Rizal took a one month vacation in Biarritz, France to recover from bitter memories in Madrid. He was welcomed by the Boustead family and stayed as their guest. There he met Nelly Boustead and developed a romantic relationship with her. However, their marriage plans failed because Rizal refused to convert from Catholicism to Protestantism for Nelly, and her mother disapproved of him due to his poor financial situation and persecution in his home country. Rizal finished writing his novel El Filibusterismo before departing Biarritz in March 1891.

1. Biarritz Vacation and Romance
with Nelly Boustead (1891)

2. It is filled with scenic beaches with
tourist from all parts of the world.
This place helped him to forget the bitter
memories of Madrid.
His health improved with remarkable
swiftness in this place.

3.  Warm welcomed by BOUSTEDS
As a family guests, he was treated with friendliness and hospitality.
 His one-month vacation in Biarritz made him forget the bitter memories in
Madrid.
• Scenic beaches
• Refreshing breezes of Atlantic ocean
• Festive atmosphere of the city
February 11, 1891- He wrote letter to Mariano Ponce
He said “I have put on so much weight since I arrived here, my cheeks are no longer
shrunken as before for the reason that I go to bed early and I have no cares”.

5. The prettier and younger daughter of
Eduardo Boustead.
He found her to be real Filipina, highly
intelligent, vivacious in temperament and
morally upright.
With this romantic relationship, he felt
invigorated to write and finish his novel El
Fibusterismo.

6.  February 4,1891 TEASING OF M.H DEL PILAR
Changing the “o” in Noli to an “e” which means Noli to Nellie.
Marcelo H. Del Pilar

7. He previously loved and lost Nelly.
He encouraged him to woo and marry
Nelly.

8. Rizal’s friend who advised him not to
marry Nelly.

9. Rizal’s marriage proposal failed 2 reasons;
(1) Refusing of giving up his CATHOLIC FAITH- converted to
PROSTESTANTISM
(2) Nelly’s mother did not like Rizal as son-in-law. Because she had no
wish to entrust her daughter to a man who is poor in material things, a
physician without a paying clientele, a writer who was persecuted by
friars and government officials by his country.
NELLIE BADE GOODBYE TO RIZAL…
 They parted as friends

10.  March 29, 1891
• The eve of his departure from Biarritz to Paris, he finished the manuscript of El
Filibusterismo.

11. March 30,1891
 Bade goodbye to the Boustead
 Proceeded by PARIS by train
 Stayed to his friend VALENTIN VENTURA, on 4 Rue de Chateudum.
 Wrote his letter to his friend JOSE MA. BASA (HONGKONG)
VALENTIN JOSE MA. BASA

12. April 4
• Desire to go back to British colony to practice ophthalmology to earn
his living.
• Requested BASA to order him a first class steamer ticket from
EUROPE- HONGKONG
Middle of April 1891
• Back to BRUSSELS
• Happily received by MARIE and SUZANNE JACOBY (landladies)
• PETIE SUZANNE- Belgian girl who loved him.

13.  Abdicating his leadership in Madrid in January 1891.
 Intrigues of his jealous patriots he desire to publish his second novel, to practiced
medical profession and make more vigorous campaign for the country’s
redemption.
 May 1 1891
Notifying the PROPAGANDA to cancel monthly allowance and devote the money to the
education of young Filipino students in EUROPE.

14.  RIZAL ceased to write articles in La Solidaridad but in spite of this matter many
of his friends in Spain urged him to continue writing for the patriotic periodical
because his articles are attracted considerable attention in European countries.
 August 7, 1891
Rizal stopped writing for La Solidaridad
3 reasons:
1. He need time to work on his book
2. He wanted other Filipinos to work also;
3. He considered it very important to the party that there be unity in the work.

15.  May 30, 1891
• The revision in apparently completed.
 June 13,1891
• Rizal informed BASA about his negotiation with the printing firm.