🌴🌊 Biarritz, Anglet & Bidart: The French Basque Beach Life We’re Obsessed With ✨

Think Paris on a beach minus the crowds but more beaches. If you're craving that perfect mix of slow surfy mornings, fresh oysters, cliffside picnics, and dreamy sunsets, forget Nice, forget Cannes. Biarritz, Anglet & Bidart are where the real magic is — a perfect cocktail of beach-town soul, Basque cool, and barefoot luxury. This is a region that is tucked away in the south-west corner of France but uniquely Basque culture and vibes.

Whether you’re on a surfboard, in a wine bar, or barefoot on a hidden beach, these towns are buzzing with a kind of French coastal freedom you’ll want to bottle and take home 🏄♀️🍷🌞

🏄♂️ Morning: Surf Checks & Buttery Starts in Biarritz & Anglet

Start your day at Côte des Basques in Biarritz for the classic surf scene — soft, glassy waves, golden cliffs, and longboard heaven and stunning views on low tide or if surfing is not your thing go for a nice walk towards The Grand Plage.

Best pre-surf flat whites are at locally roasted coffee at Volt (Anglet) or Malais (Biarritz). For a no-nonsense French boulangerie vibe, Boulangerie Lucas in Bidart has insane pastries — the almond croissant is a religion.

🛍️ Midday: Market Wanders, Cliff Walks, and Oceanfront Bites

Les Halles de Biarritz is still the queen of food markets — for 15 Euros you can grab a plate of oysters and a glass of white, then head to Bidart’s Monday market if you want fewer crowds and more “tía in espadrilles buying local cheese” energy.

For a real locals' lunch:

• Eden Rock Cafe: hidden into the cliffs of Port Vieux with ocean-view terrace, chilled rosé, tapas, very je ne sais quoi
• La Plancha in Ilbarritz: tucked right on the sand — order the mussels, stay for the beach chairs
• Lieu Anglet: for fancy French seafood with a view and rooftop terrace

🚶♀️ Local tip: Walk the Sentier du Littoral from Biarritz to Bidart — a wildflower-lined cliff path with panoramic Atlantic views. It’s the kind of walk that fixes your whole life.

👙 Afternoon: Hidden Swims + Slow Life in Bidart & Anglet

🏖️ By 3pm, the beaches are warm and buzzing — but skip the touristy Grande Plage.

Here’s where the locals actually swim:

• Plage d’Ilbarritz (Bidart) – Moody cliffs, soft sand, and a beachside chiringuito for post-swim rosé
• Chambre d’Amour (Anglet) – Yes that’s right, this beach is called room of love, very French
• Plage du Port Vieux (Biarritz) – Small, protected cove perfect for floating and people-watching

🎒 Want a real secret? Ask a local for the path to Plage d'Erretegia in Bidart — it’s unmarked, hidden behind tall grass, and 100% magic.

🍽️ Sunset: Rosé Rituals & Sea-Sprayed Dining

✨ When the sun starts dropping, and the entire Basque coast glows gold so why not sip a beautiful pink rose?

🌅 Best places to catch the sunset with a drink in hand:

• Etxola Bibi (Biarritz) – Cliffside, beatsy, and barefoot
• Blue Cargo (Bidart) – The ultimate beach club-meets-sunset bar. DJs, mojitos, linen shirts everywhere
• The Beach house (Anglet) – A more chilled local favorite just behind the water with incredible food
• If you have own transport head to Chez Nadine further south, tucked away and hidden from tourists very Café Del Mar vibes minus the poshiness

Top tips:

🗓️ Best time to go, June or September, less people, more fun

🚲 Rent a bike to cruise between Biarritz and Anglet the whole region is 2 wheels friendly

🧘♀️ Morning yoga at Plage de la Milady (Biarritz) — locals stretch here before a sea dip.

🧺 Cliffside picnic at the Bidart chapel – Bring local cheese, baguette, and Irouléguy wine. Sit and watch the world slow down.

💬 Learn a bit of Basque! Locals love when you say “Egunon” (Hello) & “Eskerrik asko” (thank you).

Local treats are Gateau Basque, but go for the real cherry Gateau Basque for a nice flavour punch.

💌 Final Word

This slice of Southwest France is not just a place to visit — it’s a place to live well, eat better, and move slower. Whether you’re surfing sunrise waves in Anglet, sipping sunset cocktails in Bidart, or wandering Biarritz’s backstreets with a baguette and no plans... you’re living the Basque dream. 🧡

So go — fall in love with these three towns like a local. Just don’t tell too many people, okay? 😏🌊🇫🇷

 Don’t Forget Your Keeko Toothbrush (DFYKT) and maybe our Dream Clean toothpaste too!

 Quick history:

The French Basque Country (Pays Basque) is a culturally distinct region in the far southwest of France, bordering Spain and the Atlantic Ocean. It includes beautiful towns like Biarritz, Bayonne, Saint-Jean-de-Luz, Espelette, Anglet, and Bidart.

The region is known for:

• Its unique Basque language (Euskara)
• Rich traditions (like Basque pelota, dance, and strongman contests)
• Wild coastlines, surfing, and chili🌶️

The Basques are one of Europe’s oldest peoples, with a language unrelated to any other on Earth (nope, not even French or Spanish!).

• They were here before the Romans, before the Franks, before the idea of “France” even existed.
• DNA studies suggest Basques may descend from prehistoric hunter-gatherers in the region.

In the 1600s, the French crown (under Louis XIII and XIV) consolidated control over Basque territories.

Pays Basque officially became part of France, but with some local autonomy.

The Basques weren’t always thrilled about it. French kings wanted centralization — the Basques wanted to keep their own laws, language, and customs.

Modern Era: Revival & Tourism Boom

• In the 20th century, Biarritz became a glamorous beach resort (Napoleon III built a palace there).
• Surfing culture hit the coast in the 1950s (hello, Anglet 🌊).
• The 1980s–2000s saw a strong Basque cultural revival — schools started teaching Euskara again, festivals returned, and Basque pride re-emerged.