The town of Biarritz sits on the south-western coast of France, on the Bay of Biscay.
Biarritz has attracted quite a varied crowd to itself over the centuries, including Vikings, royalty, business executives, surfers, and even chocolate enthusiasts.
Below are five things you probably did not know about this resort area and things to do in Biarritz.
1.
The town was invaded in 840 by Vikings, who later used the area as a staging point for whaling.
The whaling industry brought prosperity, though this declined when the whales left the bay.
Speaking of whales, Biarritz' Municipal Casino on the Grande Plage attracts gamblers fond of slot machines and table games.
2.
Empress Eugenie, married to Napoleon III, made this beach city popular with the royal and well-heeled crowd when she built a palace here in 1854.
British and Spanish nobility also vacationed here and Queen Victoria was a regular visitor for 30 years.
Eugenie's palace is now the Hotel du Palais, so guests can truthfully mention to friends that they stayed "at the empress' place" while exploring all the things to do in Biarritz.
3.
The town has positioned itself with a unique blend of business and beach by constructing several conference centers and an exhibit hall to attract executives with the promise of work and play.
Plentiful hotels are located near the conference centers, some with spas for health and relaxation.
The waters were thought to have healing powers, with physicians recommending trips to Biarritz in the 18th century.
A simple stroll on the beach can be relaxing, too for post-modern executives, and Biarritz has miles of beaches.
One of the largest of the town's six beaches is La Grande Plage, near the Hotel du Palais.
Beyond those beaches, a different type of business takes place.
4.
Biarritz is known as Europe's surfing capital and its Cote des Basques is billed as the "birthplace of sufing.
" Biarritz hosts competitions and schools.
The annual Biarritz Surf Festival is a key event for on Europe's surfing schedule.
The town also hosts the Roxy Jam Women's World Longboard Championships.
Biarritz even has a museum devoted to surfing, designed to look like what else? Waves.
5.
Chocolate.
Museum.
Those two words usually do not go together, but they do in Biarritz.
The Chocolate Museum's exhibits tell the history of this addictive confection.
Other exhibits feature chocolate sculptures, antique chocolate serving and manufacturing tools, and vintage advertising.
Yes, the museum does include tastings.
From something to eat to something that might eat you, check out the Museum of the Sea, another one of the many things to do in Biarritz.
This museum features 24 aquariums that include sharks and seals.
Feeding times are at 10:30 and 5:00.
Two art museums also bear mention, the Asiatica Museum, with its collection from India, Tibet, Nepal, and China; and the Guggenheim in nearby Bilbao, Spain.
The building itself is a work of art.
Whether you are a Viking, a peer of the realm, king of the boardroom, lord of the surfboard, or just a common beach bum with a sweet tooth and an eye for art, Biarritz is the place to visit.
Biarritz has attracted quite a varied crowd to itself over the centuries, including Vikings, royalty, business executives, surfers, and even chocolate enthusiasts.
Below are five things you probably did not know about this resort area and things to do in Biarritz.
1.
The town was invaded in 840 by Vikings, who later used the area as a staging point for whaling.
The whaling industry brought prosperity, though this declined when the whales left the bay.
Speaking of whales, Biarritz' Municipal Casino on the Grande Plage attracts gamblers fond of slot machines and table games.
2.
Empress Eugenie, married to Napoleon III, made this beach city popular with the royal and well-heeled crowd when she built a palace here in 1854.
British and Spanish nobility also vacationed here and Queen Victoria was a regular visitor for 30 years.
Eugenie's palace is now the Hotel du Palais, so guests can truthfully mention to friends that they stayed "at the empress' place" while exploring all the things to do in Biarritz.
3.
The town has positioned itself with a unique blend of business and beach by constructing several conference centers and an exhibit hall to attract executives with the promise of work and play.
Plentiful hotels are located near the conference centers, some with spas for health and relaxation.
The waters were thought to have healing powers, with physicians recommending trips to Biarritz in the 18th century.
A simple stroll on the beach can be relaxing, too for post-modern executives, and Biarritz has miles of beaches.
One of the largest of the town's six beaches is La Grande Plage, near the Hotel du Palais.
Beyond those beaches, a different type of business takes place.
4.
Biarritz is known as Europe's surfing capital and its Cote des Basques is billed as the "birthplace of sufing.
" Biarritz hosts competitions and schools.
The annual Biarritz Surf Festival is a key event for on Europe's surfing schedule.
The town also hosts the Roxy Jam Women's World Longboard Championships.
Biarritz even has a museum devoted to surfing, designed to look like what else? Waves.
5.
Chocolate.
Museum.
Those two words usually do not go together, but they do in Biarritz.
The Chocolate Museum's exhibits tell the history of this addictive confection.
Other exhibits feature chocolate sculptures, antique chocolate serving and manufacturing tools, and vintage advertising.
Yes, the museum does include tastings.
From something to eat to something that might eat you, check out the Museum of the Sea, another one of the many things to do in Biarritz.
This museum features 24 aquariums that include sharks and seals.
Feeding times are at 10:30 and 5:00.
Two art museums also bear mention, the Asiatica Museum, with its collection from India, Tibet, Nepal, and China; and the Guggenheim in nearby Bilbao, Spain.
The building itself is a work of art.
Whether you are a Viking, a peer of the realm, king of the boardroom, lord of the surfboard, or just a common beach bum with a sweet tooth and an eye for art, Biarritz is the place to visit.
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