Plage du Miramar, Biarritz, Sandy beach next to Hotel du Palais, Biarritz, France
Plage du Miramar is a sandy beach in Biarritz, France, immediately north of the Grande Plage and below the Hotel du Palais. The beach sits in a small cove at the foot of the hotel's grounds, with the Rocher de la Vierge and the rocky point of Atalaye at its northern end. The sand is fine and the water shallow near the shore.
The beach rose to prominence in 1854 when Napoleon III commissioned a villa that eventually became Hotel du Palais. This imperial gesture marked Biarritz's transformation into an upscale seaside resort.
The beach draws surfers and swimmers who share the water throughout the day. This mixed use creates a social rhythm where different groups of visitors naturally coexist and enjoy their own activities.
Lifeguards are present from May through October, with increased coverage during summer months. Check water conditions before entering and stay within designated swimming areas.
The beach sits at the foot of the Rocher du Basta, a rock pierced by a tunnel dug in 1865 under Napoleon III so bathers could pass between Miramar and the Port Vieux. The opening frames the Port Vieux cove and, beyond it, the Rocher de la Vierge.
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