Another day out, venturing into France, we decided to visit Biarritz. David had heard tales of, in the 60’s, it being inundated with celebrities such as Coco Chanel, Frank Sinatra, Ernest Hemingway and the Duke and Duchess of Windsor. They have all stayed at the Hotel du Palais Imperial Resort & Spa, standing in splendid isolation on La Grande Plage. It juts out over a walkway through the cliffs called the Winston Churchill Allee! Originally built as a holiday palace by Napoleon III, grandson of Bonaparte, for his empress Eugenie du Montijo, it’s been a hotel since 1893 and nowadays commands €30 for a Ceasar salad starter – I would imagine a Platinum AMEX is necessary for a 3 course dinner with champers!! We have read that the Hotel renovates it’s rooms at a cost of between €90,000 and €350,000 per room!

We started the morning with a “Petit Dejeuner”, a glass of orange juice, three fresh mini croissants and a coffee, served under the red canopy of the Cafe De La Grande Plage for only €5 each. Well, we did have comfortable seats and fluffy cushions!! We strolled along the beach front, admiring all the palatial apartments overlooking the Atlantic gasping at the ludricous prices, a few million Euros for a 2 bed apartment (about 90m2) with a garage space. If you want the concierge services, a pool and spa, gardeners and a space to park the motorbike, you can double the price!!! However, they were stunning decorative art deco buildings, all glass balconies and fabulous views…..and amazing shops in the town centre.

The small port and it’s rocky outcrop of islets all added to the glamour and we spent a wonderful day just gasping and in awe, we “get it”……why Biarritz is brilliant.

At one point I showed David a beautiful clear Vase, mentioned that later in the month it is my birthday, and how a vase may not be totally appropriate in our trailer right now, such an item is a long term investment. He agreed that it was beautiful, until he asked the price!!! The Lalique vase in question was €4,400.00. Somehow, I am not worth that much!!!

The designer shops were quickly passed by, he commented on one lovely handbag, hoping it was cheaper than the vase. Sadly it was but not by much. €1,800.00. Maybe not today.

Posh Petit Dejeuner at La Grand Plage Cafe