10 Best Family Things to Do in Biarritz

La Côte des Basques beach is an absolute must during your time in Biarritz. This vast stretch of fine, golden sand borders the Atlantic Ocean, and the rolling waves that come in from the sea make it a true surfers' paradise. The show never ends here, much to the delight of the kids who marvel at the surfers' skills. They can also make the most of the water in complete safety, due to its lifeguard station geared up for children's safety, and with the distribution of sunscreen or identity bracelets.

The many surf schools available here mean that the older ones can also give it a go. In the evening, the whole family can enjoy the magnificent sunsets offering views across to the Spanish coastline surrounded by impressive cliffs.

Miramar Beach (Plage du Miramar) is undoubtedly one of the locals' most closely guarded secrets. It is a thousand miles from the hustle and bustle of the beach at La Grande Plage and yet so close by. This small sandy beach, mostly accessible by foot, is a quiet and charming place sheltered from the wind. It's therefore an ideal location to enjoy the delights of the sea with young children.

Supervised bathing is available in July and August. However, as with the rest of the Basque coastline, it's not advisable to go in the water during high tide or when the sea is rough. Outside of the bathing area, surfers and bodyboarders provide entertainment.

Milady Beach (Plage de la Milady) is a real treat for families and is well known by the locals. In this beautiful setting, there is a vast expanse of sand with waves that crash against the huge rocks as well as a lovely children's play area and a wonderful promenade next to the sea. There is free parking available, and 'handiplage' and 'handisurf' activities (accessible activities for those with disabilities) are available in July and August.

For everyone's peace of mind, bathing is supervised in the high season. There are a number of friendly cafe and restaurants nearby, ready to indulge your every whim.

Illbaritz Beach (Plage d’Ilbarritz) is a great place for an introduction to surfing. The Bidart Surf Academy is a pleasant, family-friendly surf school, found on the beautiful beach between Biarritz and Bidart. Here, the experienced and enthusiastic instructors pull out all the stops to share their passion with you, whether you're a child, a beginner or even an expert. Foam boards, bodyboards, hybrids and stand-up paddleboards – all the equipment you need is available here to hire.

Your instructor will capture all your best surfing moments with their action camera. And to fully enjoy the experience, the club can even organize an evening aperitif at sunset to help you commit the day's best waves to memory.

City of the Ocean (Cité de l’Océan) can be found in the friendly area of Côte des Basques. Its strange, wave-shaped building seems to want to catch the surfers' attention. It's home to an interactive museum showing a number of family-friendly movies. A number of different universes allow you to delve deep into all the secrets of the ocean.

You can climb aboard a diving vessel before riding the perfect tube. Next, you can tease Archie, the giant squid, and listen to the secrets of Christopher Columbus. Then, get in the Seaborg to do some diving (without getting wet), before finally entering a replica of a polar base. In short, young and old alike can enjoy a host of educational experiences that are often interactive and always interesting and fun.

A hike along the Biarritz coastline offers a breath of sea air with your family to recharge your batteries. With walking boots on your feet and a picnic on your back, start your journey at the well-known Chambre d'Amour cave (grotte de la Chambre d’Amour) in Anglet. This 10 km walk takes around 3 hours and follows an easy route through a covered walkway, running alongside the Grande Plage Miramar to the magnificent fishing port. Next, climb to the Plateau de l'Atalaye to reach the legendary Rock of the Virgin (Rocher de la Vierge).

After a little detour via Basques Beach (Plage de Basques), a firm favorite with surfers, climb back up to the Beaurivage Plateau (Plateau Beaurivage) before returning to the town center and Les Halles, finishing your walk along the lighthouse path. It's an adventure that will allow you to explore everything Biarritz has to offer.

The Biarritz Multimedia Library (La Médiathèque de Biarritz) is a strange, modern building that, like a ship carried away by the waves, has been grounded in the heart of the town center, providing young and old with memories of fascinating and faraway journeys. Opened in 2005, the library will delight architecture enthusiasts, before revealing its treasures spread across 3,600 square meters.

This lively cultural space offers a number of exhibitions and workshops, in particular for songwriting, as well as meetings with artists and writers. Children can discover a number of different musical genres, try their hand at art or take part in spoken stories or concerts.

Pierre Forsans Public Garden (le jardin public Pierre Forsans) – named after the director of the railroads and former mayor of Biarritz – is a calm, green space in the heart of the town. It is located between Boulevard Carnot and Rue du Jardin Public opposite the Gare du Midi.

This park is a firm favorite with families thanks to its vast expanse of lawns, a plethora of flowers, pretty statues, a pavilion that hosts a number of activities and a play area that is great for younger visitors. Many comfortable benches offer you some time out for a little reading, quiet contemplation or a place to enjoy a sweet treat.

Marion Lake (Lac Marion) is a peaceful and picturesque spot, ideal for recreation or family walks. It is hidden within a spectacular landscape of greenery yet is just a stone's throw from the town center. This fantastic playground is spread across 20 hectares including 5 hectares of water.

The lake is home to perch, carp and pumpkinseed fish, surrounded by magnificent English oak trees. Anglers, joggers, hikers and other sports enthusiasts will fully appreciate the fresh air, while children 2–12 won't be able to stay away from the 3,000-square-metre playground.

At Operation Escape in Bayonne, you can surprise your companions during this 60-minute immersive adventure that is both intense and entertaining. As its name implies, it's an escape room where you must take on several missions before escaping. There are a number of themes to choose from like whodunnits, magic, fantastic beasts or brain-teasers.

Once you've chosen your theme, a game master will plunge you deep inside what will be your story for the next hour. In your quest for freedom, you'll pass through a series of rooms, each more surprising and disorientating than the last. It's an unforgettable adventure that can be shared as a couple, a family or with friends, age 8 and over.