The Atlantic coastal town of Biarritz is best known for its beaches, which are known as some of the finest in Europe, especially for surfing and other water sports. Located only 11 miles from the border with Spain, Biarritz is situated in French Basque Country, known as Labourd, but its history has also been influenced by Vikings, who settled in the area in the 9th century because of its good location for whaling. In the 18th century, Biarritz became a resort town when doctors began prescribing visits to the seaside to their patients; by the 19th century, visitors from throughout France and the rest of Europe, including members of the royal families, began to frequent Biarritz, sealing its reputation as a fashionable vacation destination. Today, Biarritz still attracts surfers and beachcombers, as well as tourists simply in search of sandy beaches and dramatic cliff views.
