Biarritz

Biarritz became a bolthole for the 19th century elite after Napoleon III and his wife decided to spend their summers in this seaside gem. The following century saw icons such as Frank Sinatra, Rita Hayworth, Bette Davis, and Ernest Hemingway follow suit, cementing Biarritz’s ritzy rep.  While the town impresses with its elegant villas, heritage buildings, and art deco detail, the Grande Plage lures with its exposed beach break, beckoning surfers in search of big waves. ‘Flip flop’ to this famous beach to show off your tan and surfing talent or hide in one of its iconic, striped, 1920s-style beach tents and spy on bronzed surfers, international urbanites, and holidaying Parisians. Alternatively,  you can chill on any of the town’s other five, equally magnificent, beaches.  Evenings should be spent sampling contemporary versions of Basque favourites. But before you revel in the town’s revamped dining scene, you simply must have sundowners at Les Baigneuses rooftop bar or Café de la Grande Plage. Unless you can think of a better way to start the evening than by combining cocktails while watching white breakers crash on the beach and the sun set into the Atlantic.