Biarritz

Biarritz is a feast for the eyes, whether it’s on elegant seafront villas, wide sandy beaches or views out to the sparkling Atlantic. But the town also hoards visual treasure in its numerous museums and Imperial Chapel – and delights visitors with a festival of dance in September too.

The Asiatica museum on the edge of Biarritz is an unexpected treasure trove, housing a significant collection of Asian art, primarily from India, Nepal, Tibet and China. There are statues, monuments and temple artwork, with information cards (in several languages) clearly explaining the significance of the objects. The museum is generally considered as having the finest collection of its type outside Paris. For the best views of Biarritz’s coastline, you need to get up high– and there are two places well worth the climb. Cross the footbridge at the end of Pointe Atalaye to Rocher de la Vierge, named after its white statue of the Virgin and Child. According to legend, a ray of light from the Pointe once guided a stricken fishing boat safely to shore, prompting fishermen to erect a statue of the Virgin on the here in 1865. The bridge connecting the Pointe to the mainland is known as the Eiffel Bridge, built by Gustav Eiffel, who was also responsible for France’s most iconic tower.