Grande Plage

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A crowded summer beach lined with brightly striped canvas tents and parasols, below a white belle-époque hotel, with rocks in the sea beyond.

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.

In season, hire iconic, striped, 1920s-style beach tents and two beach chairs for around €15 per half-day.

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