Grand by name, grand by nature, Biarritz’ vast main beach has been the place at which to be seen since the days of Napoléon II and Eugénie. It's wall to wall with bodies on summer days, and dramatically deserted in winter. Hire iconic, striped, 1920s-style beach tents and two beach chairs for €14 per half-day.
Lonely Planet's must-see attractions
27.54 MILES
Though modern St-Jean has expanded considerably, during medieval times the entire town was enclosed by defensive ramparts guarding France's southwestern…
24.78 MILES
Fulfilling almost every idea of how a perfect city beach should be formed, Playa de la Concha (and its westerly extension, Playa de Ondarreta) is easily…
24.57 MILES
Fear for your life as huge sharks bear down behind glass panes, or gaze at otherworldly jellyfish. The highlights of a visit to the city's excellent…
23.7 MILES
Stretching 800m in front of Gros, from the Kursaal to Monte Ulía, 'Zurri', as it's known locally, has some excellent waves that draw surfers from near and…
8.54 MILES
The plain façade of France’s largest and finest Basque church conceals a splendid interior with a magnificent Baroque altarpiece. It was in front of this…
4.09 MILES
The twin towers of Bayonne's Gothic cathedral soar above the city. Construction began in the 13th century, and was completed in 1451. Above the north…
Musée Basque et de l'Histoire de Bayonne
4.26 MILES
If you're still getting to grips with the complex culture and history of the Basque region, this excellent ethnographic museum is a great place to start…
23.91 MILES
Designed by Rafael Moneo and opened in 1999, the Kursaal is one of the city's most striking buildings. Consisting of two cubes made of translucent glass…
Nearby Biarritz attractions
0.12 MILES
Dominating the northern end of the Grande Plage is the massive 19th-century Hôtel du Palais, built for Empress Eugénie and now a luxury hotel – complete…
2. Église Orthodoxe de Biarritz
0.16 MILES
This Russian Orthodox church dedicated to the Virgin Mary and Saint Alexandre Nevsky was built by and for the Russian aristocrats who frequented Biarritz…
0.18 MILES
Built in 1864 on the instructions of Empress Eugénie, this glitzy church mixes Byzantine and Moorish styles, and the plaza in front has a superb view of…
0.23 MILES
A little bit north of the Grande Plage, on the way to the lighthouse, plage Miramar is packed on summer days.
0.38 MILES
The neo-Gothic Église Ste-Eugénie was built in 1864 for – who else? – Empress Eugénie, and sits on a prominent spot in the old port.
0.51 MILES
Housed in a wonderful art deco building near the old port, Biarritz' Musée de la Mer is seething with underwater life from the Bay of Biscay and beyond,…
0.53 MILES
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…
0.54 MILES
A good option for families due to its sheltered aspect, this tiny wedge of sand is just under the Musée de la Mer.