The major boutiques, with all the big designer names from Paris, are on place Clemenceau in the heart of Biarritz. From this square, fan out to rue Gambetta, rue Mazagran, avenue Victor-Hugo, avenue Edouard-VII, avenue du Maréchal-Foch, and avenue de Verdun. Look for the exceptional Biarritz chocolates and confections, and textiles from the Basque country.
The finest chocolatiers are Pariès, 27 place Bellevue (tel. 05-59-22-07-52), where you can choose from seven kinds of tourons (nougats) ranging from raspberry to coffee; Daranatz, 12 av. du Maréchal-Foch (tel. 05-59-24-21-91); and Henriet, place Clemenceau (tel. 05-59-24-24-15 or 05-59-24-58-80), where the house specialty is rochers de Biarritz (morsels of candied orange peel and roasted almonds covered in dark chocolate). The owners also run the Musée du Chocolat, 14-15 av. Beaurivages (tel. 05-59-23-27-72; www.lemuseeduchocolat.com), where exhibits illustrate chocolate making and its history. There's also a sales kiosk. During July and August, it's open daily 10am to noon and 2:30 to 7pm; the rest of the year, it's open Monday through Saturday 10am to noon and 2:30 to 6pm. Admission fees are 6€ ($8.70) adults, 5€ ($7.30) students 12 to 18, 3€ ($4.40) children 4 to 12, and free for children 3 and under. At the other end of the gastronomic spectrum, try Mille et Un Fromages, 8 rue Victor Hugo (tel. 05-59-24-67-88), specializing in, as the name suggests, a myriad of tasty French cheeses, as well as a host of hearty wines to accompany them.
Virtually every souvenir shop and department store in the region sells espadrilles, the canvas-topped, rope-bottomed slippers. A simple off-the-shelf model begins at around 15€ ($22), and made-to-order versions (special sizes, special colors) rarely top 70€ ($102). Upscale espadrilles are made to order in Bidart, a hamlet between Biarritz and St-Jean-de-Luz, at Maison Garcia, pont de Baskutenea (tel. 05-59-26-51-27). Opened in 1937, this is one of the last manufacturers to finish its products by hand.
