Sunday, October 17, 2010

Biarritz and the Basque country

Biarritz on the Basque coast in South Western France was once a small whaling sea town. It became more renowned when Empress Eugenie (wife of Napoleon III) fell in love with the place and built her summer palace La Ville Eugenie (the present day Hotel Du Palais) on the beach.

Today, Biarritz is a popular tourist destination with much to offer: Basque culture and cuisine, beaches, golf, hiking trail, shopping etc.
What I remember most is how strikingly beautiful the place is - a battered coast that meets gentle hills and valleys. White buildings with timber trims painted brown, green, burgundy or navy hug the hill paths, while the majestic peaks of the Pyrenees lie beyond.

5 comments:

eatdrinkplayjunkie said...

love the pics! the coast view looks exactly like a postcard.

wildgoose said...

I second edp junkie! :P

No need to do all those activities. Just enjoying the views is quite enough.

sinlady said...

edpj - thanks. i am proud of the pics :)

wildgoose - oh if only we were allowed to! sigh.

tuti said...

i am imagining how it would be like to stay in one of those houses overseeing the sea. really free like bird (again).

sinlady said...

tuti - i imagine it would be lovely. i am more a cabin in the mountains person. the wind from the ocean drives me crazy.