Virgin Rock

The Rock of the Virgin, in Biarritz

The Rock of the Virgin is the most emblematic image of Biarritz, a pierced rock surmounted by a statue of the Virgin, linked to the coast by a footbridge. The Biarritz audio-guided tour stops here, with respect, to evoke this site inseparable from the maritime and imperial past of the city, linked to a legend of fishermen saved from the storm and to the developments willed by Napoleon III.

The statue that watches over the ocean

Here you are finally facing this so emblematic image of Biarritz: the Rock of the Virgin, inseparable from the city, whose history is intimately linked to its maritime and imperial past. This pierced rock owes its name to the statue of the Virgin that surmounts it, to be discovered with respect. It is truly magnificent to see it, on stormy days, caught in the swell and the gaze turned towards the horizon, as if watching over the sailors. The legend tells that at the end of the nineteenth century, fishermen caught in the storm glimpsed a light on the rock, that allowed them to find their way and return safe and sound. In thanks, the survivors had erected, in fervour, a statue of the Virgin three metres high. Napoleon III, charmed by Biarritz, had for his part decided to have the rock pierced to lay out a refuge port and a dyke there, and to link it to the coast by a wooden footbridge. But this little bridge, battered by the rough sea, did not last long, and was replaced in 1887 by a metallic footbridge, that is sometimes attributed to the workshop of Gustave Eiffel. Today, the site offers an exceptional view over the ocean, the coast and the Basque mountains, especially at sunset. An emblematic site and a protective statue, the Rock of the Virgin is discovered with respect.

What to see

Here you discover, with respect, the most emblematic image of Biarritz, a pierced rock surmounted by a statue of the Virgin three metres high, erected in thanks by fishermen saved from the storm; linked to the coast by a metallic footbridge of 1887, it was laid out by order of Napoleon III and offers an exceptional view over the ocean and the mountains. The Rock of the Virgin is the symbol of Biarritz. It is a stop to be discovered with respect.

Practical information

The Rock of the Virgin lies at the foot of the Atalaye plateau, in the heart of Biarritz, linked to the coast by a footbridge, reachable on foot. It is a site freely accessible, to be discovered with respect; the footbridge may be closed in rough weather, for safety reasons. It is best to go there in calm sea and at sunset for the view.

Why does the Rock of the Virgin of Biarritz bear this name?

Because of the statue of the Virgin, three metres high, that surmounts it, erected with fervour in thanks by fishermen who, caught in the storm at the end of the nineteenth century, saw a light on the rock and were able to return safe and sound; the pierced rock was laid out by order of Napoleon III and linked to the coast by a footbridge of 1887, and is discovered with respect.

Where is the Rock of the Virgin in Biarritz?

At the foot of the Atalaye plateau, in the heart of Biarritz, linked to the coast by a footbridge, in France.