Day Five - Arcachon to Biarritz

I didn't sleep well, you can't with one eye open, can you. I was a little concerned that the hobo in the corner may come and murder me in my bed. Nothing happened though and although I didn't sleep that well, I did sleep and woke up at 8:30 to start the day. After breakfast of co-co pops (very French I know) I hit the road.

This morning I'm heading for Biarritz, it's mostly a motorway journey but through the vineyards of Bordeaux. My trusty travelling partner tells me it's going to take 3 hours. Once again, despite the beautiful winter sun of yesterday it was a clear night and a very thick frost. Despite the fact that I had had the central heating on all night the sides of the van were icy and it took a good while for the plugs on the engine to warm up.

Biarritz is a city on the Bay of Biscay, on the Atlantic coast in the Pyrénées Atlantiques department in southwestern France. It is a luxurious seaside town and is popular with tourists and surfers.







Lying at the heart of the Basque country and at the foot of the Pyrenees, Biarritz is a welcoming town with a sporting side to it. Known as the European capital of surfing, Biarritz also has a reputation as a golfing hotspot. This charming seaside resort nestles in the cradle of the Atlantic ocean, and acts as a gateway to Spain.

The town turned from quiet fishing port into elegant holiday resort when the monarchy began to holiday here, in the early 19th century. Now you can find top quality seafood restaurants and tapas bars here.
The phare or Biarritz lighthouse overlooks the Landes sands and the Basque country rocks. From the top of the lighthouse (if you have the energy to tackle the 248 steps) the viewing platform offers a spectacular view: you can see as far as the Virgin's rock and even to the beaches of Spain.

If you are keen to take to the waves, there are numerous surf schools who'll teach you to tame the ocean. Or just sit back and watch the pros battle it out during the Gotcha Marbella Tag Team. Biarritz celebrates the extroardinary power of the sea at the Biarritz Ocean Festival.
And at the Maritime Museum it's all about - you've guessed it - the sea. There are over 150 acquatic species to be found in these waters, including sharks
Biarritz is very much a Basque country town and hold its traditions very dear. On the first Sunday of every month you can see the traditional Basque "mutxiko" dancers on the esplanade in front of the Casino.
From Biarritz you could explore the area with a couple of day trips: check out the pretty port town of Saint-Jean-de-Luz, or Bayonne, the capital of the Basque region, where you can see traditional Basque bull-fighting.

I arrived in town at around 12:30, it was another beautiful day. Sun shining in a cloudless sky. The camp site was once again free and just out of town, right on the beach. It was quite busy given the time of year. Once installed and a spot of Iunch, I set out to explore

Most of the afternoon I walked, first one way, then the other. There is a massive hotel that looks like a ship. There were lots of surfers and hundreds of French people promenading. I stayed out to capture a wonderful sunset then headed back to the van.
Dinner of bangers and mash and a glass of red wine ( South African)







I had plenty of food but only one glass of wine in the van, I did try looking for a shop but the closest one announced he was closed, you can come back tomorrow.

I spent the evening reading in the van and made a plan that I was going to stay in Biarritz an extra day.




















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Location:Biarritz - Aquitaine - France