BIARRITZ


The French city of Biarritz lies on the Bay of Biscay in the Basque region, just 22 miles from the border with Spain. A one-time whaling village, in the mid- 18th century it gained popularity as a spa, when ‘sea-baths’ were believed to ease all manner of ailments. A hundred years later, Emperor Napoleon III built a palatial villa (now the Hôtel du Palais) for his Spanish-born consort Eugenie. The couple’s summertime sojourns made the belle époque-era seaside town popular with European royalty. But crowns and tiaras could not outshine the land’s unique Basque heritage, evident in its language, artistic expression and food culture. Basque cuisine remains popular to this day, from the traditional bakeries that serve cheesecake-like etxeko bixkotxa or Gâteau Basque to contemporary restaurants like Marloe. Here, chef Eric Martins (above) serves fine pays Basque produce such as Ossau- Iraty cheese, best enjoyed with quince or local Espelette peppers.


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