Things to do in Biarritz
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Thermes Marins
Thermes Marins offers Thalassotherapy (literally, 'sea healing'). Like the other centres in Biarritz that offer this service, Thermes Marins squirts people with high pressure hoses, pummells them and massages them, and then smeares them in mud and seaweed. More and more swear by thalassotherapy both as an antidote to 21st-century problems such as stress, obesity and insomnia and as a cure for physical ailments.
Then again, the sceptical might say that a couple of swift laps swum around the bay or a nice warm bath at home with a kilo of salt, dash of iodine and a rubber duck might do just as much for you.
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Musée de la Mer
Housed in a wonderful art deco building, Biarritz' Musée de la Mer is seething with underwater life from the Bay of Biscay and beyond, as well as exhibits on fishing recalling Biarritz' whaling past. It's the seals that steal the show though (feeding time, which is always a favourite with children, is at 10.30am and 5pm). In high season it's possible to have the place almost to yourself by visiting late at night.
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Miremont
Operating since 1880, this grande dame of a place harks back to the time when belle-époque Biarritz was simply the beach resort of choice for the rich and glamorous of Europe. Today it still attracts perfectly coiffured hairdos (and that's just on the poodles) but the somewhat less chic are also now welcome to come and partake of a fine selection of teas, cakes and views over the bay.
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Musée d'Art Oriental Asiatica
Out on the edge of town is this unexpected treasure trove of ancient Indian, Chinese and Tibetan statues, monuments and temple artwork. The layout is a bit haphazard, but the information cards (in several languages) clearly explain the significance of the objects. It's generally considered the finest collection of its type outside Paris.
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Casa Juan Pedro
Down by the old port, which is something of a hidden little village of wooden fishing cottages and old-timers, is this cute little fishing-shack restaurant. The gregarious atmosphere ensures that you can wash down your tuna, sardines or squid with plenty of friendly banter from both the staff and other customers. There are several similar neighbouring places.
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Le Clos Basque
With its tiles and exposed stonework hung with abstract art, this tiny place could have strayed in from Spain. The cuisine, however, is emphatically Basque, traditional with a contemporary twist or two, such as sirloin with green mustard, or stuffed eggplant with saffron. Reserve ahead to secure a terrace table.
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Spa Kémana
Spa Kémana is one of the three Thalassotherapy (literally, 'sea healing') centres in Biarritz. Each year it's estimated that over 200,000 French allow themselves to be squirted with high pressure hoses, pummelled and massaged, smeared in mud and seaweed - all in the name of Thalassotherapy.
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Thalassa Biarritz
Thalassa Biarritz is one of the three Thalassotherapy (literally, 'sea healing') centres in Biarritz. Thalassotherapy is when people allow themselves to be squirted with high pressure hoses, pummelled and massaged, smeared in mud and seaweed and come away smiling. It's big business in France.
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Tikia
'Tikia' is the Basque word for small. The restaurant's indeed modestly sized, though the same can't be said of the brochettes, giant skewers of duck, steak or seafood. For lighter appetites, there's a good selection of salads and local wines, all topped off with friendly service.
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Rocher de la Vierge
At the end of Pointe Atalaye is Rocher de la Vierge (Rock of the Virgin), named after its white statue of the Virgin and child. Views from this impressive outcrop extend to the mountains of the Spanish Basque Country.
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Bistrot des Halles
One of a cluster of decent restaurants along rue du Centre that get their produce directly from the nearby covered market, this bustling place serves excellent fish and other fresh fare from the blackboard menu in an interior adorned with old metallic advertising posters.
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Le Crabe-Tambour
Named after the famous 1977 film of the same name (the owner was the cook for the film set), this friendly local place, a little way out of the centre, offers great seafood for a price that is hard to fault. The prawns in garlic are particularly good.
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Bleu Café
It might be a cliché but nothing really beats plonking yourself down on the beachfront terrace here and watching the waves roll in while sipping a morning coffee, evening sundowner or tucking into one of the light lunches.
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Red Bar
You mightn't think a rugby bar would attract trendsetters, but this temple to Biarritz Olympique (their colours are red and white – hence the name), with reggae and '70s rock in the background, will make you think again.
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Pare Gabia
Vincent Corbun continues his grandfather's business, established in 1935, making and selling espadrilles in a rainbow of colours and styles (customised with ribbons and laces while you wait). A pair starts from €10.
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La Goulue
This brasserie with its reproduction belle époque décor, mirrors and ancient gramophones offers traditional French cooking with a nod or two towards the Basque country and Les Landes, to the north.
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Église Ste-Eugénie
The neo-Gothic Église Ste-Eugénie was built in 1864 for - who else? - Empress Eugénie.
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Crêperie
The simple name reveals a simple crêperie-cum-snack-bar where you can either settle down in one of the stalls and chat away to the lovely owner or take away for a beachside picnic. It's open all day.
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Euskal-Jaï
Between mid-June and mid-September, Euskal-Jaï in the Parc des Sports d'Aguiléra complex, 2km east of central Biarritz, has regular professional cesta punta matches. Bus No 1 stops nearby.
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Le Lodge
Disregard the indifferent African art and naff zebra- and leopard-skin tablecloths. Concentrate instead upon the pleasures of Le Lodge's traditional cuisine and you'll enjoy a fine dining experience.
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Planète Musée du Chocolat
Delve into this real-life Charlie and the Chocolate Factory for an indulgent exploration through the world of chocolate, from its earliest beginnings to the mass production of today.
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Chapelle Impériale
Near the Église Alexandre Newsky is the doll’s-house-sized Chapelle Impériale, constructed in 1864. Empress Eugénie was the inspiration for this.
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Le Vivier des Halles
The fish could almost flap their way up the road from the nearby covered market to this place, where the seafood is very reasonably priced and the hot fish soup a special delight.
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Le Caveau
One of the two discos near the Biarritz town centre is Le Caveau. It is a long-running temple of Euro-house, with a pumping sound system and caters to a gay and mixed crowd.
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Arena Café Bar
Tucked into a tiny cove, this beachfront hang-out combines a style-conscious restaurant (mains €15 to €22) with a fuchsia- and violet-tinged bar with DJs on the turntables.
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