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Biarritz - the most famous beach on the Côte Basque

At one time, royalties loved to spend some time there, Napoleon III, the Empress Eugenie* and Queen Victoria were all regulars. Nowadays you are more likely to meet Mister or Misses body beautiful with their surf boards ready to ride the waves of the Atlantic. It is also THE destination for golfing and getting back into shape. Biarritz is also high up on the list of perfect places for anyone with a sweet tooth with many chocolate and pastry shops.
SLEEP at the Villa Le Goeland*, perched on top of the plateau of Atalaye and facing the Rocher de la Vierge, it offers a panoramic view of the ocean from the Landes coast to the Spanish shores. Situated in the heart of the city and only 50 metres from the beach, Elisabeth and Paul Daraignez will welcome you in their family home complete with turrets. Rooms from €130 to €250, all with sea views. 

Overlooking the Grande Plage, the Villa Eugenie* was built in 1854 by Napoleon III for his wife the Empress Eugenie*. Today it is a prestigious address and one of the last palaces of world-fame. The Hotel du Palais, its red façade like a blazing splash of colour near the ocean and the lighthouse, has 134 rooms and 22 suites, 3 restaurants, swimming pool and fitness rooms. The talented chef, Jean-Marie Gautier, who has run the kitchens since 1991, recently received the Worldwide Hospitality Award for the best chef of the world’s hotel restaurants. On offer, a special September package, 2 nights minimum, including breakfast, gastronomic dinner and half a bottle of Champagne in the room, from €495 per night (for two sharing a double room).

EAT at Chez Philippe, a typical Biarritz house with a stylish mix of contemporary and bohemian decor where Philippe cooks with a wood oven and produces creative dishes with seasonal produce for a clientele of connoisseurs. He has worked with some of the big name chefs such as Ducasse, Chibois and Bouchet. Open for dinner only with a menu at €41 offering a choice of 5 starters, 5 main courses and 5 desserts. One of his signature dishes is the suckling pig roasted in wood oven “dolce forte”. 30 avenue du Lac Marion, tel 33 5 59 23 13 12

« Sea, food and sun », this is a fit description for the Bar “Cote* 57” overhanging the Cote* des Basques where surfing was born in 1957. This is a magnificent spot to start the evening, in a deckchair, sipping a cocktail and watching the sun go down before settling in for dinner. 7 boulevard Prince de Galles, tel 33 5 59 22 27 83.

ENJOY THE NIGHT at the “Carre* Coast” club, a must in modern decor with an eclectic mix of music. The ideal place to start your evening in a zen atmosphere and finish the night amidst the people who have made its reputation, as a place of cool and sophistication. The view of the ocean will amaze the revelers as much as the video and photo projections and the lighting created from the latest technologies.

BE PAMPERED at Spa Kemana recently opened by Serge Betsen who plays in the French Rugby team. Spa Kemana, the seal of serenity, has an innovative concept, a multi-sensorial spa which offers to reconcile oneself with the most precious thing in life, serenity. Kemana comes from the Basque dialect “kemen” meaning energy/vitality. At Kemana, Betsen created an unique place of purity and elegance where he advocates a way of living that links beauty rituals, complete relaxation and physical exercise, together with one to one coaching. It is situated within the Radisson SAS Hotel Biarritz 4* and is open to non-residents.

PLAY A FEW ROUNDS. With 10 golf courses within a 30km radius and the second oldest golf course in continental Europe (Biarritz Le Phare), Biarritz also boasts an unique training centre in Europe, the Ilbarritz International Centre located over 26 hectares, right on the edge of the sea, where the mountains vanish into the ocean, a view not to be missed ! It offers amateurs all the modern techniques to improve their game including the use of video and a 9 hole course.

A golf pass is available giving access to five of the most beautiful courses on the southern Basque coast of the Landes, Arcangues, Biarritz Le Phare, Bassussarry, Moliets, Seignosse, offering the golfer the possibility of playing 5 different courses within a 50km radius in one week. Cost €280 per person in high season (from 4 July to 31 August) and €220 pp in low season, on sale at each participating golf course.

INDULGE YOURSELF whilst strolling through town where you will soon notice many shop windows displaying chocolate and cakes, all trying to compete in creativity. At Dodin, 7 rue Gambetta, you can try the “beret* basque”, an Izarra flavoured chocolate mousse sponge cake, the “Kanougas” a special blend of toffee and chocolate mousse and in their tearoom you can sample one of the most famous hot chocolates of the region.

At Henriet, place Clemenceau*, Serge Couzigou, a master chocolate maker who also has many other specialities such as macaroons, candied fruits, the Biarritz rocks, still finds time to make chocolate sculptures you can admire at the chocolate museum. www.chocolaterie-henriet.com. The chocolate museum at 14 avenue Beau Rivage, cost €6 and €3 for children under 12. www.lemuseeduchocolat.com

For further information on any of the above, please contact us in the Maison de la France Press Office on 020 7399 3535.