france

Went here in 2006.

Biarritz is a large town with several quartiers and is one of the principal resorts on the Côte Basque, and probably the most famous part of the Pays Basque. Biarritz came to fame in the mid 19th Century, when Empress Eugenie (the wife of Napoleon III) fell in love with this part of the Basque country and built a Palace on the beach at Biarritz (which is now the world class Hotel du Palais) and a centre with natural springs at Eugenie les Bains in the Landes. Eugenie invited foreign royalty to stay with their entourages and courtiers; Queen Victoria of Britain, who came regularly over a period of 30 years, and sundry Spanish, Swedish, Dutch, German, Russian nobility. The Russians built their own magnificent Orthodox Church next to the Palace.

The principle architecture in Biarritz was not typically Basque, but rather a blend of 19th century city residences, large and expansive, made of local stone bricks. If you bought one of these houses now, you would probably find titles such as the Prince, Duke, Baron, Marquee etc. on the title deeds.

Biarritz has a lot more than beautiful buildings to offer today. It’s a vibrant cosmopolitan town with magnificent beaches, golf courses and numerous sporting facilities, not forgetting the surf. Surfing started in France here in Biarritz and surfers come from all over the world to ride the waves. The Biarritz Surf Festival brings together surfers from Hawaii, California and Australia every year to celebrate the birth of surfing in Biarritz.

Went here in 2006.

A beautiful seaside resort and active fishing port not far from the Spanish border, Saint Jean de Luz is a lively and cosmopolitan town. The town center of St Jean de Luz has a medieval background, with no doubt, a great deal of influence in the past from Spain and the Moors, and with this mixture of architecture, old World charm, old buildings, fishing port and narrow lanes, there is an atmosphere (like a good football match or a rugby International), an ambience, even if the town is full of tourists of all nationalities, every one gets along, especially at the time of the jazz fete in the streets. One expects D’Artagnan, Don Quixote or Robin Hood to be sitting at the next table, as we revisit the middle ages.

Around the main square in the town center, you can find some of the best sea-food restaurants on the Cote Basque, as well as other bars and terraces from which to see and enjoy the regular musical events in the square – including a Basque Choir every Sunday morning (in the summer months). When you wander through the lanes looking at the shop windows, you will arrive at the more commercial end of town (still quite old, but certainly not medieval) where the Thermes and Casino are located and the chic shops are located.

The principle Architecture here is typically Basque, but with a blend of Moorish and Spanish Andalusian architecture, which creates a fine balance.

Went here in 2006.

Toulouse located in the South of France, capital of the Midi-Pyrénées region. It is located on the banks of the Garonne, close to the Pyrénées and halfway between the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea.

It is well known for some remarkable monuments and some worldwide famous products and companies ( Concorde, Airbus, Spot, Aerospatiale, etc.)

The warm glow of red bricks and tiles gives Toulouse its nickname, “La ville rose” (the rose red city). Culture is a keyword in Toulouse. The city is proud of its operatic traditions and has long nurtured music and entertainment: dance, theater, concerts by the “orchestre du capitole”, etc.
Sport is also a tradition here, especially rugby, Toulouse being the head city for this sport in France.

This metropolis, renowned for its pleasant way of life, is a favoured venue for conventions and trade fairs.

Go to Perros-Guirec and see the Pink Granites