Heritage sites in Biarritz

Biarritz’s architectural landscape reflects its transformation from a whaling village to a prestigious 19th-century imperial resort. This collection highlights landmarks from the Second Empire, including the Chapelle Impériale and the Hôtel du Palais, originally built for Empress Eugénie. The list also features Art Deco structures like the Casino Barrière and the Biarritz Aquarium, alongside religious sites such as the 12th-century Église Saint-Martin and the ornate 19th-century Russian Orthodox Church. Coastal heritage is anchored by the 1834 lighthouse on Pointe Saint-Martin.

Heritage Sites in Biarritz — Map

Peccadille / CC BY-SA 4.0

A

Chapelle Impériale

Built between 1864 and 1866 for Empress Eugénie and Napoleon III, this chapel combines Romanesque-Byzantine and Hispano-Moorish architectural styles. It was dedicated to Our Lady of Guadalupe.

Sygic Travel User / CC-BY-SA

B

Phare de la Pointe Saint-Martin

Completed in 1834, this 73-meter-high lighthouse marks the boundary between the sandy Landes coast and the rocky Basque Country. It features 248 steps leading to a gallery with panoramic Atlantic views.

Harrieta171 / CC BY 2.5

C

Hôtel du Palais

The Hôtel du Palais Biarritz is a historic luxury hotel beside the Atlantic beach in the resort town of Biarritz, on the Côte Basque in the…

Remi.touja / CC BY-SA 4.0

D

Château Boulard

A private 19th-century mansion situated 63 meters above sea level, known for its eclectic architecture and commanding position overlooking the city.

Sygic Travel User / CC-BY-SA

E

Pâtisserie Miremont

Established in 1872, this historic tea room features an ornate 19th-century interior. It was a renowned gathering place for European royalty, including King Alphonse XIII and Queen Victoria.

F

Casino Barrière de Biarritz

An Art Deco landmark designed by architect Alfred Laulhé and opened in 1929. Located on the Grande Plage, the building is a primary example of the city's interwar architecture.

G

Église Saint-Martin

The oldest church in Biarritz, dating back to the 12th century and restored in the 16th century. It features a traditional Basque cemetery and historically served as the municipal meeting place.

H

Hôtel Plaza

A luxury hotel on Avenue Édouard-VII reflecting the city's early 20th-century architectural heritage and its status as a premier destination for high society.

I

Aux Morts pour la France (1914-1918 1939-1945)

A memorial dedicated to Biarritz citizens who died during the First and Second World Wars, serving as the city's central site for commemorative ceremonies.

O. Morand / CC BY-SA 3.0

J

Église orthodoxe russe

Built in 1892 for the Russian nobility who summered in Biarritz, this Byzantine-style church features a striking blue dome and houses historic icons brought from Saint Petersburg.

Jamin / CC-BY-SA-3.0

K

Biarritz Aquarium

Biarritz Aquarium, also known as le Musée de la Mer, is an aquarium in Biarritz. The building, in art deco style, was opened in 1933.

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