Biarritz-anyone been?

[SpiritualKnot]

Thinking of booking a fortnight's holiday in Biarritz on the South West coast of France. Has anyone been there?

My husband wants to go to Spain really, but he doesn't fly well (slight understatement). Last time he went to East France he flew there on a return ticket and then took a train back. He won't go on a boat eiher. I'm not keen on Spain myself as my parents rave on and on about how great it is and I can't bear it.

Anyway long story short, Biarritz took my fancy as it's fairly short flight, it's near Spain, near an airport (3 km) and is warm. There also seems to be some good waves for my son to try some surfing.

If anyone knows anywhere good to stay or anywhere to avoid, be it hotel, b&b or campsite I'd like to hear fom you.

Thank you
SK

Hi

I live just near by in Pau. Biarritz is wonderful, very chic and stylish, lovely restaurants and beautiful fishing villages like Guethary just near by. Would throughly recommend, especially for a family holiday. It is quite pricey for accommodation though. Not sure about places to stay but try to go out of season like June or September if possible as is full of rich Parisiens in July/August. You could even get the train and change in either Lille or Paris - it is about 5 hours from Paris.

Thank you for that NicMac.

We are planning to go in August 5th-19th so it will be busy, but we have to go around then because of the school holidays.

I told someone at work that I was thinking about going and they said "dangerous place for surfing there coz of the huge waves. Hope your kids are good swimmers."

Is it dangerous? There's nothing on the websites that says it is. My son's (age 16yrs) really looking forward to having a go at surfing and I may book him some lessons.

I've found a nice looking, cheapish hotel with a pool which is around 1736 euro for 2 weeks (room only) which seems very reasonable. They say they will hold the room until 20 February until I can confirm, as my husband still hasn't booked the time off.

Anyway, do you think that price is good for an hotel in Biarritz? And do you know how much surfing lessons are approximately?

Sorry to ask so many questions! But I do appreciate any input!

SK

Hi

I think the hotel sounds reasonable if there are two rooms. You could also think about renting a villa. The waves can be high on the West Coast but it is very well supervised and I think in summer is normally not too violent! You could also look at Hossegor too which is just up the coast and great for surfing. As a guide I think 300 euros a week for 3 hours a day of lessons is about right.
Hope this helps