biarritz summer beach

Biarritz & Pays Basque

Photo by Peter Schlesinger, courtesy Indagare

Founded by Emperor Napoléon III and his wife, Eugenie, the seaside resort of Biarritz has always had international flair. It’s not as glitzy as the Côte d’Azur but has great, large beaches and a bustling surfing scene, as well as a hippie-cool vibe reminiscent of southern California.

  • Perfect for
    Families | Romantics | Soul Searchers
  • When to go
    March-May | June-August | September-November
  • Ideal length of stay
    3-5 Nights

Designing Your Journey

Work with Indagare to design the perfect itinerary for an immersive journey. Our travel experts know the destination inside and out, and they can make recommendations based on your travel needs and preferences.

  • 6 Days: Essential Southwestern France–Biarritz_and_Pays_Basque-LP
    Saint Jean de Luz

    6 Days: Essential Southwestern France

    From Bordeaux, it’s a two-hour train ride to Biarritz, a seaside resort that was founded by Emperor Napoléon III. The surrounding French Basque region, including myriad famous villages, is best explored on a guided tour in a fire-red Citroen 2CV. Here is just one example of what our destination experts can create for you.

    • Days 1-3: Bordeaux

      Explore this bustling southwestern city with its glorious historic old town and trendy emerging neighborhoods. It’s a fabulous place for foodies with excellent bistros. Experience a performance at the Grand Théâtre de Bordeaux and have a plugged-in tour guide take you into the wine region just beyond the city or to the coast to see Europe’s largest sand dune.

    • Days 4-6: Biarritz & Environs

      From Bordeaux, take a two-hour train ride to Biarritz, a seaside resort close to the Spanish border that’s small enough to be easily explored on foot. Sign up for a surf class, tour neighboring St.-Jean de Luz and go shopping for espadrilles. Indagare can also organize a countryside excursion with a Citroen 2CV, a fun way to see the scenic Basque region.

    • Days 7-8: Relaxation

      Your final nights in southwestern France should be spent relaxing in a beautiful location, whether at a wine château, an acclaimed restaurant and spa resort or in the vineyards near Bordeaux. Indagare can organize a classic countryside sojourn.

Where To Stay

We only feature hotels that we can vouch for first-hand. At many of them, Indagare members receive special perks, including upgrades, early check-in, spa credits, and more. Look for the Indagare Plus logo in the reviews.

  • Member Stories

    "Your recommendations for Biarritz were awesome! Le Surfing had a really cool and hip vibe, and we liked that it was on the water and you could see all the surfers."
    F.J. and A.S., members since 2017 
Indagare's Simone Girner
“One of my favorite discoveries in Biarritz were the so-called crampotte that line the cute Port des Pecheurs. They are small wooden buildings that were used for storing equipment. One, called Crampotte 30, has been turned into a lovely little tapas place. You can snack on charcuterie, cheese and wine, sitting on rustic wooden tables, and the atmosphere is wonderful.”
Ready to go and in need of expert trip planning? Contact us today.

What To Read

Everything we recommend is sourced first-hand by our well-traveled team and incredible network of insiders and resources around the world. Here are some the latest articles, interviews, and book and film recommendations not to be missed.

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