He arrived in Biarritz at the age of two and became one of its most recognised faces in the world. Rugby legend, sporting director, entrepreneur and now mayor: Serge Blanco has never stopped playing for his city.
Some destinies seem written in advance. Serge Blanco was born in Caracas in 1958, but it was in Biarritz that he grew up, learned rugby at Jeanne d’Arc and joined Biarritz Olympique — the only club of his entire career. A pupil at Jules-Ferry and then at the Immaculée-Conception, he was first a kid from the neighbourhood before becoming a national legend.
Wearing the red and white of the BO, he spent seventeen seasons. With the French national team, he accumulated 93 caps, 18 spells as captain and 38 tries — a long-standing record. His try in the 85th minute against Australia, in the semi-final of the very first World Cup in 1987, remains one of the most powerful images in French rugby. Two Grand Slams (1981, 1987), World Cup runner-up.
After hanging up his boots, Blanco stayed in the game. President of the BO twice over, founding president of the National Rugby League (1998–2008), vice-president of the FFR: for two decades he helped shape French professional rugby. Alongside this, he ventured into business — thalassotherapy, hospitality, clothing — with mixed results.
Then came the turning point of March 2026. Standing under the banner « Mon équipe, c’est Biarritz », he won the mayoralty with 41.92% of the vote in the second round. First campaign, first term. At 67, Serge Blanco is embarking on his third career — as the elected representative of Biarritz, for Biarritz.
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