Église Saint-Martin, Romanesque Catholic church in Biarritz, France

Église Saint-Martin is a Romanesque Catholic church in Biarritz, enlarged and reworked in 1541 according to the date carved on one of its pillars. Its pale facade rises to a central gable topped by a cross, with two arched bell openings, a round clock with Roman numerals, and a doorway framed by a small triangular pediment. Inside, tall pale stone columns carry vaults painted with red, green and gold geometric patterns, and three pointed-arch windows stand behind the altar.

The parish of Saint-Martin dates from the period of English rule in Biarritz, and the present church stands on the site of an earlier religious building that has disappeared and is undocumented. It is Romanesque in style and was enlarged and altered in 1541, the date carved on one of its pillars. It served as the town's parish church until 1894 and was restored and embellished from 1861; it has been listed as a monument historique since 1931.

Saint Martin is the patron saint of Biarritz, and the parish bearing his name dates back to the period of English rule. The church belongs to the Notre-Dame-du-Rocher parish, together with Sainte-Eugénie, Saint-Charles, Saint-Joseph, the Saint-Esprit du Braou chapel and Sainte-Thérèse, under the Bayonne diocese. Its choir stalls in wood date from the 18th century and have been listed as objects since 1973.

The church stands in the centre of Biarritz and is listed as a monument historique, so it can be visited as part of a walk through the town. It belongs to the Notre-Dame-du-Rocher parish, together with Sainte-Eugénie, Saint-Charles, Saint-Joseph, the Saint-Esprit du Braou chapel and Sainte-Thérèse. Look for the date 1541 carved on a pillar inside.

The church has been listed as a monument historique since 1931. Its 18th-century wooden choir stalls were classified as objects in 1973, a detail many visitors walk past without noticing.