Car Hire Biarritz Train Station

Planning a trip to the southwest coast of France with the stylish city of Biarritz as your base?

The resort city first became a destination for Europe’s elite as long ago as the 1850s when Emperor Napoleon III and his wife Eugénie de Montijo built a palace there. Its appeal with the glitterati lasted long into the 20th century attracting stars like Marlene Dietrich, Coco Chanel, Ernest Hemingway and Frank Sinatra.

With its warm summers and mild winters, the city remains enduringly popular and its location on the Bay of Biscay, makes it a surfer’s paradise. Between the coast and the mountains, the city flies the flag of the French Basque country.

The city’s railway links date back to the arrival of the Imperial family – the railway was extended to Biarritz with the station opening in 1865 to enable the royals to enjoy their holidays. Today, there are several high speed (TGV) trains a day connecting Paris Gare

Montparnasse with Biarritz, a journey of around 4hrs with other stops on the route including major cities like Bordeaux, Bayonne and Dax.

Hiring a car from Avis at Biarritz Train Station gives you the chance to explore the southwest coast of France, plan at road trip into the Pyrenees or head further afield across the border into Spain. So, whether you are looking for the perfect hire car to tackle the mountains or the wider region, Avis has you covered as soon as you step off the train.

You’ll find our Avis office at Biarritz Train Station superbly located just outside the entrance to the station. As you leave the station concourse, turn left and you will see our Avis office directly in front of you right by the station car park just off Allée du Moura.

From our Avis office at Biarritz Station, it’s just a 10min (3.2km) drive into the heart of Biarritz. Turn left out of the station car park onto Allée du Moura and at the roundabout take the second exit onto Av. du Président J F Kennedy and continue into the centre of the city.

Biarritz was once a simple fishing village until its new lease of life as the summer home of the French Emperor transformed it into an elegant seaside resort visited by European royalty, politicians and celebrities. Even Queen Victoria stopped by, staying for a couple of summers at the Villa Rochefoucauld. Today, you can get a sense of the early life of Biarritz as a hotspot for the rich and famous by stepping inside – or even staying at - the former summer residence of Napoleon III and his wife. Their home on a promontory above the bay is now the Hotel du Palais, a sumptuous 5 star hotel.

One of the top attractions in Biarritz is the Rocher de la Vierge, a small rocky crag with a statue of the Virgin Mary looking out to sea. You can walk to the Rocher de la Vierge via a footbridge and the effort is worthwhile for the sweeping views across the Bay of Biscay.

Kick back and spend the day on the golden sands of the Grande Plage and take a stroll to watch the sun go down at the Phare de Biarritz lighthouse.

If you are an art lover, the city’s Musée Asiatica, is filled with Asian art and artefacts while the aquarium at City of the Ocean is another popular attraction.

Foodies should not miss the daily Halles market offering a colourful array that is a feast for the senses. If you need to work up an appetite, there is golf at Golf du Phare one of France’s oldest courses and in winter, join the locals cheering on Biarritz rugby club at the Stade Aguiléra.

Biarritz is well located for a range of road trips, whether you want to explore the Atlantic coast, drive the Bordeaux vineyards or cross the border into Spain. It’s also conveniently located close to the Pyrenees for ski and mountain sport enthusiasts, as well as many other scenic destinations.

Bordeaux

A drive of about 2hr20min northeast on the A63 highway takes you to the city of Bordeaux, capital of the Aquitaine region and a centre of winegrowing. Close to the mouth of the River Garonne, this port city offers plenty of a day trip and much longer. While you are there, don’t miss the Cathédrale Saint-André or the Musée des Beaux-Arts de Bordeaux. Wander the public gardens by the quayside, catch a performance at the Opera de Bordeaux and enjoy the regional gastronomy in one of the city’s many internationally renowned restaurants.

Lourdes

Take a 1hr55min drive east via A65 to the pilgrimage town of Lourdes. In the foothills of the Pyrenees, Lourdes welcomes millions of pilgrims a year to visit Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes, a Catholic shrine and pilgrimage site and the Grotto of Massabielle (Grotto of the Apparitions) where the Virgin Mary is said to have appeared.

San Sebastian

Less than an hour south of Biarritz lies the Spanish city of San Sebastian nestled on the coast with its famous horseshoe bay, described as the best beach in Europe. This port city has plenty of history to explore as well as the celebrated Basque cuisine to sample. The hilltop Monte Urgull, winding up to the Sagrado Corazón statue, accessible via four footpaths is among its top attractions.

The roads in and around Biarritz are easy to navigate making Biarritz Station the perfect please to collect your hire car and discover some of the best driving roads in the Southwest of France. Hiring a car from Avis at Biarritz Station gives you the freedom and flexibility to explore at your own pace. If you are feeling inspired, why not check out our experts’ guide to great France road trips.

If you are picking up your hire car from Avis at Biarritz Station and want to explore Biarritz, you’ll find plenty of public parking around the station area. There are plenty of parking options in the city centre including park and ride, on street and underground parking options. Some hotels also have their own parking areas. Don’t forget parking in Biarritz can be at a premium in the peak summer months and it is worth booking ahead before you set off.

If you are heading out to tour southwast France from Biarritz Station, our friendly Avis team is on hand to help make your road trip as smooth as possible.

If you are new to driving in France, we’d advise familiarising yourself with the latest advice plus the road rules in France.