Page 458 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - France

EXPERIENCE The Pyrénées Basta at Biarritz and (inset) a

Walkway to the rock of La-
surfer riding the waves

EXPERIENCE MORE

2 Europe, the Palais, which
was formerly the winter
Biarritz residence of Eugénie.
In the port des Pêcheurs,
! B6 ⌂ Pyrénées- the Aquarium de Biarritz is
Atlantiques k £ @ n Javal
quinto, square d’Ixelles; home to some of the marine
www.tourisme.biarritz.fr life of the Bay of Biscay. Below one of the few easily passable
it, there is a narrow cause way roads to Spain, it prospered as
Biarritz, west of Bayonne, has leading across to the Rocher a free port under English rule
a grandiose centre, but has de la Vierge, with far­reaching from 1154 to 1451. Since that
been developed along the views along the whole of the time it has successfully with­
coast by residential suburbs. Basque coast. The Musée stood 14 sieges, including a
The resort began as a whaling Asiatica is fine compensation particularly bloody one that
port but was transformed into for a rainy day. was directed by the Duke of
a playground for Europe’s elite Wellington in 1813.
in the 19th century. Its popu­ Aquarium de Biarritz Grand Bayonne, the district
larity was assured by Empress " -= ⌂ Esplanade around the cathedral, can be
Eugénie, who discovered its du Rocher-de-la- Vierge, easily explored on foot. The
mild winter climate during the 14 plateau de l’Atalaye 13th­century Cathédrale Ste-
1852–70 reign of her husband, # Hours vary, check website Marie, begun under English
Napoleon III. With some of the ∑ aquariumbiarritz.com rule, is in the northern Gothic
best surfing in Europe, the style. Look for the handsome
town has three good beaches, cloister and the 15th­century
two casinos and one of the 3 knocker on the north door – if
last great luxury hotels in a fugitive could put a hand to
Bayonne this, he was entitled to receive
sanctuary. The pedestrianized
! B6 ⌂ Pyrénées-
INSIDER TIP streets around form a lively
Surfing Biarritz Atlantiques £ @ n Pl shopping area, especially the
The whole south French des Basques; www. arcaded rue Port Neuf, with
bayonne-tourisme.com
Atlantic coast draws cafés serving hot chocolate,
surfers and in Biarritz, Bayonne, capital of the French a Bayonne speciality. Fine­
most catch the waves Basque country, lies between quality chocolate­making was
either on Grand Plage, two rivers: the turbulent Nive, introduced by the Jews who
the town’s main beach, which arrives straight from fled Spain at the end of the
or the Côte des Basques, the mountains, and the wide, 15th century, and the town
where the beach totally languid Adour. An important has been renowned for it ever
disappears at high tide. town since Roman times since. Immerse yourself in the
because of its command of chocolate­making process by
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