The Docks of Biarritz, epicenter of gourmet pleasure!

Direct sales at the farm, country markets, producers' stores, local counters... short circuits are on the rise! Consumers today demand to know better what they are buying and local products are naturally popular. If during your next stay on the Basque coast you want to bet on small local producers and local shops to delight your taste buds, go to the Docks of Biarritz! This former industrial district converted into a mini-village of artisan shops awaits you for a real culinary journey and much more...

The docks of Biarritz: a paradise for local gourmets!

Nothing could be easier than adopting the trend of “locavorism” in the Basque Country, a region known for its gastronomy and its local products developed with respect for traditions and know-how.

If the idea of traveling the Basque hinterland to visit farms and small producers is attractive, there is also an unusual place where all the regional specialties are gathered to the delight of gourmets. 3 km from Biarritz city center and 4 km from the Grande Plage, the Docks of Biarritz have become in a few years a teeming place of life, in the heart of the old industrial district of La Négresse. In the last century, this corner located to the south-east of Biarritz, around the Rue Luis Mariano, was reserved for a few industrial activities, notably housing an anchovy salting factory which in 1903 processed nearly 30 tonnes of fish.

Preserved and converted, the building of the old tile factories, industrial style from the end of the 19th century, today hosts many small shops within a craft area that has developed in this rehabilitated district. From the fishmonger to the butcher, passing by the chocolatier, the baker, the cheese maker, the wine merchant, the florist, the butcher, the fruit and vegetable merchant... there are about fifty small businesses, restaurants and shops, all activities combined, who share their excellence in the service of taste and quality.  

A wide variety of products for all of your shopping! At the heart of this shopping complex, very popular with locals, a few charming restaurants, a shop specializing in tea and a pastry shop invite you to sit on the terrace for a little gourmet break in the sun.

A delight from the Docks Délices bakery and pastry shop

Local products in the spotlight  

A visit to the famous Maison Aubard is a must. This artisan butcher, whose head office has been in Bayonne since 1946, has joined this dynamic district to offer a large range of his " house " products and specialties from the Basque region. Inside, charcuterie lovers will be tempted by the essential Bayonne IGP ham, Kintoa PDO ham, Basque confits and cured meats, pâtés, terrines, sausages. Regional cooked dishes such as squid, axoa, piperade and Basque-style chicken are also offered for sale as well as a magnificent assortment of cheeses from the Basque Country, direct from different producers… A small palace of local flavors!

the Crèmerie des Docks

Alexandre de la Crèmerie des Docks cutting cheese

On the other side of the street, I find Alexandre who manages the Crèmerie des Docks, another real institution in the neighborhood. When it comes to cheese, nothing beats a small artisan who can advise you on good farm products according to your tastes, from a wide selection made with respect for the seasons, origins and ripening. Sheep, cow or goat cheese, Alexandre knows his cheeses perfectly as well as his suppliers, small producers from the Basque Country and France.  

On this land turned towards the mountains but also towards the ocean, fishing is an integral part of the heritage. The Fishmonger La Criée des Docks and the Cabane de Loulou enhance this long tradition by offering fish, seafood, shellfish, fine and fresh products from local fishing on their stalls. The managers, Laurent and Céline make it a point of honor to work only with trusted fishermen to offer a range of excellent products to their customers (including the famous seafood platter to order), along with preparations " house " like the delicious paella, fish soup, cod brandade or stuffed piquillos!

Detour to the market gardener for seasonal fruits and vegetables  

Known for its cutting-edge selections and its commitment to producers who work with respect for nature and the environment, Le Cellier des Docks is the essential epicurean address to choose, taste and appreciate a wide range of wines, beers and spirits. Are you hesitating between several wines from the southwest or between a few fine Spanish vintages? Ask the professionals for advice, on-site sommeliers will be happy to discuss this area of expertise that fascinates them.

At the very heart of this complex with a huge parking lot, you will find on site a beauty institute, a Yoga studio, a hairdressing salon, a pharmacy, a decoration store and concept store, a photo studio and much more… An address to discover without further delay!

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Photos and Article prepared by Lesley Williamson for the Guide du Pays Basque