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Beaches bathed in light or a swimming pool of filtered sea
water with its fitness area, the shadow of beach cabanas,
well-being rolls in on a sea mist, life bathed in sunlight,
the refreshing coolness of a cocktail …. And each moment
slips by with a smooth lightness, the soul at rest,
anticipating joys and pleasures to come. |
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One of the very first famous converts to the Biarritz cause was
Victor Hugo, who came here in 1843. Charmed by this "white village
with red roofs and green shutters, set on crops of grass", he
immediately anticipated that "Biarritz would become fashionable". "The
day will come soon!", he remarked with prescience.
Indeed, eleven years later, the countess of Montijo, who had stayed
there when she was a child, set up a home there in great luxury
after her marriage to Napoleon III, for a two-month stay. Welcomed
by a cheering crowd, the imperial couple chose Château de Gramont,
which belonged to the Mayor of Bayonne, as their residence.
Napoleon very soon had a summer residence built for his wife, called
La Villa Eugénie, and the couple came every year until 1868, to
enjoy the benefits of the sea and the climate. In their wake came
many royal heads to discover this town. Kings of Würtenberg, Belgium
and Portugal, Russian, Polish and Rumanian princes, Grands of Spain
and Lords of England all gave an elevated status to Biarritz, which
by then counted 10,000 holidaymakers each season.
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