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| Biarritz beach and casino – Image courtesy of GDFL/Creative Commons | ||||||||
Biarritz Honeymoon, FranceThe glamorous resort of Biarritz has been attracting holidaymakers and aristocracy to its golden-sand beaches since the 1850s, when Napoleon III and his Spanish-born wife Eugénie first built a holiday villa on La Grande Plage. Biarritz is now regarded as one of the best beaches in the world and is the perfect spot for a honeymoon or romantic getaway holiday in France. Renowned for some of Europe’s best surfing conditions, its impressive fin de siècle (end of the century) architecture, a choice of golf courses, luxurious spas, fine dining restaurants, al fresco cafés and hotels – including Napoleon’s former holiday villa – Biarritz is still one of Europe’s most stylish beach resorts. Things to do and seeStroll the quai de la Grande Plage, a waterfront promenade lined with architectural treasures including the palatial Hotel du Palais and the Eglise Orthodoxe Russe, a Byzantine-style church built in 1892 by and for the Russian aristocrats who frequented Biarritz before the Russian Revolution. Savour an al fresco espresso in the Place St Eugenie, which sits at the southern end of La Grande Plage, then admire the 12th century Eglise St Martin (church) before meandering down a switchback pathway to the picturesque Port des Pêcheurs, crowded with seafood restaurants. From the picturesque plateau de l’Atalaye, located at the southern end of La Grande Plage, take a bracing walk out to the Rocher de la Vierge (Rock of the Virgin), a surf-pounded promontory with great sea views. Browse chic boutiques around Place Clemenceau and savour tasty sweets at the Chocolate Museum. After dark, explore Biarritz’s range of pavement cafés, trendy bars and lively nightclubs. Or join the high rollers at Casino de Biarritz – the largest casino in southwest France. Biarritz is located in southwest France at the southern end of the Côte d'Argent (Silver Coast), a 200km-long stretch of sandy coastline – the longest in Europe. This endless stretch of white-sand beach is backed by high sand dunes that merge into the largest forest in Western Europe, known as Les Landes. Biarritz offers two great coastal walks: Follow the Promenade du Bord de Mer, a cliff-top path that winds along the coast through manicured rock gardens to Pointe St Martin. From here you can descend a staircase along the paved allée Winston-Churchill to Plage Miramar or continue on to the 73m-high Phare de Biarritz lighthouse, which stands at the northern edge of Plage Miramar and offers panoramic views of the coast. To the southern side of Biarritz lies La Perspective de la Côte des Basques, a picturesque walk that leads to Plage de la Côte des Basques, a popular surf beach. AccommodationBiarritz offers a range of resort accommodation options including the stylish art deco Hotel Plaza and the deluxe Hotel du Paris – the finest hotel along the Basque coast, originally built as a holiday villa by Napoleon III for his wife. | ||||||||
Best time to visit Biarritz?The best time for a Biarritz honeymoon is between June and September when daytime temperatures average 25°C. July and August are the peak season months. For more climate info: Biarritz Weather Guide LocationBiarritz is around 8km from Bayonne, 17km from the Spanish border and 779km from Paris. Getting thereFrequent high-speed TGV trains run from Paris to Biarritz. Alternatively, you can fly direct to Biarritz from Paris or London. Biarritz-Anglet-Bayonne Airport is 3km from the city centre. How to get to Biarritz . . . |
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| Last updated: 23 April, 2012 | ||||||||
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