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Rocher de la Vierge — Rock outcrop and footbridge surrounded by the blue seaPhoto: W. Bulach · CC BY-SA 4.0 · edited
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Rocher de la Vierge

Monuments & memorials ·Biarritz
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#2Monuments & memorials in FranceTravelers' Choice 2025
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About

Rocher de la Vierge is a sea rock in Biarritz, France, between the Port-Vieux and the Port des pêcheurs, crowned by a statue of the Virgin.

More photos 11

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Rocher de la Vierge — Rock formation and footbridge seen from the open water Jörg Braukmann · CC BY-SA 4.0 · edited
Rocher de la Vierge — Rock formation and footbridge seen from the open waterRocher de la Vierge — Quiet sea view of the rock and its footbridgeRocher de la Vierge — Rock outcrop and footbridge above foaming turquoise waterRocher de la Vierge — Rock and footbridge viewed from the coastal promenadeRocher de la Vierge — Rocky shoreline and distant Biarritz coast at sunsetRocher de la Vierge — Sunlit ochre rocks along the coastal edgeRocher de la Vierge — Natural rock arch and stairway beside the seaRocher de la Vierge — Historic black and white view of the rocky outcropRocher de la Vierge — Historic view of the rock and footbridge from shoreRocher de la Vierge — Historic coastal rocks near the Rocher de la ViergeRocher de la Vierge — Historic panorama of the rock and surrounding shoreline

Why go

  • The Vierge statue on the rock top, made by the Ducel & Fils workshops in Bordeaux
  • The view from the top over the whole bay, the Grande Plage and the Basque coast up to the Pyrénées
  • The metal footbridge to the rock, walked on wooden planks; open every day, around the clock

About the work

artist
Ducel & Fils workshops, Bordeaux They made the statue of the Vierge.

Interesting facts4

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  1. The ashes of the actress Maria Schneider were scattered in front of the rock.

    Rocher de la Vierge - Wikipedia

  2. The statue was bought at an exhibition in Bayonne.

    Rocher de la Vierge - Wikipedia

  3. The imperial couple often stayed at their summer palace, which is now the Hôtel du Palais.

    Rocher de la Vierge - Wikipedia

  4. The statue was also meant to guard the fishermen in future, as their patron saint.

    Rocher de la Vierge - Wikipedia

Shorts

History

Emperor Napoléon III had the rock pierced to build a harbour of refuge and a breakwater. A 76-metre viaduct was built to connect the rock to the shore. In 1864 the statue of the Vierge was set on the tip of the rock in the sea. It marks the safe return of local seafarers caught in a storm, who followed a light back to land.

  1. 15th centuryThe rock, then called Cucurlon, is a peninsula.
  2. 1863A wooden footbridge gives access to the rock.
  3. 1864The statue of the Vierge is set on the rock to mark the safe return of local seafarers.
  4. 1865The statue is blessed by the parish priest, abbé Casaux.
  5. 1887An iron footbridge replaces the wooden one; it is walked over on wooden planks.

Best time to visit

  • Open every day, around the clock, so any hour can be chosen for a visit.

Sources: Rocher de la Vierge - Wikipedia · Basque Country: Destination Guide | Official we… · Rocher de la Vierge - Wikipedia · Rocher de la Vierge: booking (its own site) · Rocher de la Vierge: description (its own site) · checked 25 Oct 2026

Where
Rocher de la Vierge, 64200 Biarritz, France

Plan from here: A day out →

Questions and answers

How do you get to Rocher de la Vierge in Biarritz?

The rock stands between the Port-Vieux and the Port des pêcheurs. A footbridge leads to it, and a tunnel passes through the rock.

What is the address of Rocher de la Vierge?

The postal address is 64200 Biarritz, France. The phone number is +33559300130.

What can you see from the top of Rocher de la Vierge?

From the top you can see the whole bay, the Grande Plage and the Basque coast up to the Pyrénées.

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