Beaches

Biarritz' raison d'être is its fashionable beaches, particularly the two central Grande Plage and Plage Miramar, which are lined end to end with sunbathing bodies on hot summer days. Stripy 1920s-style beach tents can be hired for €9.50 per day. The other central Biarritz beach is the tiny cove of Plage du Port Vieux which, thanks to its lack of swell, is the best one for young children to splash about on. North of Pointe St-Martin, the adrenaline-pumping surfing beaches of Anglet (the final 't' is pronounced) continue northwards for more than 4km. Take eastbound bus 9 (line C on Sunday and public holidays) from the bottom of av Verdun (just near av Édouard VII).

To the south, beyond the long, exposed Plage de la Côte des Basques, some 500m south of Port Vieux, are Plage de Marbella and Plage de la Milady. Take westbound bus 9 from rue Gambetta where it crosses rue Broquedis.