View - Orient-Express

BIARRITZIndeed the town itself is something of a secret, asif hidden in the shadow of the Pyrenees mountainsthat rear up a few kilometres further south. Set in theBasque region, it’s in an area of France that manydedicated Francophiles have yet to reach. Paris?Yes. Provence? Of course. But Biarritz? Not yet. Andtherein lies much of its charm.There’s a wonderful whiff of glamour about thisfabled resort. Quirky mansions built by visitingaristocrats in the style of their homelands line thecliffs. They’re part of a long tradition of famous facesstaying here. Actress Isabelle Huppert, sitting by thebeachfront casino, barely draws a second glance.Nowhere captures the spirit of sophisticatedvacances more than Hôtel du Palais, the majesticbelle époque landmark on a headland at theresort’s heart. Built as Empress Eugénie’s privateresidence before becoming a hotel in 1893, it glowswith polished marble, gilded empire furniture andantique lamps. The ballroom, painted with classicalmurals, seems custom-made to host cotillion dancersbeneath its crystal chandeliers.Its Spa Impérial, spread over five spacious floors, isreplete with Roman-inspired pool, Turkish baths anda specialist centre for hair care. Beauty treatmentsusing products by Guerlain focus on a fragrancecreated by this great Parisian perfume house forEugénie herself, performed by experts from aroundthe world.And yet the hotel is also very much a part ofits earthy Basque heritage. There may be formalMichelin-starred dining in its restaurants, but ChefJean-Marie Gautier is a champion of regionalproduce and is never happier than when cycling tohis friends’ farms to source hand-reared ingredientsbursting with taste. Gautier mentions that his chickenCHEF JEAN-MARIEGAUTIER IS ACHAMPION OFREGIONAL PRODUCE.HE IS NEVER HAPPIERTHAN WHEN CYCLINGTO HIS FRIENDS’FARMS TO SOURCEHAND-REAREDINGREDIENTS.Chef Jean-Marie Gautier’s kitchen is the springboard fora wealth of innovative tastes which can be savoured in theMichelin-starred Villa Eugénie and La Rotonde restaurants.74