Aletta Fischer

Mr. Cian
French 1
October 5, 2015

Biarritz, France
Home of the annual Surf Festival and the Museum of the Sea, Biarritz is a wonderful vacation
spot for tourists. Busy in the summer, Biarritz has something for everyone- the hustle and bustle
of the surfing scene and also peace and elegance.
11 miles, 40 minutes, away from the boarder of Spain and about 5 miles away from Bayonne,
the chocolate capital of France, lies Biarritz. Its mild climate and rocky coastline on the Atlantic
coast make it the perfect place to be the surfing capital of Europe. The summer is the busiest time
of the year in Biarritz. The average temperature in the summer is 24 degrees Celsius. Biarritz
first became popular in the 18th century when doctors claimed that the oceans at Biarritz had
therapeutic properties, which inspired patients to make pilgrimages to the beach for cures. It
was also originally a resort in the mid-19th century when Napoleon III and his Spanish wife,
Empress Eugenie, visited there regularly. A palace was built for the empress and is now
renovated as the famous Hotel de Paris. This stylish coastal town has stunning beaches that
attract many tourists. It was once the vacation spot for nobility. Biarritz attracts surfers from all
around the world due to its beautiful beaches and perfect waves. Surfers from around the world
make this their prime destination. Biarritz embraces three main cultures, French, Basque, and
Spanish. The city is loaded with festivals, restaurants, and culture. Aside from the busy scene of
surfing and night-life, Biarritz is also very calming and elegant. With its picturesque inland

mountain villages and gorgeous beaches, this city has it all. A promenade runs between the sandy
beaches of the Grand Plage, which faces northwest, and the Cote des Basques. Once a small
fishing village, Biarritz is known as the queen of resorts and the resort of kings because it was
visited by Queen Victoria, Edward VII, and Alfonso XIII of Spain. People say Biarritz is the
hidden French gem. During the French Revolution, the region was known as the Lower
Pyrenees and was acknowledged as one of the calmest areas during a very difficult and turbulent
era. It is amazing how a town that was once a small fishing village has turned into such a
beautiful and famous place for vacationing and relaxing. Tourism is diversified in Biarritz,
France. The small town is able to be explored on foot and most often is. Biarritz is a safe place to
travel. The only risk is being pulled by the strong sea currents but if you are careful, that
probably wont be a problem. Biarritz is a beautiful town with something for everyone. Biarritz
is truly a hidden French gem.

Works cited
www.tripadvisor.com
www.lonelyplanet.com
www.biarritzfrance.net
www.biarritz.co.uk
www.eupedia.com
www.britannica.com
www.informationfrance.com
www.stayresfrance.com
www.happytellus.com
www.angletrentalfr.com