Musée historique de Biarritz
Local history museum in the former Anglican church of St Andrew in Biarritz, from whaling village to seaside resort.
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About the museum
The museum grew out of the Friends of the Musée historique de Biarritz association, officially founded in 1980 to create a local history museum. It opened on November 8, 1986 in the former Anglican church of St Andrew, made available by the town, which owns the building. The church dates from 1878.
The route traces the history of Biarritz, from the small whaling port to the seaside resort known around the world. After 18 months of work, the museum reopened on June 15, 2019 with an enhanced interior architecture, clearer displays, a cabinet of curiosities and two reading areas. A half-hour film about the town’s founding and development is screened continuously.
The collection has 5,318 items, two-thirds donations and one-third purchases: journals and books, photographs, postcards, graphic documents (engravings, paintings, drawings, posters, plans) and objects (trinkets, clothing, jewelry, furniture). The museum also organizes temporary exhibitions, lectures, concerts and guided tours of the town. Part of the archive, 1,020 digitized documents, can be consulted online.
Highlights
- History of Biarritz, from whaling village to seaside resort
- Former Anglican church of St Andrew, built in 1878
- Cabinet of curiosities
- Half-hour film shown continuously
- Digitized archives available online
Permanent exhibition
- Exposition permanente : l'histoire de Biarritz – Route through seven pavilions on the town’s history, from whaling port to seaside resort, with cabinet of curiosities and presentation film.
- Founded
- 1986
- Operated by
- Association des Amis du Musée historique de Biarritz
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €8 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €5Students, visitors with reduced mobility and job seekers |
| Children & teens | freefree up to age 12 · Free up to age 12. |
| Visitors with disabilities | €5Reduced rate for visitors with reduced mobility. |
| Students & apprentices | €5 |
| Groups | €7 per personPrice per person for groups of more than 10 people. |
| Audio guide (French, English, Spanish, Basque) | €2 |
Payment by French bank or postal check, or in cash.
Accessibility
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Kids & families
| Time needed | approx. 60 min |
|---|---|
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 12 |
Getting there & parking
By car
Parking available
Bellevue, Sainte-Eugénie and Clémenceau parking lots.
Free shuttle buses run from the town center to the museum. The museum is in the Quartier des Halles.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Museum shop
Shop and screening room.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| Audio guide | yes (FR, EN, ES, EU) |
| Good to know | The audio guide lasts 30 minutes and presents the seven pavilions of the permanent exhibition. On Saturday mornings at 10:00 the museum offers guided walks of Biarritz, limited to 30 people. Animals are not admitted. |
