Biarritz

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Situated in the Bay of Biscay, Biarritz is a fashionable french seaside resort with a lovely all year mild climate. Concentrated in the French Basque region the Biarritz landscape and location are ideal for the perfect summer holiday. Nicknamed 'la Californie de l'Europe' (the California of Europe) because of its popularity, it is sometimes difficult to imagine that once the resort of Biarritz was purely a whaling port. Today you would be hard pressed to avoid the games of cesta punta and striped bathing tents about the beach. With an international crowd of jet-setters descending upon Biarritz every Summer, the city is geared up for tourism with its well-groomed perfect sandy beaches, back to back swanky hotels and restaurants and plenty of glorious sunshine

Originally, Biarritz's beginnings were far from glamorous! A million miles from the glitzy image it has today, with generously foyeed elegant hotels and the languishing of the rich and famous upon the decks of moored up multi million dollar yachts, Biarritz was once merely a small inlet from the sea engrossed in the local trade of whaling.

A poor and isolated town which relied completely on fishing, the local people would be found on the beaches stripping down freshly harpooned whales for a variety of uses. While whale can be eaten, its uses were multi-dimensional and amongst other things, whale oil was used for lamps and bones were utilized for fencing. The whale played a huge role in the running of the local community. Where now you see bathing tents, there were once ovens to melt the blubber. Less sophisticated beginnings stamp the history of this now popular resort.

Biarritz's early bathing history began as far back as the seventeenth century but was actually frowned upon by officials. It wasn't until the eighteenth century when bathing was claimed to have healing properties that council officials condoned the practise. Napoleon III and his new bride purchased a holiday home in Biarritz and by doing this therefore set off the trend for royal visitors to the local seaside resort.

When it rains in Biarritz, expect it to be over almost as quickly as it starts. This is typical of the Basque coast region where rain comes in mad bursts of about an hours duration. During the Summer, while the sunshine is plentiful it is very rare that the heat is ever unbearable on the local beaches. During the winter, Biarritz enjoys warmer temperatures than its neighbours.

In Biarritz there are some very impressive local museums. Art lovers will enjoy the art gallery Musee Bonnat. Expect to view an excellent collection of masters that extend to Leonardo da Vinci, Rembrandt and Goya. A thrill! Hoping to learn some more about the Basque culture and history then head over to the Musee Basque. The Musee de la Mer provides information on the significance of whaling to the region as well as offering an interesting breakdown of underwater life forms off the Biarritz shores.

For a breathtaking view across the Bay, a trip up the Lighthouse is very satisfying and for some stylish tapas in an attractive district check out the Fishing Port. A top sight-seeing tip is to not leave Biarritz without tracking down the exotic blue domed Russian Orthodox Church built by holidaying Russian royalty.

Biarritz Airport

Biarritz Airport is only 3 km from the town centre. Taxis are available outside the Terminal and take just 5 minutes to complete the journey into town. Taxi fare is 9.15 (GBP 6.30 ). Buses to Biarritz are every 40 minutes into Biarritz town centre as well as the Anglet-beaches and historical Bayonne. Fare is EUR 1.07 (GBP 0.74 ).