There are a number of festivals, holidays and other events celebrated in Biarritz each year. The main ones are listed below.
January 1: New Year's Day (national holiday) May 1: Labour Day (national holiday)On the first of May, it is customary to offer a sprig of lily-of-the-valley to close ones. Many vendors occupy the pavement on that occasion!
June 21: Fête de la Musique (celebrated nationwide)Also celebrated internationally as World Music Day, for this festival many free concerts featuring all types of music are held in the streets and at various venues around Biarritz.
July 14: Bastille Day (national holiday)This holiday celebrates both the storming of the Bastille prison in 1789, the key event marking the beginning of the French Revolution, and the end of the privileges enjoyed by the clergy and the aristocracy. To commemorate the event, a spectacular fireworks display is set off from the Grande Plage, along the Atlantic Ocean. Fabulous!
August 15: Assumption Day (national holiday)This celebration, still very popular in Biarritz, is marked by the faithful with religious ceremonies and a procession through the streets. The fireworks display is held in the evening, set off from the Rocher du Basta and the Grande Plage.
3rd weekend in September: European Heritage Days (celebrated nationwide)The aim of the European Heritage Days is to open up numerous sites and monuments, many of which are normally closed to the public. A great opportunity for a lovely stroll through the city to admire architectural treasures!
November 7–15: Fêtes de la Saint-Martin (local event)In tribute to the city's patron saint, these festivities, always full of local colour and charm, draw thousands of visitors each year. Highlights include gastronomic competitions, sports tournaments and a special mass in honour of Saint Martin.
December 25: Christmas (national holiday)During the Christmas season, Biarritz is the backdrop for a magical two-week festival of lights. As night falls, visitors are treated to an enchanting spectacle of innovative and exceptional lighting installations created by celebrated artists, revealing the city's architectural treasures.
| Month | Min. Average Temperature (°C/F°) | Max. Average Temperature (°C/F°) | Average Rains (MM) | Best Time to Travel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 5/41 | 12/54 | 143/5.6 | Not the best period to go |
| February | 5/41 | 13/55 | 123/4.8 | Not the best period to go |
| March | 7/45 | 15/59 | 122/4.8 | Not the best period to go |
| April | 8/46 | 16/61 | 133/5.2 | Not the best period to go |
| May | 12/54 | 20/68 | 121/4.8 | Good period to go
|
| June | 15/59 | 22/72 | 91/3.6 | Good period to go
|
| July | 17/63 | 24/75 | 65/2.6 | Good period to go
|
| August | 17/63 | 25/77 | 102/4.0 | Good period to go
|
| September | 15/59 | 23/73 | 125/4.9 | Good period to go
|
| October | 12/54 | 20/68 | 136/5.4 | Not the best period to go |
| November | 8/46 | 15/59 | 174/6.9 | Not the best period to go |
| December | 6/43 | 12/54 | 149/5.9 | Not the best period to go |
Biarritz Pays Basque Airport is located about 4 kilometres (2.5 miles) south-east of the city centre.
Buses or rental cars are the best options for getting around the city. And to enjoy the scenic views along the Basque coast, you will want to rent a bicycle!
Cars and motorcycles are ideal for getting around Biarritz. The city has seven municipal parking lots.
The bus lines that operate throughout Biarritz are very convenient for tourists. From May to September, 2-hour guided bus tours of Biarritz, Anglet and Bayonne are offered.
In addition, several free shuttle services are offered in Biarritz:
Bicycles are also an excellent choice for exploring Biarritz. Several bike rental shops are dotted around the city. For those with a bit less stamina, it is even possible to rent electric bicycles!
As Biarritz does not cover a very large area, it is also delightful to discover on foot.
Upon your arrival in Biarritz, you can get in touch with local tourism professionals for further information and to help organise your stay.
Biarritz Tourist OfficeOffers practical information and useful recommendations (accommodation, restaurants, public transport, festivals, cultural events, etc.).
There are no vaccination requirements for visitors to France.
For more information, contact Air France's international vaccination centre:
There are no specific food safety risks. French government authorities promote good hygiene practices and put in place strengthened control procedures for sites especially frequented by tourists during the summer months.
WaterTap water is safe to drink in Biarritz.
As a general rule, a visa is required to enter France. Foreign nationals in the two categories listed below are not required to carry a visa for stays of 90 days or less:
Travellers from all other countries must be in possession of a visa, regardless of the length of their stay. Visa applications must be submitted to the nearest French Embassy or French Consulate in the country of permanent residence well in advance of departure. For further information, visit the website of the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs: http://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/en/coming-to-france/getting-a-visa/
To enjoy peace of mind during your stay in Biarritz, visit the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of your country.
Here are a few basic French phrases that will make your stay in Biarritz a little easier:
Hello / Good morning / Good afternoon: Bonjour
Good evening: Bonsoir
Good-bye: Au revoir
Yes: Oui
No: Non
No, thank you: Non, merci
Thank you very much: Merci beaucoup
I don't understand: Je ne comprends pas
Could you repeat that?: Pouvez-vous répéter ?
Please: S'il vous plaît
What time is it?: Quelle heure est-il ?
Excuse me: Excusez-moi
Airport: Aéroport
Train station: Gare
Taxi: Taxi
Hotel: Hôtel
Hospital: Hôpital
Bank: Banque
Telephone: Téléphone
I'm (…): Je suis (…)
I'm looking for (…): Je recherche (…)
How much is (…)?: Quel est le prix de (…) ?
Do you have (…)?: Avez-vous (…) ?
Where can I find (…)?: Où puis-je trouver (…) ?
Where can I buy (…)?: Où puis-je acheter (…) ?
I'd like (…): Je voudrais (…)
Tipping
In Biarritz like elsewhere in France, a service charge is always included in the bill. If you are particularly pleased with the service, you may certainly leave a few extra euros on the table. But this additional tip is neither expected nor necessary.
