Cité de l'Océan et du Surf, Ocean and surf museum in Biarritz, France.
The Cité de l'Océan et du Surf is a museum located near Biarritz's waterfront dedicated to ocean science and surfing. The building has curved shapes and large glass walls designed to echo wave forms and fill interior spaces with natural light.
The facility opened in 2011 as an ambitious project to preserve the region's maritime traditions and surf culture. It was created from the city's desire to showcase the connection between ocean science and local water sports heritage.
The museum shows how the Basque people have lived alongside the ocean for generations through displays of traditional fishing and early surfing practices. You can see how water sports became part of the region's identity over time.
The museum sits right on the coast and is fully accessible for people with mobility limitations, with elevators and wide corridors for easy movement. The interactive displays appeal to visitors of different ages, and quiet rest areas are available if you need a break.
The museum offers a virtual reality experience where visitors see the Basque Coast from a bird's-eye view that reveals details invisible from ground level. This perspective shows the rugged coastline and its features in a way that feels almost like flying overhead.
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