A brief history of Biarritz

From the Middle Ages to the mid-17th century: Biarritz was a small port whose fishermen were renowned for their skill at harpooning whales.

1843 Victor Hugo, staying in Biarritz, was charmed by "this white village with red roofs and green shutters set on grassy ridges".

1854: Eugénie de Montijo, who had spent time here as a child, moved in with great fanfare after her marriage to Napoleon III. He had a summer residence built for his wife, the Villa Eugénie, which has since become the Hôtel du Palais, and the imperial couple visited every year until 1868.

In their wake, many crowned heads discovered Biarritz: Kings of Württember, Belgium and Portugal, Russian, Polish and Romanian princes, and English Lords.

1876: Construction of a Villa to receive the Grandees of Spain, which in 1999 became the Maison Garnier.

1888 The English give Biarritz its first golf course, the Golf du Phare, where the Prince of Wales, the future Edward VII, regularly plays.

1890-1914: Sadi Carnot, Poincaré, Clémenceau, Jules Ferry, Alexandre Dumas, Zola, meet around the beaches.

1929: Construction of the Casino Municipal. Sarah Bernhardt and Lucien Guitry, Sacha's father, perform there.

After 1945, Biarritz continued to attract important personalities from far-off lands: Farouk of Egypt, Michael of Romania, Pierre of Yugoslavia, as well as stars such as Rita Hayworth, Frank Sinatra, Gary Cooper and Bing Crosby.

1957: Thanks to American surfer Peter Viertel, Biarritz is the first European town to discover the sport.

1979: One of France's first spa centers is opened by famous cyclist Louison Bobet.

2002-2005-2006: The Biarritz Olympic rugby team is French champion.

2008: Biarritz is renowned for its variety of tourist attractions (golf, surfing, spa treatments...) as well as its business tourism (conventions, seminars...).