Anglet & Biarritz, France: Coastline Reset, Surf Vibes & Dog-Friendly Days

Leaving Bordeaux behind, I drove three hours southwest to Anglet, a coastal gem nestled between Bayonne and Biarritz, just 40 minutes from the Spanish border.

I arrived at my Airbnb in Anglet, a stylish ground-floor apartment with a private terrace, secure parking, and modern coastal décor. Think warm lighting, soft neutrals, and bohemian touches that make it feel instantly like home. 

Anglet has this calm, quietly cool energy with wide beaches, independent surf shops, and locals who seem to have mastered the art of balance. It’s coastal living with a creative edge. The perfect last French stop before I head into Spain.

Friday. Arrival in Anglet

After the drive, I took Roly for a short walk around the block, to stretch our legs. Dinner was a low-key takeaway night, a chance to reset after the drive and settle into the new space.

Saturday. Harbour Lunch & Beach Walks

Saturday was for exploring. I drove into Biarritz’s Old Harbour, and explored the cobbled streets that wind between quirky boutiques, surf shops, lively restaurants and cafés.

I had lunch at Chistera et Coquillages, a local favourite serving French–Basque tapas. I ordered two dishes; steak and squid, both marinated and cooked to perfection. After lunch, Roly and I walked down to Plage du Port Vieux, a small, sheltered cove tucked between cliffs, and then continued along the path to Grande Plage, the city’s main beach. He wasted no time jumping in for a swim while I sat and watched the waves roll in.

On the walk back, I stopped at Crêperie Bleue de Toi for a post-lunch crêpe, then wandered through Biarritz’s maze of independent shops before heading back to Anglet. The rest of the day was chilled with some client work, Netflix (hello Selling Sunset), and an easy night in.

Sunday. Market Finds & Sunshine

Sunday morning started at Marché de Quintaou, Anglet’s weekly food market. It's a lively maze of stalls where locals greet vendors by name and the air is filled with the smell of freshly cooked food and cheerful chatter.

I wandered between stalls piled high with local produce, tasting cheese, cured meats, and a baguette, trading smiles and small talk with stall owners who kindly overlooked my broken French.

It was the perfect start to the day before heading back to the Airbnb. I spent the afternoon catching up on client work from the terrace. The sun was out, music played softly in the background, and for a few hours, everything just felt still.

Monday. A Date to Remember

Monday was mostly a workday; laptop, sunshine, terrace, repeat until evening rolled around. I met Antoine, a Canadian from Quebec, along the Côte des Basques beachfront. 

We wandered aimlessly through Biarritz’s cobbled streets, talking about travel, life, and everything in between, before finding a wine bar tucked into a narrow lane. The kind of spot that feels like it’s been there forever, dimly lit, warm, and full of character.

Dinner was at Haragia, a steakhouse where they bring the cut of meat to your table before cooking it to perfection. Antoine and I shared a bottle of white, medium-rare steak, and conversation that flowed easily into laughter. Roly got a few bites of steak too (of course). 

By the end of the evening, we’d made friends with the owner and two guys there on business. Once everyone had finished their meals, we all ended up at the bar next door to continue the night with more drinks, more stories, more laughter.

It was one of those nights that reminded me why I love to travel, the serendipity of it all: new places, great food, and the kind of connection you can’t plan for.

Tuesday. Sunshine, Errands & a Coastal Farewell

Check-out day began with a few practical errands. First stop: an Amazon collection box in town (a lifesaver when you’re constantly on the move), followed by Anglet Auto Service Motrio, where the team kindly topped up my car oil ahead of the next leg of the journey. Quick, friendly, and genuinely helpful.

With a few hours to spare before my check-in across the border, I drove to Plage d’Anglet. The weather couldn’t have been better, 23°C, full sunshine, and that crisp  breeze that makes you want to linger just a little longer.

Roly splashed in the surf, tail wagging, while I sat back on the sand, letting the sound of the ocean melt away the last of my to-do list. There’s something about the Atlantic that feels cleansing; wild, rhythmic, and steady all at once.

Along the promenade, I stopped for lunch at À Table, a local spot with a sunny terrace and the kind of friendly owner who makes you feel instantly at home. I ordered a creamy prawn risotto topped with melted cheese, my “last lunch in France” moment and ended up chatting with the owner about my year-long European road trip. She was fascinated and insisted I visit Saint-Jean-de-Luz, just 30 minutes drive south, calling it “the perfect blend of France and Spain.”

A Stop in Saint-Jean-de-Luz

I took the restaurant owners advice, and she was right. The short drive from Biarritz to Saint-Jean-de-Luz felt like crossing between worlds. The scenery shifted subtly between French charm giving way to Spanish architecture.

In Saint-Jean-de-Luz, I wandered through boutiques, bakeries, and shops before finding myself at the harbour, where I grabbed a table at Le Suisse Brasserie & Café. With my laptop open and the sun on my face, I caught up on work emails, a perfect balance of work and wander.

Onward to Spain

From Saint-Jean-de-Luz, it was a smooth half-hour drive into San Sebastián. There's no border crossings, no passport checks, just a shift in language and rhythm as France faded quietly into Spain. That’s the beauty of the Schengen Agreement, it allows free movement across most of Europe, so driving from France into Spain feels as seamless as crossing into a neighbouring town. One minute you’re hearing bonjour, the next it’s hola.

There was something poetic about how simple it was. One continuous coastline, one endless sense of movement.

💌 Why I Loved Biarritz (and Anglet)

Biarritz and Anglet were everything I needed to close out my month in France with coastal calm, surf energy, beach walks, market mornings, and unexpected connections over wine.

This part of France was both grounding and alive, elegant yet laid-back, where surfboards lean against art galleries, and strangers still stop to say bonjour.

As I drove toward Spain, I felt deeply grateful. This was the perfect finale to the northern chapter of my French route. Though I’ll return to explore the south later, this stretch of coastline will always mark the true beginning of the adventure.

Merci beaucoup, France. Now onto the next route San Sebastián. 🇪🇸