Brigitte Bardot's beach hideaway: Buzios

One thousand years before the Portuguese arrived in Brazil, the Tamoio and Goitacás tribes already inhabited the region of Búzios. Favored by the lack of defense provided by the Portuguese for the Brazilian coast and by the generosity of the coast and countless natural coves and ports, the French, English and Dutch pirates were extremely active in this region. In 1555, France invaded Rio de Janeiro and established the French Antartica. They developed good relationships with the indians in the region and the French took over the peninsula and built bases for protection and wood storage, mainly the Pau-Brasil. In 1575, the then governor D. Antônio Salema returned to the region, massacred the indians and retook control of the area. It was however, a temporary conquest because soon after, the French aided by the Tamoio indians reclaimed the situation. It was only in 1615, after a series of battles, that the Portuguese, now supported by the Araribóia indians finally and definitely drove the French away. Sant´Ana's Church With the end of the exporting activities, the region was then limited only to native fishing which was the only means of income. In the 50's, Dr. José Bento Ribeiro Dantas arrives in Búzios, being considered since then as the city's biggest benefactor. The Carioca high society starts coming to Búzios, attracted by the incredible beauty and privacy of this small fisherman's village. In 1964, Brigitte Bardot - then the world's most famous movie star - was brought by her Brazilian boyfriend Bob Zagury and she rediscovered her life and happiness in Búzios, finding a refuge from the journalists and photographers who chased her at the time.

Surrounded by 17 beaches, Buzios, once Brigitte Bardot's secret escape (with her Brazilian boyfriend in tow), is today the playground of Rio's social elite. Buzios is also home to Brazil's most famous movie festival.