5600km of coastline, from the French Atlantic coast to the Côte d'Azur on the Mediterranean, France offers a multitude of world-class surf spots, both beach breaks and reefs. The seaside resort of Biarritz, the cradle of European surfing, is located on the southern French Atlantic coast. In our article, we present the best surf spots and most beautiful areas for your next surfing vacation - whether in your own camper van or in one of the numerous surf camps. We also have lots of useful tips for an unforgettable surfing vacation!
Contents
- The best coasts and surf spots for surfing in france
- The best season for surfing in France - weather, water temperature and climate
- The best time of day for surfing - the early bird catches the worm
- Rent a board and buy a surfboard in France
- Climate-friendly travel from Germany, Austria and Switzerland
- Surftrip France: travel luggage from mid-May to October
- Côte d'Argent - Endless sandy beaches and world-class surf spots in the south-west of France
- Carcans Plage
- Lacanau-Ocean
- Lège-Cap-Ferret
- Biscarrosse
- Mimizan
- Saint Girons Plage
- Moliets-Plage
- Messanges
- Vieux-Boucau-les-Bains
- Seignosse Océan (Le Penon)
- Hossegor
- Côte Basque - wild beauty of bathing bays, steep cliffs and hilly hinterland
- Biarritz
- Bidart
- Guéthary
- Lafitenia
- Saint-Jean-de-Luz
- Hendaye
The best coasts and surf spots for surfing in France
France is a true paradise for all surfers and those who want to become one in the future. With Normandy in the north, Britanie in the northwest and the epicenter of European surfing around Biarritz in the southwest, France offers a multitude of waves, world-class surf spots and the best conditions for surfing. Even the Mediterranean coasts offer good conditions in winter. With the Côte d'Argent and the Côte Basque in the south-west of the country, we would like to introduce you to the two best and most popular stretches of coastline, including all the good surf spots, in detail.
The best time of year for surfing in France - weather, water temperature and climate
The temperate climate favors warm, humid summers and cool winters on the Atlantic coast. Low pressure areas off Iceland provide the French Atlantic coast with constant swell and, with the "Fosse de Capreton", an underwater canyon directly off the south-west coast of France, provide world-famous surf spots, such as La Gravière in Hossegor or the big wave spot Belharra. As everywhere in Europe, you will find the best conditions for surfing in France from September to April. The summer months from May to September are also perfect for beginners and advanced surfers. With pleasant water and air temperatures, you can learn to surf in moderate wave heights and enjoy the beach life and the French way of life to the full. It should be noted that the so-called September Sessions in France are legendary - there are often perfect waves almost every day during this month with light offshore winds and late summer temperatures.
The best time of day to surf - the early bird catches the worm
For the perfect wave, a few factors have to come together on the French Atlantic coast. These include a decent groundswell, which is created by wind on the open sea. This swell then travels across the open sea and inevitably hits the coast, where the energy is discharged in the form of surf waves. In order for these waves to break perfectly for the surfer, a well-formed sandbank or reef plate, the right water level (tide) and a light offshore wind (offshore wind) are required, which causes the waves to build up and delays their breaking by crucial seconds. It is precisely this offshore wind that blows on the French Atlantic coast in the summer months, usually from early in the morning until late in the morning. As soon as the air over the land has warmed up more than over the sea due to the sun, the air flow turns from the sea towards the land, the so-called onshore wind. The onshore wind increases with rising air temperatures until late afternoon and only dies down again towards evening. For this reason, the waves on the French Atlantic coast are particularly good in the morning.
Wave check France tip:
- check the swell, wind force and wind direction on your surf forecast app (e.g. Magicseaweed)
- find out about the tides - when is low tide and high tide
- research which water level (e.g. rising water) is best for the waves at your surf spot (e.g. book Storm Rider Guide Europe)
- decide when the best conditions for surfing are for you and your skill level during the day
Rent a board and buy a surfboard in France
You can usually rent surfboards at any beach resort with its own surf store or surf school. If you want to buy your own board, we recommend a trip to the Factory Outlets in Soorts Hossegor. Here, Euroglass, among others, offers a large selection of surfboards!
Climate-friendly travel from Germany, Austria and Switzerland
Another advantage of spending your surfing vacation in France is the convenient, climate-friendly and fast journey by train, bus, car or plane from Germany, Austria and Switzerland. In addition to a good CO2 balance, France in particular is a safe, well-chosen and reliable travel destination in times of the corona pandemic and global crises, especially for families with children. Destination airports are usually Biarritz (BIQ), Bordeaux (BOD) or Hondarribia - San Sebastian (EAS) in Spain directly on the border with Hendaye in France.
Surftrip France luggage from mid-May to October
- 3/2 mm wetsuit (optional with short arms and legs)
- Bikini/boardshort
- Lycra for sun protection
- Optional 1mm neoprene top for protection against the cold
- Waterproof sunscreen with SPF 30+
- Zinc cream for prominent areas of the face for sun protection
- The Stormrider Guide Europe - practical book with all surf spots
- Magicseaweed App (Surf Forecast) - wave forecast for every surf spot worldwide
- bath towel
- Summer clothing
- long pants and sweater for the evening hours
- Light rain jacket
- Surf Lock - combination lock with storage box for car keys
- torch/head torch
- Headphones for cell phone
Côte d'Argent - Endless sandy beaches and world-class surf spots in the southwest of France
Côte d'Argent - the Silver Coast begins at the Gironde estuary near Bordeaux in the north and ends in the south just before Biarritz near Capreton in the Landes department. The approximately 250 km long coastline with its huge sandy beaches, adjacent pine forests and countless surf spots is a popular destination for surfers in the summer months. From experts to beginners, every surfer will find a wave here and empty lineups even in the summer months as soon as you move a few hundred meters away from the hotspots and simply walk to the next peak on the beach. All the surf spots on this coast run exclusively on sand, the so-called beach breaks!
This makes the Silver Coast an ideal place for all beginners, as the risk of injury is extremely low here compared to reefs with rocky ground. In addition to the beautiful nature and the endless clean beaches, this is another reason for the many surf camps in this region. We would like to introduce you to the best surf spots and most popular coastal resorts in the following short portrait!
Carcans Plage
The small seaside resort, northwest of Bordeaux, is the first port of call for many surfers after a long journey. The large sandy beach, with its directly adjacent campsite "Camping de L'Océan Carcans" in the pine forests, offers its guests a relaxed, original surf vibe in the summer months, especially for families.
- Surf spot type: Waves over sand (beach break)
- Surfing level: beginner to pro
- Excursion tip: Bordeaux, Lacanau-Ocean and Lac d`Hourtin
Lacanau-Ocean
For all surfers and beach lovers from the greater Bordeaux area, Lacanau-Ocean is the first choice if you want to get to the sea quickly. You can reach the popular surfing and beach resort in the very north of the Silver Coast in around 60 minutes by car from the city center of the wine metropolis. In addition to numerous surf stores with board rental and surf schools, you will find many restaurants, bars and nightclubs right on the long beach promenade.
- Surf spot type: Waves over sand (beach break)
- Surfing level: beginner to pro
- Excursion tip: Bordeaux
Lège-Cap-Ferret
The first classic surf spot in the middle of a pine forest on a peninsula. On the land side you will find the sheltered Arcachon basin with its sailing yachts and fishing boats. The sea side facing the Atlantic offers you the familiar picture of the Silver Coast with a large sandy beach and countless peaks for surfing. The beautiful campsite LE TRUC VERT is very popular with many surfers, as it offers a good starting point after a long journey for an extended surf trip along the Côte d'Argent and Côte Basque towards the south. As an excursion tip, we recommend the Dune du Pyla and the Paris of the south - Bordeaux!
- Surf spot type: Waves over sand (beach break)
- Surfing level: beginner to pro
- Excursion tip: Dune du Pyla and Bordeaux
- Campsite: Le Truc Vert
Biscarrosse
Another classic surf spot along the long sandy beach between Bordeaux and Biarritz. This spot is very popular with families with children, among others. Surfers meet at the Le Vivier and La Salie beach sections!
Mimizan
A very popular surf spot. The mouth of the Courant de Mimizan river ensures that good sandbanks for surfing are formed every year. Inland, a large lake offers a change of scenery for swimming and various water sports if the waves get too big.
- Surf spot type: Waves over sand (beach break)
- Surfing level: beginner to pro
Saint Girons Plage
The village with its Campéole Les Tourterelles campsite located directly on the dunes is very popular with families and young people who like it a little quieter and surfing is the main focus. The large campsite with its own swimming pool and leisure facilities such as beach volleyball courts, bike hire, table tennis etc. is home to many surf camps, including youth supervision for thirteen to seventeen-year-olds.
The extensive pine forests with their hiking and cycling trails offer other great vacation activities in addition to surfing. As an excursion tip, we recommend a bike tour through the shady pine forests to the beautiful village of Léon with its popular farmers' market and regional products.
- Surf spot type: Waves over sand (beach break)
- Surfing level: beginner to pro
- Excursion tip: Bike tour to the Léon farmers' market
- Campsite: Les Tourterelles (directly by the sea with dune crossing)
Moliets-Plage
Moliets-Plage is another typical coastal resort on the Côte d'Argent in the Landes department. A long beach promenade, the Landes Cigales and Le Saint Martin campsites as well as restaurants, bars and apartment complexes offer everything you need for a relaxed surfing vacation. A special feature are the many international surf camps, probably the highest density in the whole of France. The reason for this is the particularly good conditions for beginners, as a river estuary continuously washes sand into the ocean. The sand provides a gently sloping seabed, various sandbanks and plenty of white water, creating ideal conditions for all surfing beginners. Popular with young people in the past and famous for its parties, the place is now also suitable as a surf camp for the whole family. As an excursion tip, we recommend a hike through the adjacent Courant d'Huchet nature reserve!
- Surf spot type: Waves over sand (beach break)
- Surfing level: beginner to pro
- Excursion tip: Hike to the Courant d'Huchet nature reserve
- Campsite: Les Cigales (surf camps and 100% surf vibe), Le Saint Martin
- Nightlife: L'Open Café Moliets
Messanges
The small village between Moliets and Vieux-Boucau-les-Bains offers more good beach breaks with its long sandy beach, which vary in quality depending on the sandbanks formed each year. It's always worth making a stop here!
Vieux-Boucau-les-Bains
Vieux-Boucau is the southernmost town in the surf camp cluster of Mimizan, Saint Girons Plage and Moliets-Plage. Here, too, you will find the large beaches of the Silver Coast and many sandbanks with different peaks for every skill level. The town itself was an old harbor town and has grown naturally. You'll even find a small old town and a large bathing lake here!
Surf spot type: Waves over sand (beach break)
Surfing level: Beginner to pro
Seignosse Océan (Le Penon)
Located directly by the sea, the district of Seignosse Océan (formerly Le Penon) forms the jewel of the French Atlantic coast together with Hossegor and its surf spots further south. The sandbanks of the surf spots Le Penon, Les Bourdaines and Les Estagnots are world-class in good years and can be surfed by beginners to professionals. Here, only the power and height of the waves decide who makes it into the lineup as a surfer. The town itself consists of vacation home developments, apartment complexes, bars, restaurants, skate pools and everything you need for a summer beach vacation.
- Surf spot type: Waves over sand (beach break)
- Surfing level: Beginner to pro
- Excursion tip: Visit Bayonne/Biarritz and Surf Factory Outlets Soorts-Hossegor
Hossegor
The small town just off the Côte Basque enjoys world fame in the surfing scene. A geographical peculiarity, an undersea trench directly off the coast, allows the waves to break quickly from deep water into the shallows with great force. The approximately 10-kilometre stretch of coast from Seignosse to the harbor entrance in Capreton offers surfers several first-class surf spots, which are considered to be some of the best beach breaks in the world. It is therefore no coincidence that one of the two World Surf League Tour events in Europe is held here every October - the Quiksilver Pro France.
The most famous waves are La Gravière and La Nord directly on the beach promenade of Hossegor and Les Cul Nuls between Hossegor and Seignosse. In big swells, when all the sandbanks further north up to Lacanau-Ocean can no longer be surfed, the spot La Sud directly in front of the harbor pier in Capreton is recommended. The waves are always smaller here, so you can still surf in big swells. The town also offers numerous surf schools, restaurants, bars and of course lots of surf stores. Due to the great waves, it is of course no coincidence that the European surf industry has set up its headquarters here. A nice side effect of this are the Surf Factory Outlets from Billabong, Rip Curl and others in Soorts - Hossegor - our excursion tip!
- Surf spot type: Waves over sand (beach break)
- Surfing level: beginner to pro (La Gravière and La Nord only for good surfers)
- Excursion tip: Visit Bayonne/Biarritz and Surf Factory Outlets Soorts-Hossegor
Côte Basque - wild beauty of bathing bays, steep cliffs and hilly hinterland
The Basque Country in the south-west of France and north-east of Spain is probably one of the most beautiful and culturally rich landscapes in the whole of Europe. Steeply sloping coasts with rocky cliffs, sandy bathing bays, a green hilly hinterland and first-class surf spots make this region a very special one. Whether it's perfectly breaking reef waves, classic beach breaks or fantastic waves for longboarding - you'll find it all in the land of the proud Basques. Here are the best surf spots, favorite spots and tips for trips into the hinterland!
Biarritz
The cradle of European surfing and time-honored seaside resort has retained its charm to this day and, alongside Lisbon and San Sebastian, is one of the cities in Europe where beach life, surf culture and urban city culture merge into a symbiosis of pure joie de vivre. With its large bays and steep cliffs, the city offers three varied surf zones and one of the best longboard spots in Europe. To the north of Biarritz are the beaches and surf spots of the small town of Anglet, which are very similar to the Côte d'Argent. Several first-class surf spots such as Le Club, Sables d'Or and Les Cavaliers attract surfers from the surrounding communities such as Biarritz and Bayonne.
The main beach for all locals and tourists is the Grande Plage. Directly in front of the beautiful backdrop of the old seaside resort, you can surf various peaks in the large bay and enjoy the typical beach life. The waves here also run safely over sand. You should watch out for large rocks in the water and make sure you don't drift into the bathing zone while surfing. The parking garage under the casino is a good option for parking close to the surf spot!
In the far south is the famous Côte des Basques spot, the birthplace of the European surfing scene. The beach break is particularly popular with longboarders, as a long, non-steep right-hand wave breaks along the rocks. This spot is also very suitable for beginners with many other peaks along the beach. You will almost always find a wave to surf here, except for one hour before and one hour after high tide. Above the cliffs there is a lovely spot with an outdoor bar, boules courts, parking spaces and a beautiful view of the sea. In addition to the great waves, Biarritz is a very beautiful old seaside resort with small streets, first-class restaurants, bars and stores nestled in the breathtaking coastline of the Basque Country.
- Surf spot type: Waves over sand (beach break)
- Surfing level: Beginner to pro
- Sightseeing: Aquarium de Biarritz, Port des Pêcheurs (old fishing port)
- Excursion tip: Visit Bayonne, hike La Rhune in the hinterland, visit the village of Espelette in the beautiful Nive valley
Bidart
South of Biarritz, the small town of Bidart with its large sandy beach offers another option for surfing. The mouth of the Uhabia river always transports sediment into the sea and thus forms the basis for good sandbanks for surfing. The town itself has a typical Basque charm and offers many restaurants and cafés to linger in.
- Surf spot type: Waves over sand (beach break) - beware of large stones
- Surfing level: Beginner to pro
- Sightseeing: Aquarium de Biarritz, Port des Pêcheurs (old fishing port)
- Excursion tip: Visit Bayonne, hike La Rhune in the hinterland, visit the village of Espelette in the beautiful Nive valley, Guéthary and San Sebastian
Guéthary
Even without a surfboard, you should make a stop in this beautiful Basque village. The narrow streets, the small fishing port with its bathing beach and of course the Parlementia surf spot offer a dream setting to spend a few hours here. Parlementia is a reef about 500 meters off the coast of Guéthary that produces fast, steep peaks. The wave then flattens out and you need a long board to stay in the wave. The entrance to the surf spot is the small fishing harbor below the cliffs. In general, this wave is only for advanced surfers, but even watching it is an event.
The best place to do this is at the Hétéroclito bar, where locals and tourists meet in the evenings to watch the surfers and enjoy the sunset. As soon as it gets dark, we recommend a visit to one of the good restaurants in the village center or a match of the typical Basque game - pelota!
- Surf spot type: Waves over a flat reef (reef break)
- Surfing level: Advanced to pro
- Excursion tip: Visit Biarritz/Bayonne, hike La Rhune in the hinterland, visit the village of Espelette in the beautiful Nive valley.
Lafitenia
One of the best reefs in France. This surf spot is a so-called point break, which allows the waves to break to the right into the long bay. With a small swell, the wave is also suitable for beginners, with big waves only for advanced surfers and pros. Watch out for the strong current!
- Surf spot type: Waves over a reef (reef break)
- Surfing level: beginner to pro
Saint-Jean-de-Luz
The delightfully small town is protected from big waves by a large bay and a long harbor pier. The surf spots in the bay are primarily suitable for beginners, longboarders and advanced surfers, as all the big waves break in front of the bay. Similar to Nazaré in Portugal, the big wave spot Belharra Perdun is located off the coast just south of Saint-Jean-de-Luz, a deep underwater reef that usually breaks one of the biggest surfable waves in Europe during the winter months. An incredible show if you're in the right place. The town itself is beautiful and a popular vacation destination. We recommend a stroll through the town and a visit to one of the excellent restaurants at lunchtime for a cheap lunch. In France, we always recommend the dish of the day "Le Plat du Jour"!
- Surf spot type: Waves over sand and flat reef slabs (reef break)
- Surfing level: Advanced to pro
- Excursion tip: Stroll through the town and visit a restaurant, hike La Rhune in the hinterland, visit the village of Espelette
Hendaye
The town on the border with Spain is a popular seaside resort and surfing spot for the French. When the waves close out almost everywhere along the coast to the north, making it impossible to surf, the only alternative is the sheltered bay of Hendaye. Even in stormy and windy conditions, there is almost always a surfable wave here.
The long bay offers a whole series of peaks and relaxed beach breaks, making Hendaye probably the best beginner's spot for learning to surf in the whole of France. This is also reflected in the large number of surf schools and apartments, which attract numerous young French and international guests. You can park directly on the long beach promenade and sleeping out of season is also tolerated here. On the other side of the Bidasoa border river between France and Spain, you will find the beautiful harbor town of Hondarribia - our tip for an excursion after surfing!
- Surf spot type: Waves over sand (beach break)
- Surfing level: beginner to pro
- Excursion tip: Visit Hondarribia and San Sebastian in the Spanish Basque Country
Britanie and Normandy
If you like it rougher and a bit more "French", you shouldn't ignore Britanie and Normandy in the north. Here, a lot of good beach breaks and reefs provide optimal conditions for surfing. The side of Britanie facing the Atlantic around Brest is known for its good and consistent wave conditions.
Mediterranean
More information for your surf vacation and about surf camps and surf schools in France can be found in our surf camp overview!
