The smart up-market town of Biarritz is one of the principle resorts on the Côte Basque. Its fame dates from the mid 19th century, when Empress Eugenie (wife of Napoleon III) travelled here and built a palace by the beach (now the famous Hotel du Palais) and a centre with natural springs at Eugenie les Bains in the Landes. Over a period of 30 years, many European royalty, including Queen Victoria, were invited to stay regularly as guests.

Today, as well as its beautiful buildings, Biarritz has much more to offer. As a vibrant, cosmopolitan town there are fine shops and restaurants, a casino, magnificent beaches, golf courses and other sporting facilities. Surfing started in France in Biarritz and surfers come from all over the world to ride the waves. There are also opportunities for wind surfing, kite surfing, hang-gliding, horse riding, mountain biking and hiking. For those who prefer to relax and be pampered, there are numerous thalassotherapy centres to choose room. For children, there is the aquarium and sea museum or rides on the little train up into the Basque mountains.

Further north is Bayonne with its fascinating old quarter where you can sample the renowned local hot chocolate. Just five miles to the south of Biarritz is the charming small town of Bidart, home to the property we have to rent on the Côte Basque. In contrast to Biarritz, this is a tranquil and quiet place where the Pay Basque countryside and coast meet. Most of the beaches are found at the base of a cliff and, even in high summer, many are not crowded. The principle architecture here is typically Basque with white facades, red shutters and colombage timbers and red tiled roofs. Further south still lies the fashionable seaside resort of St. Jean de Luz, then the Spanish border.

There are direct flights to Biarritz from both Stansted and Dublin.

Further north, near Bordeaux, we feature a stunning villa right by the beach at Arcachon.