There is a Biarritz that tourists don’t see. Not because it’s hidden, but because it sits right next to the postcard Biarritz, three minutes’ walk from the Casino — and yet in another world.
The Port-Vieux
The Port-Vieux is Biarritz locals’ family beach. No extended summer lifeguard service, no hired deckchairs, no noisy beach bars. A cove sheltered from northerly winds by the Rocher de la Vierge, with calm waters ideal for children.
The neighbourhood
Around the Port-Vieux, the neighbourhood runs at a different tempo to the town centre. Small taverns, craftsmen’s workshops, local galleries. Long-standing Biarritz residents cross paths here with surfers returning from the Côte des Basques.
The view
The viewpoint overlooking the Port-Vieux offers one of Biarritz’s finest vistas: the Rocher de la Vierge to the north, the outline of the beaches to the south, the ocean in the foreground. At sunset, it becomes the meeting point for locals.