Phare de Biarritz

The Phare de Biarritz stands on the Cap Saint-Martin, the rocky headland at the northern end of the resort, and it is the best viewpoint over the Basque coast. The tower, built between 1830 and 1834, is a plain white cylinder rising about forty-seven metres, and its lamp is placed some seventy metres above sea level, which gives the light a range of many nautical miles over the Bay of Biscay. It replaced an earlier beacon on the cape, and it was needed because this part of the Atlantic coast is exposed and dangerous for shipping, with strong currents, reefs and storms. The lighthouse is still active and is protected as a monument historique.

Visitors who climb the tower follow a spiral stair of about 250 steps to the gallery below the lantern. The climb is steady rather than hard, and the walls of the stairwell are whitewashed. The reward at the top is a wide panorama. To the south the coast curves around the rocks of Biarritz, the Grande Plage and the Rocher de la Vierge, a rock linked to the shore by a footbridge, and beyond them the Basque coastline continues to the Spanish border and the mountains of the Pyrenees, while to the north the long straight sandy coast of the Landes stretches away. On clear days the view is exceptional, and the sunset over the ocean is a favourite sight.

The lighthouse is managed by the local tourist office, which opens the tower to the public with set daily hours that vary with the season, so check before you go. The number of people allowed on the stairs at one time is limited, and in busy periods there may be a short queue. The gallery is exposed, so bring a windproof layer and wear comfortable shoes. A modest entry fee is charged.

The cape has been a place of attraction since the nineteenth century, when Biarritz became fashionable under Napoleon III and Empress Eugénie. The coastal paths around the headland are good for a walk, with rocks, cliffs and views of the surf, and the Atlantic breakers make this one of the great surfing coasts of Europe. The Côte des Basques beach lies on the other side of the town, and the Plage du Miramar and the Grande Plage are within walking distance, while the Musée Basque et de l'Histoire de Biarritz tells the story of the region. The Château de Biarritz and the Église Saint-Esprit are among other places to visit, and the Parc Municipal offers a green space.

The lighthouse suits families, photographers and walkers, and a visit takes about an hour including the climb. Late afternoon is the best time for views and light.