finding an affordable beach before a pyrenees wedding

I'm heading to a wedding in the Pyrenees, close to Tarbes, and thought it’d be fun to spend a few days by the coast first. I was hoping for somewhere with a nice beach, good swimming, and not crazy expensive—ideally under $400 a night. I started looking at Biarritz because everyone raves about it, but wow, the prices are through the roof! I’m not looking for luxury, just a comfortable spot to relax before the big event. Here’s the kicker: I’d really love to take a direct train to the Tarbes area after, because dragging luggage through a bunch of transfers is not my idea of a vacation. I’m open to anywhere along the coast, not just the Riviera. Have any of you found a hidden gem that fits the bill? Maybe a town that’s not packed with tourists but still has a great beach? Or is this just wishful thinking in France these days? If you’ve done something similar, where did you stay, and how was the train ride? Did you find any spots that were surprisingly affordable, or is the whole coast just overpriced now? I’d love to hear your stories—especially if you found a place that made you feel like you got away with something! #traveladvice #france #beachvacation #budgettravel #traintravel #Travel