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.
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