Anglet

At the origins of Anglet

Second city of the French Basque country, Anglet extends over a particularly vast territory (from the Adour to the Biarritz lighthouse and from the beaches to the hills of Bassussarry) and is made up of a mosaic of districts: Blancpignon, Montbrun, Sutar, Chiberta , Five Cantons, Chassin, l'Union, Saint-Jean, Chambre d'Amour, Hardoy, Cantau, Aritxague, Brindos. We talk more often about the history of Biarritz and Bayonne than that of Anglet. Yet this city has a past as exciting as these two neighbors and so linked to these two rivals.

The city is reported for the first time as a parish in 1050. It is then mentioned Angles in 1188. At that time, the city was like a vast territory dotted with lakes, ponds, barthes and pignadas. The activity of the commune, populated by sharecroppers, winegrowers, herdsmen, ploughmen, millers and foresters was then essentially agricultural. In addition to the reputation of its flours, Anglet, also known for its excellent cider and its wine, supplied its neighbor and rival, Bayonne. In addition, the harvest of resin from pines occupied an important place in the local economy.

Under the Second Empire, Anglet received funds from Napoleon III which allowed the creation of a pine forest in Chiberta and which then became the main green space of the BAB agglomeration. It was then that the tourist vocation of the city was born. The site of the Chambre d'Amour was then very popular, and all the socialite clientele of Biarritz gathered around activities organized in Anglet (hunting at Chiberta, development of a racecourse in 1870 near the mouth of the 'Adour, creation of the Biarritz golf course in 1888 partly in Anglet, Montbrun shooting range in 1900, aerodrome at the Chambre d'Amour in 1912, sea bathing establishment and swimming pool at the Chambre d'Amour...) .

Then in 1927, the Chiberta golf course and a luxury housing estate were inaugurated there.
At the same time, the religious community of the Bernardines was born. Their activities initially focused on livestock, crops, embroidery, have now extended to teaching and daycare. The 20th century also marked the establishment of a few industries near the Adour: gunpowder works, soap factories, aviation factories, etc.
At the end of the war, Anglet became a privileged place because of its large land reserve.

The proximity of Bayonne and Biarritz led to the creation of a district in 1972, the BAB, then evolving in 1999 into a community of agglomerations. The transformation of the city and the seaside are accelerating: housing estates, shopping centres, construction of the VVF, car parks... Only the site of La Barre escaped a major marina project. However, the city has managed to preserve its coastline by developing vast green spaces along the beaches, equipped with play areas for children and, more recently, cycle paths.

The essentials of Anglet

In the heart of the Basque Coast, Anglet is renowned for its magnificent fine sandy beaches which stretch for several kilometers along the coast. Among the most popular beaches are Plage de la Chambre d'Amour, Plage des Sables d'Or and Plage de la Madrague. You can enjoy the sun, swim in the Atlantic Ocean or practice water sports such as surfing. Indeed, in Anglet, surfing is king! For a walk, the forest of Chiberta is the ideal place, located between the ocean and Lake Chiberta, it is a real haven of peace. It is home to many hiking and biking trails, ideal for nature lovers. You will be able to discover a variety of fauna and flora and enjoy magnificent landscapes.

In addition, the Chambre d'Amour promenade runs along the coast and offers a panoramic view of the ocean. You can walk along the coastline, ride a bike or just relax watching the waves. Many restaurants, bars and shops can also be found along this promenade. For golf enthusiasts, the Chiberta golf course. This 18-hole course offers an exceptional setting between the forest and the ocean. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced golfer, you can enjoy a round of golf in a unique environment. Another must-see in Anglet: the Cinq Cantons market. This market is one of the busiest in the region. Here you will find fresh local produce such as fruit, vegetables, cheese and fish. This is the ideal place to discover Basque flavors and do some shopping.

Living in Anglet

Between the mouth of the Adour and the Sutar plateau, Anglet is a link between the Landes and the Basque Country. On the coast, the towns of Bayonne and Biarritz are very close, less than 5km away and the village of Arcangues equidistant inland. In addition, living in Anglet offers many advantages due to its privileged geographical location between ocean and nature.

Indeed, Anglet is renowned for offering an excellent quality of life, being surrounded by unspoiled nature, Anglet is also well served by public transport, with regular bus lines which allow you to move around the region easily. The city is also accessible by Biarritz-Pays Basque airport, which offers national and international connections.

Regarding its real estate market, Anglet offers a wide variety of properties, ranging from apartments with sea views to sumptuous villas and luxury properties in beautiful residential areas or near natural areas.