After gaining popularity as the seaside resort town favored by French royalty, the village of Biarritz grew increasingly cosmopolitan, attracting international jet setters and gaining a reputation as "the queen of beaches and beach of kings."

Biarritz lies along the Basque coast, adjacent to Spain's Basque region, the influences of which are apparent in Biarritz's architecture and cuisine. A stretch of 5 beaches, each with a distinct history and flavor, comprise Biarritz, including the Cote de Basques Beach, the first European surfing hot spot discovered when American filmmaker Peter Viertel brought a longboard from California and surfed the crashing waves, astonishing locals. Today the beach is home to the internationally renowned Biarritz Surf Festival, which draws more than 150,000 fans to the region.

Among the local attractions is the old whaling port, which is reminiscent of an era when whaling was Biarritz's primary means of commerce, and nearby Port des Pecheurs, a small fishing port. For shopaholics with euros burning a hole in their pockets, the Place Clémenceau is packed with boutiques catering to the finest styles and tastes. Night owls can play the tables at the City Casino, or shake their groove things at one of the city's funky discotheques.