Biarritz is a high end seaside tourist destination, located on the Bay of Biscay, just north of the French-Spanish border.

The city's cote of arms depicts men hunting a whale, a reference to history. From the 12th through the 16th century whaling was the town's main industry until over-hunting drove the cetaceans out of the Bay of Biscay. For a while they followed the huge beasts all the way to Newfoundland and Spitsbergen but a century later Biarritz's whaling businesss was history.

From the 1780's onwards, bathing in the sea became popular as it was considered good for one's health.
Soon people came to town to take a salty dip, including Napoleon himself. In the 19th century Biarritz grew into a preferred hangout for royals and other rich and famous people. Hotels, a casino and a luxury department store were built and Empress Eugenie had her own palace constructed, what is now Hotel du Palais.

In 1957 surfing was introduced and now Biarritz is one of Europe's top surfing destinations.

In 2019 Biarritz hosted the 45th G7 top.

We strolled the town's beaches in May 2019.