here in 1854, transforming a whaling village into a resort favored by European royalty. Today the city draws surfers to La Grande Plage and Côte des Basques, the latter credited as the birthplace of European surfing after 1957 when Peter Viertel rode its waves. The Rocher de la Vierge, a rock arch connected to the mainland by an iron footbridge, remains the city's most photographed landmark.

Where to Stay

Hotels cluster around three zones: the Grande Plage seafront, the Plateau de l'Atalaye headland near the lighthouse, and the Centre-Ville around Avenue Edouard VII. The Hôtel du Palais — built on the site of Napoleon III's villa — anchors the luxury end on Avenue de l'Impératrice. Smaller surf-oriented guesthouses line the streets above Côte des Basques beach.

Practical Tips

• Getting there: TGV from Paris Montparnasse reaches Bayonne in 4h 20min; Biarritz is 8 km by bus or taxi.
• Best season: July–August for warm surf; October–March for uncrowded waves and lower hotel rates.
• Currency/language: Euro; French spoken, with Basque signage throughout.
• Local food: Pintxos bars in the Les Halles market hall and Basque gâteau basque at bakeries on Rue Gambetta.