To most, especially those who run with a fashionable crowd, the South of France means movies at Cannes, drinks at Le Club 55 and yachts as big and as flashy as any multi-million dollar mansion. To Roxy pro surfer Lee-Ann Curren however, the South of France is home and, more importantly, a place to practice her craft. Though the blonde bombshell and daughter of surfing legend Tom Curren is busy with her Surf and Hope foundation, playing in her band Betty The Shark and working to win world surfing championships, Curren’s heart always remains on the beaches of Biarritz.
In the seaside town much akin to California’s Venice, the sun, sand and waves freckled with welcoming bars and intimate shops are the main draw, and at a moment now when the jetsetters are favoring laidback over luxurious, Biarritz has become one of the most unintentionally trendy travel destinations in Europe. Much like the recent flux of fashion designers, models, editors and moguls that have been trekking to Tulum in Mexico, Biarritz is attracting a similarly stylish, artistically inclined crowd that craves a cool charm.
For any visitor, it’s a hidden gem. For Curren, it’s an unpretentious paradise. And while she could be easily mistaken for one of the Parisian-chic travelers there, this in-demand surfer is a likeable local girl who knows the real best of the best in Biarritz.
Below, Curren shares her favorite spots by the sea.
Favorite Surf Spot: “The beach where I first learned, called ‘La Cote Des Basques.'”
Favorite Shopping: “Roxy, Beach Bum, HB Art Gallery where my friend Mathieu Chavaren shows and sells his work.”
Favorite Restaurants/Bars: “Bar Jean, Comptoir du Foie Gras and La Cabane à Huitres.”
Place for Sweets: “Henriet for chocolate, Miremont for pastries and hot chocolate with ocean view.”
Outside of Town: “Kostaldea is in Anglet close to Biarritz. I’ve often played music there with Betty and The Shark. It has an amazing view, good vibes and good food, and you can either have breakfast and coffee in the morning and check the waves at the same time, or go at night for sunset drinks.”
