Stay
Keep it Green: Villa Magnan
Tucked into the Basque countryside, Villa Magnan marries rustic charm with iconic design. Anne and Jerome Israel have breathed new life into this 1930s art-deco chateau, transforming it into a bohemian paradise complete with a celebrated dining pop-up, ‘De Puta Madre.’ Creatives and foodies flock here for the chef residencies, brand moments and seasonal wellness pop-ups by the likes of @alicepilate. With Instagram DMs as their front desk and Hector the donkey on greeting duty, Villa Magnan is as quirky as it is elegant.
The City Dance: Hotel De Silhouette
“Several indulgent details come to mind…” when Cousi Iteriorismo’s Alicia Martin and designer Juliette Saier sought about reviving a 17th-century villa tucked behind Biarritz’s iconic Quartier des Halles. The twenty-one-room boutique hotel, inspired by Casa Lopez’s joie de vivre, provides respite from the beachside bustle. Enjoy curated literature in the lounge or tune at their Jazz Nights in the Car Park. For a complete experience, book a garden reservation, order their signature Deljoy Cocktail, and find your dancing partner.
At the Icon: Hotel Du Palais
Dominating La Grande Plage, the Hotel Du Palais was once the summer retreat of Napoleon III and Empress Eugénie. This grand dame, recently refurbished, has hosted legends from Frank Sinatra to Coco Chanel. Sip cocktails at Le Sunset Bar during golden hour or indulge in a Rituel Body Lift Massage at the ocean-facing Guerlain Spa. This is timeless luxury at its finest.
View & Do
La Boutique de Createurs: Gaztelur
Step into a 15th-century chateau curated by Olivier Granet-Sottis and find yourself surrounded by Siglo XIX wine flutes, crystal bud vases and fresh flowers that place you right into a Fitzgerald storybook. Perfect for finding a hostess gift or daydreaming about your future Biarritz summer house. While you’re there, enjoy lunch at ‘Collectif Culinaria’ before the season ends on September 1st.
P.S. You can take a peek at their world of wonders during their pop up on this summer at 10 Avenue Louis Barthou in downtown Biarritz
The Contemporary Art Space: Champ Lacombe
Hidden in downtown Biarritz, gallerist Lucy Chadwick brings a fresh voice to the local contemporary art scene. With stints in NYC and London, Chadwick’s shows blend local and international art, creating a vibrant cultural hub. Keep in touch for her latest shows via Instagram and explore JAFA Part 1: LOML.
Your Beauty Fix: Le Corner de Sophie
For a touch of French-girl flare, visit Le Corner de Sophie. This decade-old beauty haven features newfound cult-favorite brands across haircare, nails, and makeup. Indulge in new-age treatments like AHACA or KOBIDO LIFT facials at their adjacent spa, or get a blowout at the Kevin Murphy salon.
The Beach Body (and mind): Calma Studio
For those seeking an alternative to surfing, Calma Studio offers ‘conscious movement’ classes with Monika. With over 25 years of experience, Monika blends Brazilian and French techniques in her reformer and mat Pilates classes. With a strong breathwork focus, this studio provides a serene escape from the waves. For those pre-and post-natal, be sure to explore her expert offering.
Wine & Dine
The Day Trip: Heteroclito
A trip to the Basque country isn’t complete without a coastal hike to the hidden surfing gem of Guethary. Enjoy a long lunch of fried sardines, fresh fish, and rosé. Then, take the local train back to Biarritz for a perfect half-day adventure.
A Classic: Restaurant Le Corsaire
Down at Port des Pêcheurs, Le Corsaire offers a nostalgic dining experience with fresh catch-of-the-day specials. Gather around the plastic tables, roll up your sleeves, and dive into the local seafood bounty.
After Hours: Bleach Cafe
Bleach Café captures Biarritz’s surf culture with eclectic residencies and DJ takeovers. Start your day with their famous banana bread and return for apero on the weekends. This café-canteen-wine bar embodies the laid-back spirit of Biarritz with a lively twist.
An Elevated Bistro: Cheri Bibi
In the boho-chic Bibi district, Cheri Bibi is the brainchild of Aussie financier-turned-chef Adrien and his partner Augustine. Their ‘bistronomic’ approach, honed in the kitchen under famed NOMA chef Matt Orlando, spotlights veg-focused dishes that aim to “break the code” of conventional dining formats. Come with a group to capture the full spectrum of hyper seasonal dishes from fermented geranium oysters to chilled almond gazpacho that beat the heat.
This surf town’s beating heart lies beneath the covered marketplace, where beloved fromageries and fishmongers have served the freshest Basque fare since 1885. From 7:30 to 14:00 daily, stallholders offer everything from oysters to charcuterie, and bar stools invite you to stay for the day’s cooked specials. On Saturdays, arrive early to catch the artisanal and vintage vendors who spill onto the surrounding streets — a perfect pre-beach ritual.
Twenty minutes south of the city, the Belle Époque facades give way to traditional Basque charm — red shutters, white stucco — and you enter the unassuming town of Saint-Jean-de-Luz, where Louis XIV once wed. Here, Iñaki Aizpitarte of Paris’s Le Chateaubriand has returned to his roots, opening Petit Grill Basque and ushering in a new wave of food tourism. Beneath wooden punkah fans, maritime delicacies like cod tripe meet French bistro classics, including a sharp steak tartare. A crowd-pleaser worth the detour.
In anticipation of…: Les Enfants du Marché, Biarritz
In the former Carøe space just north of Les Halles, Paris’s cult restauranteur Michael Grosman is setting the table for a Biarritz outpost of his beloved Les Enfants du Marché. A lively counter-service format channels Le Marais spirit: avant-garde, fish-forward small plates and natural wines made for post-surf evenings. Expect monkfish and sardine tempura, and end on a sweet note with their cult Savarin cheesecake — a subtle nod to the Basque classic.
84 Rooms recommends: How To Spend The Perfect Weekend In Marseille, and Where To Stay, Eat, And Play In Saint Tropez.