Biarritz where. Biarritz is a resort town in the Pyrenees-Atlantiques department.

27.09.2021

Biarritz- a fashionable resort, beloved by emperors and celebrities, "the royal beach and the king of all beaches." In the Middle Ages, Biarritz was a small fishing port where brave whalers lived. Legend has it that Biarritz acquired its name from the merger of two names - the beautiful Miarritz, a young villager, and her lover, a fisherman from Gascony, whom the girl saved during a shipwreck. However, what was the name of the saved Gascon, the legend is silent.

Video: Biarritz

Basic moments

Today Biarritz is a city full of bright colors and cultural life (all kinds of festivals, performances and concerts, numerous museums and exhibitions) with an eventful sports life (surfing championship, golf competitions, tennis courts and various sports centers).

But first of all, Biarritz is a prestigious thalassotherapy center with a full range of preventive and special treatment programs. The quality of the procedures provided, the modern equipment, the professionalism and constant care of the specialists of the most famous thalassotherapy centers, combined with the beauty of the ocean-fringed beaches and the life-giving force of the sea climate, make Biarritz irresistible!

Biarritz is one of the most beautiful cities Atlantic coast. The mild climate of the Atlantic has attracted and still attracts people from all over the world. Biarritz gained fame thanks to the wedding of Louis XVI and the Spanish princess Maria Teresa that took place here in the second half of the 18th century. The heart of Biarritz is the seaside boulevard Promenades, where steep cliffs drop right into the ocean. Of interest to tourists is the Museum of the Sea (Musee de la Mer) with numerous aquariums. The city has a Miniature Car Museum. Palaces, balneological clinics and golf courses are everywhere.

Eugenia Montijo, wife of Emperor Napoleon III, made Biarritz a fashionable resort. In 1854, a "villa Eugene" was built there for her. Now l "Hotel du Palais stands on this site. According to a tradition established since the middle of the 19th century, all high society gathers there in the summer.

Movie stars, famous actors and artists, high society from different countries peace. It was at this time, following their taste for a hectic life, that Biarritz was born, which we now know as a fashionable resort that has retained its originality, cordially welcomes its guests, and is always open to those who love life. Victor Hugo, having arrived in Biarritz in 1843, was fascinated by the white village with bright red roofs, and he prophesied a great future for her.

Frequent guests of Biarritz were members of the royal family of Russia. Empress Maria Feodorovna and the morganatic widow of Alexander II, Princess Yuryevskaya, came here. The Russian merchants Morozov and Ryabushinsky rested here. Very fond of Biarritz and the Russian intelligentsia. Nabokov spoke of this city with delight. With surprising warmth, Chekhov wrote in his letters.

Autumn and winter in Biarritz were often called the "Russian season" because of the large number of Russians who came here at that time. The Church of the Intercession, built at the end of the last century at the expense of Russians, was evidence of the great love of Russians for Biarritz. Holy Mother of God and St. Alexander Nevsky, which is still the decoration and pride of the city.

Those who can climb the lighthouse by climbing 248 steps will see the world at their feet. A variety of boutiques, restaurants, tea shops, bars mixed with quaint villas and small palaces makes Biarritz unique.

In Biarritz, there is also a large thalassotherapy institute, located 3 km from the airport and railway station. It offers various procedures based on sea water and mud therapy. These are general health courses and cosmetology services.

Climate

In winter, it has the highest temperatures in France.

Average temperatures:

  • March - April: from +12° to +15°,
  • in May: from +11° to +18°,
  • June and October: +17° to +20°,
  • July - September: from +16° to +23°,
  • November: from +11° to 15°,
  • December - January: from +5° to +12° C.

Attractions

Of the architectural sights, the Church of St. Eugene (Eglise Sainte Eugenie) should be noted. It was built in the Byzantine style in 1864 by order of Empress Eugenia. The Imperial Chapel and the Church of Saint-Martin, built in the 12th century and restored in the 16th century, attract tourists. The luxurious Hotel du Palais was also built by order of the Empress - in 1854. The Imperial Chapel was erected by the same Empress Eugenia in 1864. The Orthodox Cathedral attracts with its blue dome. City casino opened August 10, 1901. In addition, there is the Museum of Asian Art, the Museum of the Sea and the Museum of Chocolate. Sights include the covered city market.

The beaches of Biarritz

Wide sandy beaches Biarritz stretches from two rocky ledges - Cape Saint-Martin and the Atalay plateau to the famous northern beach of Chambre d'Amour ("Love Rooms"). Biarritz is a true Mecca for lovers active rest The most popular here are golf and windsurfing. Every year, international windsurfing competitions are held here, which attract professionals and amateurs from all over the world, and local schools of this sport are considered the best in Europe.

The Atlantic coast of France is famous for its wide sandy beaches. However, there is a problem of ebbs and flows here: in some areas the sea can go a whole kilometer from the coast.

sports attractions

In addition to wide sandy beaches, there are many opportunities for outdoor activities.

Surfing is king aquatic species sport has become a symbol of Biarritz and the region. However, he appeared here almost by accident - in 1956, when he was not yet known in Europe, only in Hawaii and California. The history of surfing began with Peter Virtel, an American filmmaker who came to V Biarritz with his wife, the famous actress Deborah Kerr, to film The Sun Also Rises. Then locals saw a surfer for the first time... In 1959, the first surf club "Waikiki Surf Club" appeared in Biarritz, in 1964 the French Surfing Federation was created with headquarters in Biarritz, in the 80s surfing became a mass hobby, and in 1987 The first professional competition among the 10 best surfers in the world took place here.

Local schools are some of the best in the world. If you are a beginner and want to learn this sport, then come here. Every year, international competitions are held in the coastal waters of the city.

You will be happy to join the aristocratic sports activities - horse riding, golf, tennis.

Rugby is as much a part of the tradition as surfing or Basque pelota (a cross between squash and baseball: the serving player, using a special racquet mitten, launches the ball into the wall, and the opponent tries to catch the ball bouncing off the wall with the same mitten). Biarritz, like the entire southwest of France, loves rugby.

Golf

The history of French and European golf began here. Biarritz Golf Club opened in 1888. For two centuries, this region has become a real Mecca for golf lovers in Europe. At a distance of 5 to 50 kilometers, about a dozen excellent clubs were built, varying in beauty, length and complexity. Golf in the vicinity of Biarritz is not so much a sport as poetry - an excellent mild climate, stunning views of the Atlantic Ocean.

The high importance of Biarritz in the world of golf is also due to the most famous European Golf Training Center. Its doors are open to everyone, regardless of age. The Hotel Du Palais has a deep respect for this sport. A small field is located right on the territory of the hotel. Every year during international tournaments and meetings, the hotel becomes the residence of the best golfers in the world.

For both professionals and beginners, Du Palais has prepared special offers.

Golf clubs

Golf de Biarritz Le Phare (open all year round)

Golf de Biarritz - was established in 1888 and is one of the oldest clubs in Europe. The golf club is located at a distance of 500 meters from the Hotel Du Palais and the city center in a picturesque coastal strip with a beautiful view of the ocean. Thanks to this location, on hot summer days, a light ocean breeze allows even the hottest players to enjoy their time at the club. The total length of the fields is 5,379 meters, the area is 30 hectares. The 18-hole course (from 6 to 3 pairs) has various courses (some are complicated by lowlands, water hazards and bunkers). 69 pairs in total. On the territory of the club: driving range, putting green, golf equipment rental, restaurant, boutique.

Chiberta (3 km from Hotel Du Palais)

Golf de Angelet Chiberta An 18-hole, par 71, 5,650 meter course in a picturesque setting between ocean and forest. Some holes are complicated by water hazards. On the territory of the club: driving range, putting green, golf equipment rental, restaurant, boutique.

La Nivelle (15 km from Hotel Du Palais)

Golf de la Nivelle Course 18 holes, par 70, 5587 meters. From here you have a beautiful view of the bay and mountains. On the territory of the club: driving range, putting green, golf equipment rental, restaurant, boutique.

Golf d'Arcangues (4 km from Hotel Du Palais)

Course 18 holes, par 72, 5650 meters Architect Ronald Fream, opened in 1990. On the territory of the club: driving range, putting green, golf equipment rental, restaurant, boutique.

Bassussarry (6 km from Hotel Du Palais)

Golf de Bassusarry - Makila Golf Club is amazing a nice place. The course was designed by American golf architect Rocky Roquemore (opened in 1993) and combines park style and classic "links", that is, it contains both wooded areas with ancient oaks and open glades. The total length of the field is 6,176 meters. 18-hole course (70 pairs). Some are complicated by various obstacles. Each hole offers a picturesque view of the snow-capped peaks of the Pyrenees. Training space (free admission) is represented by 12 artificial turf and 20 grass courts. The main golf professional of the club is the 1987 French professional champion Jean Lamaison. On the territory of the club: driving range, putting green, golf equipment rental, restaurant, bar, boutique.

Seignosse (30 km from Hotel Du Palais - open all year round)

Golf Blue Green de Seignosse is a game played on a huge space with unique relief contrasts (opened in 1989, architect Robbert Von Hagge). Professionals who played here note the unique beauty of this field and at the same time sufficient complexity. The fields from the first to the 6th hole are located in an amphitheater. Further up to the 11th hole, oaks and ship pines of stunning beauty stretch. 18-hole course (72 par), 6124 meters. The club invites golfers of all levels for a great practice on one of the most beautiful and quite challenging golf courses in Europe. On the territory of the club: driving range, putting green, golf equipment rental, restaurant, bar, boutique.

Treatment and recovery

Treatment with sea water is the main direction of local balneological centers. There is a very large thalassotherapy institute here. It covers an area of ​​3000 sq.m.

The choice of vacationers are a swimming pool with sea water, beauty salons, Jacuzzi, a variety of procedures. Here they practice underwater massage, various types of showers, ultrasound treatment, algae therapy, electrotherapy, sea aerosols. With the help of these procedures, you can quit smoking, lose weight, get rid of swelling of the legs and restore strength.

shopping

You will be able to appreciate the collection of boutiques and world-famous shopping houses that Biarritz is rightfully proud of.

Entertainment and nightlife

Entertainment

The special spirit of the resort is given by its vibrant cultural life - festivals, vernissages, world premieres, fashion shows, concerts, legendary shows. Here every day turns into a holiday - and the incomparable taste of the ocean in the air, like sparkling wine, fills the whole being with a premonition of joy.

Sunny Biarritz will meet and exceed the most optimistic expectations of the most sophisticated and ambitious guests. Biarritz is famous for its culinary traditions. The numerous restaurants serve gourmet French, Basque and Spanish cuisine. And, of course, how to forget the fireworks and the various festivities of Biarritz, when time passes merrily and carefree, the tables are bursting with delicacies and the music does not stop!

Spain is only 30 minutes away from here, which means that here you will find bullfights and amazing country Basque, whose culture festival is in full swing holiday season, in July. The cultural life of Biarritz is rich and varied: film festivals, art exhibitions, concerts.

In the evening you will find numerous restaurants, casinos, bars, discos. For shoppers, Biarritz offers boutiques of world-famous trading houses and fashion designers. A variety of fireworks festivities that take place in Biarritz all year round, and music that does not stop until the morning, will not let you forget this beautiful city!

Night life

The nightlife of the resort is lively and bright, which is facilitated by nightclubs and casinos in the city. The Casino Municipal contains both an informal slots section and an elegant room dedicated to table games. Go to the best night club Biarritz - Le Caveau or trendy Le Copa Cobana, where, along with regular music, you can dance to the rhythms of salsa and other Latin American music. Cuban music and tequila await you at Le Cayo Coco, and the best way to spend the setting sun is by sitting on the outdoor terrace and sipping cocktails at Cote 57.

How to get to Biarritz

To get to Biarritz, you need 2 tickets: one international to Paris and one local from Paris to Biarritz.

From Paris can be reached by plane from Orly Airport (up to 8 flights daily, 1 hour 20 minutes on the way) or by high-speed train TGV from Gare Montparnasse (8 times a day, 4 hours 30 minutes on the way) during the day or all night, for the same cost.

Transfer AIRPORT or railway station to Biarritz - about 30 euros.

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September 10th, 2012

Biarritz(Biarritz), located on the Atlantic coast of the Bay of Biscay, in the French part of the Basque Country, only about 25 kilometers (by car) from the border with Spain, is a fairly well-known European balneological resort (“balneotherapy” in Latin means “treatment bathing").
It's no joke to say that Emperor Napoleon III, Queen Amelie of Portugal, Empress Elisabeth of Austria, English kings Edward VII and George V, King Leopold II of Belgium, German Chancellor Otto von Bismarck and princes with princesses without counting rested in these places ... Actress Sarah Bernhardt, pianist Arthur Rubinstein and dozens of other world stars gave chamber concerts in the villas and chateau of Biarritz. Aleksey Tolstoy, Aleksey Gorky, Anton Chekhov, Prosper Merimee and Stendhal, Theophile Gauthier and Gustave Flaubert combined rest with work... an impressive list of names, isn't it?!


About the name of the city. Biarritz from the local (Basque) language is translated as "Two cliffs" (bi arri). According to another version: its name comes from the pre-existing Bearrids or Beiarriods "hips" (Bask.), that is, "to see", and means "a place from which one can see." And, finally, the third version of the name, associated with the legend, which said that Biarritz acquired its name from the merger of two names - the beautiful Miarritz, a young villager, and her lover, a fisherman from Gascony, whom the girl saved during a shipwreck. However, what was the name of the saved Gascon, the legend is silent.
But, you see, in any case, it sounds beautiful!))

What is known from the history of the city ... The Vikings were the first to inhabit the territory of the modern city in 840. They settled here because this place was ideal for catching whales. At first, the Biarritz fishermen lived freely. In the Middle Ages, they were recognized champions in catching whales. Demand gave birth to such a supply that pretty soon all the whales in local waters were knocked out. The 15th century became a black age for the Basques - whales stopped appearing in the Bay of Biscay. The last time whales were seen here was in 1686. But the whale still flaunts on the coat of arms of the city...
Since then, Biarritz has developed into a provincial town. But gradually, the Spanish nobles explored this place, appreciated its beauty, the convenience of bays and beaches, and began to come here to rest. The French followed suit. The Duchess of Montijo began visiting Biarritz in 1838. She always took her daughter with her - Eugene. It so happened that Eugenia later became the wife of the future Emperor Napoleon III (the nephew of that same Napoleon Bonaparte). Evgenia invited her husband to places she knew well. The husband was captivated by the beauty of the local landscapes, allocated considerable sums from the royal bounties and built a chic palace, which he named after his beloved wife - "Eugene". This event became no less important for Biarritz than the departure of whales to Pacific Ocean. In one year, the godforsaken village turned into a fashionable aristocratic resort of the same class as Deauville, La Baule and Nice with St. Tropez. Until now, the city lives by the names of Napoleon and Eugenia, although a century and a half have already passed since then...

Church of Sainte-Eugénie ( Eglise Sainte-Eugenie) in neo-Gothic style is dedicated to Saint Eugenie, the patroness of Empress Eugenie. It looks pretty modern. It is known that the first church dedicated to St. Eugenie was built in Biarritz as early as 1856. However, it was later demolished, and in 1898 the foundation stone of the current Saint-Eugène church was laid. Construction was completed in 1903. The bell tower above the entrance was built later than the main building - only in 1927, and in 1931 bells appeared in the temple.

A wide staircase leads to the entrance to the church, where the parishioners are met by the figure of a standard-bearer. The bas-relief above the entrance depicts the Virgin Mary holding the Christ child on her knees; the child stretches out his hand and, as it were, blesses the believers. The plot of the bas-relief to the right of the entrance reflects the ancient occupation of the inhabitants of Biarritz - whaling. The bas-relief on the right is made in the form of the city coat of arms.

Inside the church, the model of a three-masted warship above the altar and wonderful stained glass windows attract attention. Colorful paintings show the Sermon on the Mount, the Annunciation, the Entrance to Jerusalem.

It should be noted that here in almost every church where we went (both Biarritz and Bayonne) there are very beautiful stained-glass windows.
For example, in the church of St. Joseph, which is opposite the City Market (Halles) on Place Sobradiel. Stained glass windows with female saints (Genevieve, Joan of Arc, etc.):

Notable also Imperial Chapel(chapel) (La Chapelle Impériale) on Avenue de la Marne, erected by the architect Boeswillwald in 1864 by order of Empress Eugenia in a style that is a mixture of Byzantine and Spanish-Moorish. It was dedicated to the black maiden of the Mexican Mother of God Guadalupe (Notre- Dame de Guadalupe). It received the status of a historical monument in 1981.
The chapel is built of brick and consists of a single nave preceded by a portico and finished with a semicircular apse. Inside, everything is in white doves and the initials NE (Napoleon & Eugene).

In the garden in front of the chapel is a bust of the Empress.

View of the chapel from Avenue de la Reine Victoria (entrance from Avenue de la Marne):

It works for excursions only on Thursdays and Saturdays, from 14.30 to 18.00 - in the summer months, and in autumn and winter - only on Saturdays and until 17.00.

Next to Du Palais on the Avenue of the Empress (avenue de l "Imperatrice) stands Russian Orthodox Church of the Intercession of the Virgin and St. Alexander Nevsky, founded in 1879 and becoming a clear confirmation of the growing status of Biarritz in the eyes of the Russian Imperial House. It is known that earlier one of the halls of the palace of Empress Eugenia was temporarily assigned to the church.
This church is one of the rare Orthodox churches in the southwest of France, built by Princess Yurievskaya, widow of Emperor Alexander II. Here, in this church, the cousin of Emperor Nicholas II, Grand Duke Dmitry Pavlovich, and the American Audrey Emery got married.

For the first time I was in a two-story church building, the iconostasis is located on the second floor, where you climb a wide wooden staircase. For some reason, I immediately “smell of Russia” here, or maybe it was just incense ...

The church is surrounded by a wrought-iron fence, with a gate, on the right is a courtyard where one of the most expensive premium cars, a Porsche Cayenne Turbo, is parked, which allows us to conclude that churchmen abroad live well.)))

The history of Biarritz will, of course, tell you well Historical Museum of Biarritz(Musee Historique), which is located on Rue Broquelis, in the former St. Andre Anglican Church (Eglise St-Andre).

The museum tells about the stages of the city's history, starting from a small fishing port and ending with a developed coastal resort. Among the exposition of the museum are numerous costumes, furniture, paintings, photographs and other artifacts.

We also looked there...

I'll tell you about the coastal sights of the city ...

The city of Biarritz is known for its famous beaches, medicinal waters and amazing coastline, offering visitors a unique atmosphere. Here, chic restaurants and resorts stand side by side with small cozy pizzerias and numerous shops for surfers.

The atmosphere in Biarritz is quite mixed, in a good way. The city consists mainly of stately houses, filling the architecture of the resort with luxury and pomposity. At the same time, the streets of the city are not suffocated by snobs, but are filled with a simple and easy culture of surfers who turned the Biarritz resort into a kind of Mecca. This interesting contrast is part of the Biarritz identity.

Surfing is not just a very popular hobby in Biarritz, but has extremely deep roots here. Although not documented, surfing in Europe is said to have originated in 1957 on the beaches of Biarritz, on the Plage de la Côte des Basques, to be more precise.

The start of the holiday season in Biarritz

May in Biarritz is the last month of spring, and the weather at the end of the month enters a stunningly beautiful summer season. Biarritz is well located in the Bay of Biscay on the southwest coast of France in the Basque Country. The expected average daytime temperature is 18°C ​​(65°F). These are ideal conditions for sightseeing of the city itself and its surroundings.

Expert opinion

Knyazeva Victoria

Guide to Paris and France

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The average rainfall for May is about 114 mm. It usually rains for 16 days in May, and daylight hours last about 9 hours.

Around Biarritz, water temperatures average around 16 °C (61 °F) in May. Many surfers choose this particular month to raid the coasts. Visiting this particular month is actually very enjoyable as the weather starts to warm up but there are still not many other tourists around. The beaches are still clean, and families on holiday in Biarritz will find the water cool but pleasant.

The resort town of Biarritz is a popular resort located in the southwest of the French state, in the Pyrenees-Atlantiques department (Aquitaine region).

In fact, the borders of Biarritz run along the Basque Coast (Cote Basque) on Cape Saint Martin, adjoining close to the cities of Anglet and Bayonne. Biarritz is considered one of the best seaside climatic resorts Silver Coast of France.

In the "Belle Epoque" aristocrats and royalty rested here, and in our time, presidents and other dignitaries stop here. For prices and conditions, the city of Biarritz is comparable to Saint Tropez resort .

Thanks to the powerful waves of the Atlantic, Biarritz is a world famous center for surfing. Located 4 kilometers from the city international Airport linking the resort with many cities in France and Europe. The railway station is located 3 kilometers from the city center, travel time is up to Paris on the TGV high speed train is 5.5 hours.

The resort town of Biarritz is located on the border between the Basque lands and Gascony. On all municipal buildings of the department, next to the flags of France and the European Union, the red-green-white flags of the Basques are installed.

Geographic location of the city of Biarritz

The resort town of Biarritz is located on the territory of the Atlantic coast, in the south-west of France in the depths of the Bay of Biscay, in close proximity to the Spanish-French border. Cape Saint-Martin, on which the lighthouse of Biarritz is located, is the border between sandy beaches Silver coast of France, starting far north in the Gironde, and a steep rocky coast, stretching south from here into the Basque lands.

The city of Biarritz was built on several hills along the coast. Most city blocks face directly onto coves and sandy beaches, including central beach Grand-Plage, which is systematically mapped thanks to positioning systems and ships equipped with echo sounders.

In fact, the resort of Biarritz is located on the lands of the historical province of Labourdan at the western border between the Basque lands and Gascony. The territory of the commune is located at the extreme southern point of the area of ​​distribution of the Gascon language. According to the Sandre database, only the Atxinetxe canal flows through the territory of the commune, which, having passed through Anglet, flows into the Adour River in the territory of Bayonne.

In the past, until the beginning of the development of the city and the change of its stream beds, the local settlement was distinguished by a hilly area, partly overgrown with gorse, partly swampy, with streams and springs. These streams flowed into a pond located between the beaches of Marbella and Milady, on the site of which there is now a sewage treatment plant.

Attractions in Biarritz

One of the main attractions of Biarritz is the local casino, located almost on the banks of the Grand Plage, carefully restored in full accordance with the magnificent appearance of the 1930s.

And around it stretch low and rather "amorphous" quarters of the resort itself, the main points of attraction in which are the Church of Saint-Eugene (XIX century), the Imperial Chapel (XIX century), church Saint-Martin(XII-XVI centuries), Orthodox Cathedral of Alexander Nevsky(XIX century) and the Asian Museum with a good exposition of Indian and Tibetan art from the collection of Michel Postel.

In addition, the Museum of the Sea with an aquarium is very popular, as well as the picturesque old port of Pesce, built up restaurants and numerous villas, among which the most famous Hotel du Palais (now a five-star hotel, and in the past, Villa Eugene, built by Napoleon III in the middle 19th century for his wife, Empress Eugenie, whom the monarch met in Biarritz).

However, the most recognizable and famous symbol of the city of Biarritz remains towering on a coastal cliff. statue of the virgin(Virgin Mary), the steel overpass of which was built by Eiffel himself (creator eiffel tower).

Resort Biarritz

The resort town of Biarritz, which received wide recognition in the 19th century, was built on the site of a small whalers' village (which existed since the 11th century), which was noticed in 1843 by the writer Victor Hugo. He foresaw the possibility of turning Biarritz into one of the best summer resorts on the Atlantic coast.

Initially, the village had two residential areas: the quarter around the church of Saint-Martin and the quarter in the fishing port (Port-Vieux), which were under the protection of the castle of Belai or Ferragus. On the coat of arms of the settlement there is a large whaling barge, which still remains the main symbol of the city.

The local population is of Vascon origin; however, it is difficult to establish the presence of Basque or Gascon roots. Until 1790, Biarritz was part of the Basque province of Labourdan. The first lighthouse was built here in 1650.

Around the end of the 18th century, sea bathing came into fashion in France, and already in 1808 in Biarritz he took sea baths himself. Napoleon Bonaparte. In 1854, Empress Eugenia rested here, after which the emperor Napoleon III ordered the construction of Villa Eugene (Hotel du Palais). Subsequently, this circumstance began to attract many crowned heads of Europe to Biarritz, and the resort became famous as "the king of beaches and the beach of kings."

In October 1868, during the Biarritz regatta, the crews of the messenger ships of the flotilla west coast France Chamois and Argus had the honor of hosting the Empress Eugenie and her son the Prince of the Empire. It was Biarritz that became the meeting place in September 1865 of the "iron chancellor" Bismarck with Emperor Napoleon III, at which the German chancellor sought to enlist the support of the French monarch in Prussian politics.

To this day, several buildings unusual for this area have survived in Biarritz, including a two-domed Orthodox church, testifying to the popularity of Biarritz among the Russian aristocracy before the October Revolution (the magnificent visits of the Grand Dukes were not documented and remain an element of local folklore).

The beaches of Biarritz

The resort of Biarritz has a fairly large number of popular tourist places, but still the main attraction for which vacationers come here is the ocean.

By and large, the coast around the resort cannot boast of an abundance of beaches - the rocky spurs of the Pyrenees everywhere go to the very edge of the surf, forming high coastal ledges and rocky headlands. However, at their foot there is a whole series of relatively small beaches with clean sand, which can be reached from Biarritz by municipal transport (buses).

The beach areas of Milady, Marbella, Côte des Basques (there are several surf schools), Port Vieux, Grand Plage and Miramar are considered the most popular recreation areas among tourists.

Last time resort town Biarritz has become the largest center of thalassotherapy - several health resorts operate here on a permanent basis, using both the favorable natural and climatic features of the region and mineral waters brought from Brisk (20 kilometers from Biarritz) in the process of recovery.

A little further south is another suburban resort - Anglet (Anglet, Angelu), stretching along the coast from Pointe Saint Martin to La Bar. Apart from excellent beaches, wider and more deserted than in Biarritz, there is nothing interesting here.

More photos of the sights of the resort town of Biarritz here: Photo gallery