The Basque Coast

The Côte des Basques, in Biarritz

The Côte des Basques is a renowned panoramic road of Biarritz, that offers an unobstructed view over the ocean, the Spanish coast and the mountains. The Biarritz audio-guided tour stops here to evoke this exceptional belvedere and its cult beach, cradle of surfing in Europe, elected among the most beautiful beaches of France and the scene of great competitions.

The belvedere and the cult beach of surfing

Sorry to have made you climb the rue de Dalbarade like that, but admit that the view that opens in front of you was worth it; it is promised, now you will have only descent. Here we are on the perspective of the Côte des Basques. This panoramic road, renowned for its unobstructed view over the ocean, offers an exceptional setting, with the Spanish coast and the mountains on the horizon. You can reach the beach of the same name, below, and admire the feats of the surfers. This cult beach, considered as one of the cradles of surfing in Europe, where the discipline made its French debut in the 1950s, was elected third most beautiful beach of France in 2019 by a famous travel site. Thanks to its exceptional waves, it hosts important competitions of surf and longboard, that attract enthusiasts from all over the world. At low tide, the beach stretches over a vast expanse of golden sand, while at high tide, the ocean comes to lick the foot of the cliff. Do not hesitate, during your stay, to go down there to enjoy the spectacle of the waves and the relaxed atmosphere so typical of Biarritz. For now, take the access that goes down towards the seaside: we will then follow the boulevard du Prince-de-Galles, as close as possible to the ocean. A panoramic road and a surf beach, the Côte des Basques is a fine stop of the discovery of Biarritz.

What to see

Here you enjoy a panoramic road offering an unobstructed view over the ocean, the Spanish coast and the mountains, and its cult beach below, one of the cradles of surfing in Europe; elected among the most beautiful beaches of France in 2019, it hosts great competitions of surf and longboard thanks to its exceptional waves. The Côte des Basques is an emblematic belvedere of Biarritz. It is a fine stop, to be explored on foot.

Practical information

The Côte des Basques lies south of the centre of Biarritz, reachable on foot by the rue de Dalbarade; the beach below is reached by laid-out accesses. It is a site freely accessible, particularly beautiful at sunset; beware of the tides, the beach being greatly reduced at high tide. You discover it during a walk by the sea.

Why is the Côte des Basques of Biarritz famous?

For its panoramic road with the unobstructed view over the ocean, the Spanish coast and the mountains, and for its cult beach, one of the cradles of surfing in Europe, where the discipline made its French debut in the 1950s; elected among the most beautiful beaches of France in 2019, it hosts great competitions of surf and longboard thanks to its exceptional waves.

Where is the Côte des Basques in Biarritz?

South of the centre of Biarritz, in France.