Housed in a wonderful art deco building near the old port, Biarritz' Musée de la Mer is seething with underwater life from the Bay of Biscay and beyond, including huge aquariums of sharks, playful grey seals and tropical reef fish, as well as exhibits exploring Biarritz' whaling past. In high season it's possible to have the place almost to yourself by visiting late at night.
Musée de la Mer
Biarritz
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Lonely Planet's must-see attractions
27.71 MILES
Though modern St-Jean has expanded considerably, during medieval times the entire town was enclosed by defensive ramparts guarding France's southwestern…
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Musée Basque et de l'Histoire de Bayonne
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Nearby Biarritz attractions
0.07 MILES
A good option for families due to its sheltered aspect, this tiny wedge of sand is just under the Musée de la Mer.
0.14 MILES
If the swell's big, you might get a drenching as you cross the toy-town-like footbridge (closed in high wind) at the end of Pointe Atalaye to Rocher de la…
0.18 MILES
The neo-Gothic Église Ste-Eugénie was built in 1864 for – who else? – Empress Eugénie, and sits on a prominent spot in the old port.
4. Plage de la Côte des Basques
0.47 MILES
A long, exposed beach popular with surfers and walkers, said to be one of the first where boardriders hit the waves around Biarritz.
0.51 MILES
Grand by name, grand by nature, Biarritz’ vast main beach has been the place at which to be seen since the days of Napoléon II and Eugénie. It's wall to…
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Dominating the northern end of the Grande Plage is the massive 19th-century Hôtel du Palais, built for Empress Eugénie and now a luxury hotel – complete…
0.67 MILES
Built in 1864 on the instructions of Empress Eugénie, this glitzy church mixes Byzantine and Moorish styles, and the plaza in front has a superb view of…
8. Église Orthodoxe de Biarritz
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This Russian Orthodox church dedicated to the Virgin Mary and Saint Alexandre Nevsky was built by and for the Russian aristocrats who frequented Biarritz…