Anglet - near Biarritz

AngletAnglet lies on the Atlantic coast between Biarritz and Bayonne and is regarded as one of the triangle of these three linked towns.  It is quite different from the stylish Biarritz with its chic shops, casino and Belle Epoque houses and Bayonne with its famous chocolate museum and excellent Bonnet Art Museum.  It was once a rural area and vineyards but now Anglet has developed into a fashionable beach resort with an excellent Golf Club, a wonderful pine forest and a very good town.The town of Anglet offers a multitude of shops, restaurants and bars.  Apart from standard supermarkets and commerce the main road that leads from Bayonne to Biarritz is lined with shops offering all types of goods.  Venture into the smaller residential areas and you will find local shops and restaurants.  There is a twice weekly market on Thursday and Sunday mornings at Place du Quintaou.  Apart from local produce you can buy seafood and the famous “pibales” which are young eels.The beauty of Anglet is undoubtedly the beaches and there are 9 in all.  The beach stretches for nearly 5 kms with some parts of the beach backed by parkland giving the area a natural feel.  The beach is sandy and clean and perfect for families.  Small restaurants are dotted here and there as well as beach shops selling surf boards and beach games.  The long promenade is a home to cyclists, roller bladers and joggers as well as those who fancy a leisurely stroll. Anglet has many cycle paths and the town lend bicycles for free.  All you do is leave your passport as a guarantee for your orange cycle and you have use of your cycle from 10am to 8pm.   This is lively place, especially in the summer months and there is lot’s to do with water sports being one of the attractions.  Water sports are plentiful from surfing, skim boarding, delta planning and wind surfing.  It is worth noting that not all the beaches are patrolled with life guards and those that are patrolled are during the summer months.There are many restaurants to choose from all offering typical Basque dishes, fresh fish and seafood and in some you find paella.  As Anglet is mainly flat it is ideal for walkers, hikers and cyclists. There are three woods in Anglet (Lazaret Forest, Pignada Forest, and Chiberta Forest) where you can cycle along well marked routes, walk or hike. In Pignada Forest there is an adventure park and horse riding.    The ecological Izadia Park is interesting to visit to discover the local flora and fauna and many exotic plants.  The Golf du Chiberta which is between the forest and the beach has two different golf courses (one 9-hole and one 18-hole) and a practice green. Designed by Tom Simpson a legendary golf “designer” the course is perfect for all levels of expertise and lovers of that little white ball.  A smart hotel and club are also open to non-residents.Finally, if its relaxation and pampering you need then visit the Atlanthal thalassotherapy centre on Boulevard des Plages.  The centre is open daily and you can enjoy a wide range of treatments using seaweed, mud from the sea and mineral extracts.  More about Biarritz and the surrounding areaMore about Anglet