Biarritz’s claim to fame rose in the middle part of the 19^th century when Napoleon III’s wife, Empress Eugenie fell in love with the area and they built a palace here, which is now the highly exclusive Hotel du Palais.  Many royal European families vacationed and purchase land here. Biarritz is also known for its tides and international surfing competitions, and Thom painted this work as a “salute to the culture of France Atlantic coast.”