This story for National Geographic Traveller included a foodie guide to the town which you can read here: Local’s Guide to Biarritz
Besides the brilliant offerings for food-lovers, though, there are myriad ways to enjoy the sea, whether you want to take a dip in it or not.
Besides the seaside
If the town’s surf scene inspires your own foray into the waves, then take a surf lesson on the town’s glorious Grande Plage, which is overlooked by the splendid Hotel du Palais – once Napoleon III and Empress Eugenie’s summer pad. Beginners can try a lesson with Biarrtiz Surf Training (surftraining.com). But there’s many more ways to enjoy the sea in Biarritz than simply surfing. The French are great fans of thalassotherapy – spa treatments that harness the benefits of seawater to invigorate, tone and relax the body and mind. Check into the expansive spa at the Sofitel Biarritz le Miramarfor a proper pamper – it’s a heavenly place with superb views out to sea. The town’s aquarium, meanwhile, allows you to get up and close and personal with a fascinating array of colourful fish and sea-life in the surrounds of a beautiful art deco building. Gaze in awe at the graceful sharks in their tankand admire the antics of the sealions in their pool out the terrace. Further out of town, the brilliant Cité de Mer focuses on other aspects of marine exploration with a host of high-tech, 3-D and virtual reality experiences focussing on oceans around the world. After all that, try a simple walk around the coastline, from the lighthouse, via the Grande Plage and Port des Pêcheurs, and on to Le Rocher de la Vièrge – a rockformation topped with a Virgin Mary statue, on the site of a holy miracle. Finish with a sundowner at the Etxola Bibiterrace bar (Square Jean Baptiste Lassalle), overlooking the mighty waves of the Cote des Basques beach.