Maison Exotique at Nouvelle-Aquitaine

The Neighborhood

Situated in vibrant Biarritz, the jewel in the crown of the dramatic Atlantic Coast, Maison Exotique benefits from a fantastic location with all the excitement of this fantastic town so near. Sitting on a residential road, amongst a mix of other lovely traditional 1930’s villas, you’ll love to know that just 800m down the road you’ll be able to dip your toes into the inviting waters of the ocean and have a spectacular 6km of beautiful sandy beaches to choose from. And with the glitz and glamour of one of France’s most renowned playgrounds of the rich and famous just moments from your door, you’ll never be short of things to keep everyone busy. Biarritz is an elegant seaside resort dating back to the 19^th century when aristocracy built their summer residences along this part of the coast, including the well-known Hotel du Palais, built by the wife of Napoleon III on the famous La Grande Plage. In 1957 however, when American screen writer Peter Viertel caught a wave, suddenly Biarritz became the ultimate surf mecca, and the alluring dichotomy of this lively town was born; The French Riviera meets Surf City USA. Considered one of the finest surf beaches in the world, the Grande Plage is a place to see and be seen, but head slightly up the coast to the long sandy beach Côtes des Basques for a truly authentic surfing experience. You will find some superb restaurants in the Port des Pecheurs, the former fishing port, where ordering some beautifully fresh seafood is a must. Food lovers don’t miss the fantastic market at the Halles de Biarritz, offering many delicious Basque specialities, from delicious <i>touron</i> (marzipan), succulent locally cured ham as well as mussels, mushrooms and so much more. A lovely atmosphere can be found around the Port Vieux where you’ll discover a tiny sheltered beach loved by locals and the town’s main shopping street, Rue Port Vieux. Beautiful Art Deco buildings can be appreciated all around the town and especially along the main beach, including the casino (also home to a theatre and swimming pool) and the Aquarium, which is a must for sea-lovers or families. Another one of the town’s highlights is the incredible Rocher of the Vierge peninsular, which can be visited via the Eiffel bridge that connects it to the mainland Other coastal areas that are definitely worth a visit include the picturesque town of Ciboure (19km) to the south where Matisse once lived and the lively resort of Saint-Jean-de-Luz (18km) with a great sandy beach and plenty of family-friendly activities, as well as an abundance of golf courses and lovely walks along the surrounding coastline and hills. For a change of scenery, venture inland to explore some traditional Basque villages, such as two of France’s <i>Plus Beaux Village</i>s; pretty Ainhoa (28km) and Sare (26km), where you can take the old wooden train up to the summit of La Rhune, one of the most dominant peaks of the Pyrénées, where there are some restaurants with spectacular views as well as some keen hiking opportunities. Hiking in this area is second to none, if you’re lucky you’ll even stumble across local shepherds as they tend to their flocks. For the sporting amongst you, it’s not just the surf that attracts people to this area. The whole region offers an extended range of outdoor activities, such as walking, horse-back riding, fishing, golf, cycling, and canoeing. You won’t be disappointed.