Rocher de la Vierge de Biarritz

Biarritz

At Biarritz, a rocky islet juts into the Atlantic, crowned with a statue of the Virgin: this is the rocher de la Vierge, formerly called Cucurlon (Curculon is also found). According to the tradition reported by the Pays basque tourist office, whalers from Biarritz caught in a storm were guided to the port by a light; once saved, they offered the statue in thanks. Another version, given by the Biarritz tourist office, tells that fishermen returning with a whale were cursed by a mermaid turned into a gorgon: the whale became the rocher du Boucalot and they the neighbouring rocks. The documented history is more prosaic. Napoléon III wanted to make this rock the base of a harbour of refuge for Biarritz: a first wooden footbridge, begun in 1863 or 1864 depending on the sources, did not withstand the waves, and the breakwater was destroyed several times before the project was abandoned as too costly. The statue, installed in 1865, now looks out to sea. The metal footbridge that one takes today dates from 1877 according to the Biarritz tourist office, which specifies that it is not the work of Gustave Eiffel, contrary to what is often read.

Getting there: Free and open, day and night; one goes by a tunnel dug under the rocher de l'Atalaye, then by the footbridge, which may be closed in bad weather or storm. No parking in front: underground car park of the place Sainte-Eugénie. Coordinates: Wikidata entry of the rock (precision about 1 m), not verified on the ground.

Opening times and access details are given as a guide only: check before you set out.

Ambient sound