FESTIVALS, HOLIDAYS AND OTHER ANNUAL EVENTS IN Biarritz

There are a number of festivals, holidays and other events celebrated in Biarritz each year. The main ones are listed below.

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!

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.

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!

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.

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!

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.

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.

CLIMATE AND WEATHER IN Biarritz

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

Biarritz Pays Basque Airport is located about 4 kilometres (2.5 miles) south-east of the city centre.

• One terminal for both international and domestic flights

• By car
  • Accessible via the D810 road. Travel time is 5 minutes from central Biarritz, and 30 minutes :
  • There are four parking facilities, all offering free parking for the first 15 minutes:
    • P3 (pick-up and drop-off), EUR 3.00 EUR for 1 hour, EUR 4.00 for 1 to 2 hours.
    • P0 (short stay), about EUR 20.00 for 1 day
    • P8 (long and short stay), about EUR 19.00 for 1 day
    • P2 (economy, long stay), EUR 18.00 for 1 day
  • Several car rental companies have counters in the arrivals hall.
• By bus
  • Chronoplus line C connects the airport with the city centre of Biarritz and the train station (line 10 connects Biarritz La Négresse train station with the beach at Anglet). A ticket valid on all public transport costs EUR 1.00 for 1 hour and EUR 2.00 for 24 hours.
  • Chronoplus line 14 connects the airport with the Bayonne train station/city centre. A ticket valid on all public transport costs EUR 1 for 1 hour and EUR 2 for 24 hours.
• By taxi
  • Taxis are available at the ranks just outside the airport.
• Shuttle: 
  • Shuttles ATCRB n° 876: Hendaye / Saint-Jean de Luz airport.

• Services: shops, bars and restaurants and free Internet access (Wi-Fi) available in the airport.
• Telephone: +33 (0)5 59 43 83 83
• Website: http://www.biarritz.aeroport.fr

GETTING AROUND Biarritz

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!

By car and motorcycle

Cars and motorcycles are ideal for getting around Biarritz. The city has seven municipal parking lots.

By bus

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:

• City Centre shuttle
  •  Monday to Saturday
  • Shuttles run every 10 minutes from 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
• Saint-Charles/Milady shuttle  (connects the city centre with the beaches from July 13 to August 30)
  • Monday to Saturday
  • Shuttles run every 25 minutes from 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.

By bicycle

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!

On foot

As Biarritz does not cover a very large area, it is also delightful to discover on foot.

Visitor information

Upon your arrival in Biarritz, you can get in touch with local tourism professionals for further information and to help organise your stay.

Offers practical information and useful recommendations (accommodation, restaurants, public transport, festivals, cultural events, etc.).

• Address: Villa Javalquinto Square d'Ixelles 64200 Biarritz
• Telephone: +33 (0)5 59 22 37 00
• Website: http://tourisme.biarritz.fr

Medical information

There are no vaccination requirements for visitors to France.

For more information, contact Air France's international vaccination centre:

• Address : 38 Quai de Jemmapes 75010 Paris
• Website : (http://www.vaccinations-airfrance.fr)
• Telephone : +33 (0)1 43 17 22 00
• To make a vaccination appointment: :
  • online (click here)
  • call the centre at +33 (0)1 43 17 22 00

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.

Tap water is safe to drink in Biarritz.

Administrative formalities

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:

• Citizens of the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA) or the Swiss Confederation
• Citizens or nationals of certain foreign countries.
  For stays of more than 90 days, a long-stay visa is required.

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/

Useful addresses

To enjoy peace of mind during your stay in Biarritz, visit the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of your country.

Essential phrases

Good to know

00 33

+ phone number without the 0

-1 : 00
of time difference with
Sofia

Start of daylight saving time: last Sunday in March
End of daylight saving time: last Sunday in October

BANKS

Usually open Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

GOVERNMENT OFFICES

Usually open Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. to 5 p.m.

230 V / 50 Hz

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.