The gateway to the Basque Country, Biarritz is one of the most prestigious seaside resorts on the Atlantic coast. At once chic, cultural and sporty, it’s a multi-faceted city to discover for the pleasure of the eyes and the deliciously retro atmosphere that emanates from it. Here’s a rundown of the places to visit in Biarritz during your vacation at the 4-star Lou P’tit Poun campsite!
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Guided tour in Eugenie’s footsteps
Located just 20 minutes from
Camping aux portes du Pays basque
Biarritz is an imperial city, its stones stamped with the seal of history. After visiting Biarritz in the summer of 1854, Empress Eugenie decided to make it her holiday resort. From then on, Biarritz became “the queen of beaches and the beach of kings”, attracting Europe’s greatest celebrities and crowned heads in its wake.
Napoleon III had a sumptuous E-shaped palace built here: the Villa Eugénie. Now known as the Hôtel du Palais, this jewel of Biarritz’s heritage is one of the world’s last authentic palaces. Biarritz has preserved other emblematic monuments from the imperial era, such as the Imperial Chapelerected at Eugenie’s request to celebrate the victories of the French armies in Mexico; Villa Belza by architect Alphonse Bertrand, a handsome neo-medieval building built on a Cachaous Rock Miremont pastry shop with its elegant rococo front featuring 19th-century stucco and mosaics, or the Rocher percé de la Vierge.
Le Rocher de la Vierge
When you visit Biarritz, the Rocher de la Vierge is always in sight. This emblematic monument of the city owes its name to the statue of the Virgin Mary which has been enthroned at its summit since 1865. It was Napoleon III who decided to pierce the rock and link it to the coast via a metal footbridge designed by Gustave Eiffel. This natural curiosity in the shape of a ship’s hull offers breathtaking views of the Basque coast, the ocean and the Pyrenees.
Biarritz Lighthouse
At the end of Pointe Saint Martin, the Biarritz lighthouse marks the northern end of the town. It has been guiding sailors since 1834. After 248 steps, the famous Biarritz lighthouse rises to a height of 73 meters, offering the best view of the town’s rooftops, the Grande Plage and the rocky coastline, from the south of the Landes to the mountains of the Pyrenees. from the south of the Landes to the Pyrenees mountains !
The Cité de l’Océan and the Biarritz Aquarium
Take advantage of your camping holiday near Biarritz to visit the Cité de l’Océan . Embark on an exhilarating dive aboard the dynamic bathyscaphe or virtually surf the mythical waves of the Basque coast. The adventure in the heart of the seas continues at Biarritz Aquarium discover colorful fish, sharks, turtles, rays and seals. A fascinating journey that takes you from the Bay of Biscay to the warm seas of the Caribbean, via the Mediterranean and theIndo-Pacific.
The Fishermen’s Port
Discover the fishing port of Biarritz. This little village in the city has become a chic and trendy place where surfers and celebrities come to enjoy a good grilled fish. Biarritz was originally a small whaling port before it became a famous fashionable resort in the 19th century. The town’s coat of arms features a whaling boat. Between the 11th and 17th centuries, most of the economy was based on fishing. The famous “crampottes” installed on the port, at the foot of the Atalaye plateau, bear witness to this era.
Biarritz’s Grande Plage
Surrounded by the Hôtel du Palais and the Municipal and Bellevue casinos, Biarritz ‘s Grande Plage is one of the city’s most emblematic landmarks. This is the Basque resort’s busiest beach. Families flock here with their children, bodyboards under their arms. The waves aren’t powerful, and there’s a casino right on the beach, as well as numerous cafés and restaurants. The Côte des Basques, on the other hand, is a much more spectacular spot, reserved for experienced surfers. The cradle of surfing in Europe since the arrival of the Tontons Surfeurs in the 1960s, Biarritz attracts masters of the discipline all year round.
Of course, the tour doesn’t stop there. Biarritz has much more to offer. If you have the time, don’t miss a visit to the Asiatica Museum (rich collection of oriental art), the Biarritz Historical Museum, or the Cloche du Plateau de l’Atalaye and its bird’s-eye view of the fishermen’s port. The most hedonistic and epicurean among you will gladly make a detour to Rue Gambetta – the street of restaurants – or Les Halles de Biarritz to fill your belly or bring back some tasty souvenirs of your stay in the Basque Country.