Biarritz - the pearl of the south of France
Almost everyone knows about the French Riviera, but not everyone has heard of the small town of Biarritz, located in the southwest of the country. But it was not always so. Once this city was the most popular resort among the French nobles and famous people from all over the world. What has changed in the city since then?
Biarritz has long been under the rule of the English monarchy. This left an imprint on its appearance and the structure of the city. Rich and influential Englishmen, usually persons close to power, built mansions and castles in the city, where they rested with their families. The same trend continued after Biarritz became part of France. Many of these buildings have survived to this day. For example, the Hotel du Palais, which was built for the French Empress, and which served as her summer residence. It was turned into a hotel in 1893.
Other famous people followed the imperial personages into the city. The British royal family, the Spanish king Alfonso XIII, the writers Chekhov, Aksenov and Nabokov, the singer Chaliapin loved to relax here.
What to see in Biarritz?
The main advantage of this region is undoubtedly its climate. Winters are warm and summers are not very hot. Therefore, you can come to Biarritz at any time of the year.
4 km from the city is the airport Biarritz-Anglet-Bayonne, which serves both local and international flights. It is easy to get from the airport to the city by taxi or a rented car, which can be booked in advance on Bookingautos. Getting around the city in a rental car has many advantages, so it's worth considering seriously.
At city website You can learn a lot of interesting things about the history of the city and its main attractions. Here you can also find affordable rental housing options and always be aware of what events will be held in the city in the near future. Biarritz is a city of eternal celebration. Various entertainment events and festivals take place here from April to October.
In Biarritz, the first thing to do is to plunge into the water of the Bay of Biscay. The beaches of this city are characterized by high waves, which has become the reason that surfers from all over the world have recently come here. For small children, these beaches may not be very suitable, but there is a beach near the Old Port called Le Port Vieux, where the sea is calm and does not pose a threat to the little ones.
After the beach, it is worth climbing the lighthouse of Biarritz, located on Cape Saint-Martin. From its platform offers an amazing view of the city. Since Biarritz is located on the border with Spain, some argue that on a clear day you can see the Spanish coast from the lighthouse.
Coming to Biarritz, do not forget to bring an evening dress or suit with you. It has a very vibrant nightlife. Many tourists go to one of the city's many casinos at night to try their luck.
Biarritz is home to Ocean Museum. Even before the opening of the museum, many well-known publications drew attention to the uniqueness of its architecture. It even won the Building of the Year title.
Where to go next to Biarritz?
Nearby is the city of Bayonne, which can be reached by regular bus or by car. The journey will take 30-40 minutes. The city falls in love with itself from the first minutes with its narrow streets, old houses and brightly painted shutters. If you come to that city in the summer, then there is a chance to look at one of the Basque festivals, during which the city is beautifully decorated and many interesting events are held, including bullfighting.
Local cuisine and restaurants
There are two national cuisines in this region - Gascon and Basque. The first includes different types of cheese, goose liver and puff pies. And the second is characterized by an almost complete absence of seasonings in dishes. Most often, only salt and garlic are used to add flavor to the dish. It is worth trying the traditional Basque dish "squid in ink".
A few of the best restaurants in Biarritz according to tourist reviews:
· < a href="https://www.facebook.com/leO2verdun" target="_blank">Le O2 Verdun (49 Avenue de Verdun, +33 5 59 22 39 94);
· El Callejon (5 Rue Monhaut, +33 5 59 24 99 15);
· La Marine (28 Rue Mazagran, +33 5 59 24 34 09).
Parking in Biarritz
There are paid and free parking lots in Biarritz. You need to carefully look at the markings on the asphalt. If it says Payant, then parking is paid. Or pay attention to the presence or absence of payment machines nearby. On average, the price for parking in Biarritz does not exceed 3 euros per hour. Cheap parking addresses:
· Parking Indigo Biarritz Bellevue (15 Pl. Georges Clemenceau);
· Parking Indigo Biarritz Verdun Médiathèque (5 Rue Beau Séjour);
Parking Indigo Biarritz Halles Clemenceau (16 Av. du Maréchal Foch).
