Côte des Basques, Biarritz, Surfing beach on the Atlantic coast in Biarritz, France.
Côte des Basques stretches for roughly a kilometer along limestone cliffs with fine sand and offers views toward Spanish mountains across the water. The shoreline displays various zones, from shallow areas to rocks that become visible at low tide.
The beach marked the arrival of surfing to France in the mid-1950s, becoming the place where this water sport was first practiced by Europeans. This made the location the birthplace of a new sport culture on the continent.
The beach takes its name from the Basque people who shape the region's identity, and it serves as a gathering place for locals and travelers alike. The connection between the community and the sea runs deep in daily life here.
Lifeguards are on duty from May through September and inform visitors about water conditions and safety measures. Keep in mind that the beach changes appearance with tides, creating different conditions for swimmers and surfers throughout the day.
The beach has undergone dramatic changes in its shape over the decades due to coastal erosion and various construction projects. Today, the visible rocks and shoreline bear traces of these transformations that have shaped the location.
Location: Biarritz
GPS coordinates: 43.47490,-1.56856
Latest update: December 6, 2025 19:03
The French coastline stretches over more than 3,100 miles and features a notable variety of beaches. From Brittany's granite coasts to Mediterranean coves, including wide Atlantic stretches and Corsican bays with clear waters, each coastal area has its own character. This selection takes you away from crowded seaside resorts to beaches that have maintained their natural state. You will find the wild Piémanson beach in Camargue, accessible only via a dirt road and visited by pink flamingos, the discreet Nonnes beach on the Gironde estuary with its caves carved into the cliffs, or Notre-Dame beach on Porquerolles, considered one of the top spots in the Mediterranean. In Corsica, Saleccia requires an hour of walking or a boat trip to reach, while the Côte des Basques in Biarritz has attracted surfers since the 1950s. Some beaches demand effort to access, others are protected as nature reserves, but all offer a different experience from mass tourism.
The coastal path of Biarritz connects the Virgin Rock, Art Deco Casino, lighthouse and imperial palace. The beaches of Grande Plage, Port Vieux, and Côte des Basques provide ocean views. The architecture includes Villa Belza, Sainte-Eugénie Church, and the Orthodox Church. The city center contains a covered market, museums, and a former railway station.
Rocher de la vierge
1 km
Aquarium de Biarritz
945 m
Villa Belza
753 m
Église Sainte-Eugénie de Biarritz
934 m
Le Musée de la mer
940 m
Biarritz Market Hall
853 m
Château Boulard
773 m
Musée Asiatica
1.1 km
Église Saint-Martin
1 km
Villa Natacha
841 m
Église Saint-Joseph de Biarritz
884 m
Le Port des Pêcheurs
983 m
Hôtel Plaza
1.2 km
Pâtisserie Miremont
1 km
Plage du port Vieux, Biarritz
847 m
Le Petit Train de Biarritz
1.2 km
Scenic viewpoint
1 km
Marbella Beach
881 m
Rocher du Basta
1.1 km
Vue sur le port de Biarritz
905 m
Scenic viewpoint
903 m
Monument aux morts de Biarritz
961 m
Ancienne église anglicane Saint-Andrew de Biarritz
893 m
Scenic viewpoint
1.1 km
Scenic viewpoint
959 m
Temple de l'église protestante unie de France de Biarritz
652 m
Couvent des Dominicains de Biarritz
856 m
Gare du Midi
998 mVisited this place? Tap the stars to rate it and share your experience / photos with the community! Try now! You can cancel it anytime.
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