France is not only one of the most visited countries on Earth, but it’s also somehow remained the dreamiest.
It doesn’t matter how many tourists are flocking to world-famous Parisian landmarks or French Riviera hotspots; the bottom line is that France is never a bad idea.
But even as popular as it’s remained for decades, there are still places flying under the radar, equally as beautiful as the household names we’ve all fallen in love with.
Don’t choke on your croissant when I tell you there is an expansive coastline in France largely undiscovered by the masses, with one stretch nearly hugging Spain.
No, it’s not one of the Riviera’s cluster of paradises — it’s a standalone city along the Bay of Biscay, which likely didn’t make the cut for your 2026 Bingo card.
Recently touted by Travel + Leisure as a “must-see”, Biarritz is arguably France’s most underrated beach destination, far removed from the hordes of tourists in the Côte d’Azur and well outside the Eiffel Tower’s orbit.
Welcome To The “California Of France” 🏄♂️
When you envision your seaside escape in France, yachts, patio fine dining, paradisal coves, and unsightly swimwear (no offense, Frenchies!) likely all come to mind.
Surfing, though?
That’s left to my neck of the woods in San Diego — definitely not Marseille or St. Tropez, right?
Right.
But again, that’s the Riviera. This is the Basque Coast, typically more associated with Spain than France.
The coastal charmer of Biarritz is a rare exception for SoCal vibes, where you’ll find nearly 2 dozen surf schools ready to help you brave the town’s big Atlantic waves.
Plage de la Côte des Basques is widely considered ground zero for Biarritz’s love affair with surfing.
However, if shredding gnarly waves isn’t your jam, bruh, and you’d rather experience a slice of France most guidebooks miss, summer is prime time for calmer, swimmable waters and fewer surfboards in your way.
But it’s not just the surfing community that gives off Cali vibes — it’s the laid-back atmosphere, vibrant blue water, and wellness-focused locals throughout town you’ll find as you peruse Halles de Biarritz, an absolute must-visit.
In other words, if Whole Foods were in France, you’d find one here.
Can croissants be organic? French tacos certainly can’t be…
Why Biarritz Is France’s Chicest Beach Escape 🏰
Pure elegance is not hard to come by in France as long as you’re willing to go off-path away from Paris tour groups.
Whether it’s an unheard-of village or, in this case, a locally beloved seaside resort, you don’t have to overpay in St. Tropez or uncomfortably navigate Marseille’s sketchy streets.
Biarritz is a safe haven for all, but more notably, it is authentic compared to these aforementioned locales, always drawing more tourists than locals merely having some fun in the sun.
This isn’t some flash-in-the-pan beach town riding a wave of hype, but a storied coastal escape with real pedigree, boasting grand old architecture from it regal past, and a breezy oceanfront setting that somehow feels both upscale and unfussy.
From its stately promenades and iconic waterfront to its chic boutiques, elegant hotels, and old-world resort charm, Biarritz has a way of making even a casual seaside stroll feel a little glamorous.
Compared to St. Tropez, Biarritz will seem cheap, but to most, it still costs a pretty penny if you opt for a classy hotel, such as the town’s most renowned Hôtel du Palais, in the $500s per night throughout the rest of spring.
Getting Here: Double-Dip This Trip! 🇫🇷 🇪🇸
Before planning any trip, you want to make sure you dot your I’s and cross your T’s by checking entry requirements.
Another thing — the U.S. State Department currently classifies France as Level 2, the second lowest designation.
This is what fellow travelers are saying in real-time about visiting France:
Biarritz may be a textbook “hidden gem” for most, but it does have its own airport connected by some of Europe’s largest hubs for Americans:
- Brussels
- Paris
- London
- Amsterdam
- Zurich
Just to name a handful.
Better yet, Biarritz isn’t exactly a border town, but being under 40 miles from Spain, you have to do it, right?
Don’t get me wrong — this fairytale hideaway is well worth being your main stay, but you can reach another of Europe’s most diverse countries a stone’s throw away, even if it’s just a day trip to such unknown treasures just across the border like Irun, or Hondarribia, on the edge of Basque countryside.
