Where is the Rock of the Virgin located?
The Rock of the Virgin: an emblem of Biarritz
Several activities await you during your next vacation near Biarritz. Take the opportunity to discover some of the most beautiful sites in the area. Among the must-sees is the Rock of the Virgin.
Whether with family or friends, enjoy a stroll to the Rock of the Virgin. This grand and historic site attracts many visitors, but it’s also a favorite spot for locals who come to appreciate its beauty and breathe in the fresh sea air. The site’s allure is not a recent phenomenon; the Rock of the Virgin has been a symbol of Biarritz since at least the 19th century.
Its authenticity and picturesque charm spark the curiosity of tourists, who marvel at the statue of the Virgin Mary majestically perched on a rocky islet battered by the waves. Visitors reach the site via a long metal bridge. Once there, they can enjoy an exceptional view of the ocean and the city. Looking inland, the panorama stretches across the entire Basque Coast and even to the Pyrenees.
A romantic promenade spot, the Rock of the Virgin is one of the best places to admire the sunset. Jutting into the sea like the bow of a ship, between the Fishermen’s Port and the Old Port, this natural wonder now faces the Biarritz Aquarium and the City of the Ocean.
History of the Rock of the Virgin in Biarritz
In the 19th century, a statue of the Virgin Mary was erected at the tip of the rocky islet. According to legend, whalers caught in a storm were saved by the appearance of a divine light that guided them back to the port.
The statue, standing 3 meters tall, was built in 1865. In 1864, Napoleon III ordered the rock to be pierced and connected to the mainland via a wooden bridge.
The wooden bridge, however, could not withstand the battering waves and winds and was replaced in 1887 by a metal bridge inspired by Eiffel's works. At 75 meters long, this bridge still leads visitors to the rock, where they can lose themselves in the vastness of the ocean.
Both a place of memory and a breathtaking natural site, the Rock of the Virgin is tied to Biarritz’s maritime past and its imperial history.