Biarritz — Kissed by Boldness

Surfing in front of a dreamlike backdrop: Since the mid-19th century, Biarritz has magically attracted board sports fans and has made a name for itself as the European surfing capital. But that’s not all the city has to offer. Biarritz began as a whaling village and evolved into a thermal town under Empress Eugénie. The eclectic, sublime architectural heritage bears witness to the city’s rich history.

Victor Hugo fell in love with the charm of the wild, raw beauty of the landscapes, the spray-splashed rocks, dunes, and expansive heathlands. However, the writer feared that the city would become “fashionable” and thus lose its charm and fire. In this year, 1843, Biarritz had just begun its transformation. Soon, a true hype about the destination would break out, lasting to this day.

The fishing village of Biarritz lived off whaling from the 12th century. When the marine mammals were exterminated in the mid-17th century, the city had to reinvent itself and take advantage of the beauty of the ocean. Bathing in the sea was considered a remedy for various ailments at that time — a perfect opportunity to jump on this bandwagon. From 1784, sea bathing gained mass appeal. The story could have ended here, and Biarritz would have remained a small port town, highly favored by Spanish holidaymakers.

Among these guests was Eugénie de Montijo, who hailed from Granada and often spent bathing vacations in Biarritz with her mother and sister. It is said that she was a fearless swimmer. In July 1850, she was nearly drowned when a current swept her out to sea. However, the young woman was rescued by two Basques. This incident did not deter her. She continued to shower the seaside resort with her boundless love. When she married Napoleon III and became Empress Eugénie, she chose Biarritz as a summer retreat. In the summer of 1854, the couple bought a plot of land on which the Villa Eugénie, the summer residence of the imperial couple, would soon be built. A fire that broke out in the attic of the villa on the night of February 1, 1903, destroyed this architectural gem. Within just three hours, the flames had consumed the entire building. In the same year, the ruins of Villa Eugénie were bought by Alfred Boulant, who already owned two casinos in the city. He built the Hôtel du Palais, which now belongs to the Hyatt Group.

Thanks to the presence of the imperial couple, Biarritz became a trendy destination for the high society. In 1865, for example, Bismarck came here to bring about an agreement in French and Russian politics that would pave the way for international tourism. Since then, an Orthodox church proudly towers near the Grande Plage. This was followed by incredible urban growth: bathing infrastructures, beach promenades, luxury hotels, and above all, villas were built. Only the Crampottes, the typical fishing houses of the city, still recall the humble past. Some of them have been preserved and converted into bars and restaurants near the beach.

On the other hand, one of the most imposing buildings is the iconic Villa Belza, a work by the architect Alphonse Bertrand. With its rectangular floor plan and neo-medieval keep, it majestically and proudly overlooks the ocean. Stories and legends abound around this dreamlike structure — it is almost as famous as the Biarritz lighthouse with its 248 steps.

Later, Art Nouveau also found its place in the architectural fabric of Biarritz: Casino Bellevue and Villa Cyrano are two wonderful examples.

The disruptive villas “Marrakech” and “Casablanca,” built in 1922 by Guillaume Tronchet, enchant with