Old fishermen's port

The fishermen's port, in Biarritz

The fishermen's port is a charming little port in the heart of Biarritz, lined with typical white and red houses called crampottes. The Biarritz audio-guided tour stops here to evoke this true village in the city, with its old-fashioned charm and its convivial atmosphere, that even proclaimed itself a 'free commune' in 1961, and where you taste the Basque specialities facing the ocean.

The village of the crampottes

Here you have arrived at the old fishermen's port. See these pretty typical houses, white and red: they are called crampottes. They belong to the city of Biarritz, that rents them to the inhabitants having a boat moored in the port, and contribute greatly to the old-fashioned charm of the place. Originally, these little buildings served as shelters for the fishermen to store their material and prepare their catches. It is an ideal place to enjoy a more authentic and resolutely convivial atmosphere, while tasting some specialities in the little restaurants installed at the edge of the water, sheltered by the rocks. The fishermen's port even proclaimed itself a free commune on the 7th of June 1961, with a certain Jeannot for mayor for life: no wonder it has such a marked personality and stands as a true village in the city. Far from the animation of the centre, you breathe there the sea air while strolling on the dyke, watching the colourful boats sway on the water and the fishermen busy themselves. The place also offers a fine perspective over the cliffs, the Rock of the Virgin and the ocean. With its narrow alleys, its staircases and its timeless atmosphere, the fishermen's port embodies the maritime and popular soul of Biarritz, witness of its past as a fishing city. A picturesque port and a village in the city, the fishermen's port is a fine stop of the discovery of Biarritz.

What to see

Here you discover a charming little port in the heart of Biarritz, lined with crampottes, these typical white and red houses rented to the inhabitants having a boat; a true village in the city, proclaimed a 'free commune' in 1961, it charms by its old-fashioned charm, its little restaurants at the edge of the water and its fine view over the cliffs and the Rock of the Virgin. The fishermen's port is the maritime soul of Biarritz. It is a fine stop, to be explored on foot.

Practical information

The fishermen's port nestles at the foot of the cliffs, in the heart of Biarritz, between the Grande Plage and the Rock of the Virgin, reachable on foot by staircases and alleys. It is a site freely accessible, animated by little restaurants whose hours vary. You discover it during a walk by the sea.

What are the crampottes of the fishermen's port of Biarritz?

They are the pretty typical white and red houses that line the port, originally fishermen's shelters to store the material and prepare the catches; they belong to the city, that rents them to the inhabitants having a moored boat, and make all the old-fashioned charm of the place, a true village in the city proclaimed a 'free commune' in 1961.

Where is the fishermen's port in Biarritz?

At the foot of the cliffs, in the heart of Biarritz, between the Grande Plage and the Rock of the Virgin, in France.