Surf Spots in France
If your interests include a lively nightlife, rich local history, superb
food
and consistent swells, than France is for you. Its long coastline
boasts
a glut of hollow beach breaks and some exceptional reef and
point breaks.
Besides good surf, what attracts world-class and average surfers alike
is the total surf experience. On a coastline packed full of culture and waves, you can catch A-frame tubes in the morning and then kick back après surf for some good food, wine and sights.
Culture and ambiance aside, the real draw is the waves. Not to worry - France delivers.
The French Mediterranean and the northern coast of Brittany occasionally deliver waves, but the most dependable surf potential lies to the south. The west-facing Atlantic coastline catches swells as they are funneled into the Bay of Biscay. The SW coast of France, known as the Cote de Basque (Basque Coast), renowned for its wealth of surf, runs down to the border with Spain. Hossegor, Biarritz, Anglet and Guethary, to name a few beaches, are popular surf destinations in this wave rich zone. Tubing beach breaks, pumped with swell from low-pressure systems, are the wave du jour when it’s on. The warm months of June – August find the more popular spots thick with people. But if you are willing to explore and come armed with some basic knowledge, you can find your own peak.
Fall, winter, and spring usher in cooler water and more powerful waves, with winter water temperatures plummeting into the mid to high forties. Those willing to surf the colder months will find light crowds and gaping tubes. The bottom line: France’s Atlantic coast is blessed with hundreds of miles of wave-filled experiences. Whether you surf the spitting beach breaks of Hossegor, the mellow waves of Cote de Basques in Biarritz, or tackle a big wave spot like Guethary, you will enjoy your time in surf-stoked France.
Find a surf school in France.
La Torche |
| Surf Location |
Brittany region on northwest coastline |
| Best Swell Direction |
Northwest, Southwest and West |
| Best Tide |
All |
| Best Wind Direction |
East, Southeast |
| Best Surf Season |
Fall |
| Wave Quality |
One of the most consistent breaks in Brittany region. Long left with some hollow rights. |
| The Surfers |
Crowds in the summer but a generally friendly vibe |
| Boards |
All boards work here |
| Paddle Out |
Easy to difficult depending on size of swell |
| Skill Level |
Intermediate |
| Bottom |
Sandy with some rocks. Topography consists of rocky headlands and coves. |
| Watch Out For… |
Summer crowds and the occasional rock |
| Water Condition |
Relatively clean |
Lacanau |
| Surf Location |
North of Hossegor in Gironde region. Home of the Lacanau Pro. |
| Best Swell Direction |
West, Northwest |
| Best Tide |
All |
| Best Wind Direction |
East (offshore) |
| Best Surf Season |
Fall (September-November) |
| Wave Quality |
Fair to excellent depending on swell |
| The Surfers |
Expect crowds in summer. Overall good vibe. |
| Boards |
All boards work here |
| Paddle Out |
Fair to difficult depending on swell. It is a beach break, so big days may be difficult. |
| Skill Level |
Intermediate |
| Bottom |
Sand |
| Watch Out For… |
Crowded lineups in summer months |
| Water Condition |
Relatively clean |
Hossegor - La Graviere |
| Surf Location |
Central beach of Hossegor near the seafront plaza |
| Best Swell Direction |
West |
| Best Tide |
Low to falling tide |
| Best Wind Direction |
East |
| Best Surf Season |
Autumn (September-November) |
| Wave Quality |
This world-class beach break produces pits with intense power. Often compared to Hawaiian juice when firing. |
| The Surfers |
All skill levels show up in summer months. In the fall you’ll find experienced surfers hunting serious barrels. |
| Boards |
Shortboard |
| Paddle Out |
Easy to very difficult. Limb-torturing paddles when all the elements line up. |
| Skill Level |
Intermediate to Experienced depending on season |
| Bottom |
Sandy with some rocks |
| Watch Out For… |
Summer crowds and strong riptides in the autumn |
| Water Condition |
Relatively clean |
Hossegor |
| Surf Location |
Long beach with multiple peaks. Don’t miss this fertile stretch of beach if you’re in France. Pick your spot and park your car on the side of the road - access via the dune trails. You can also use the parking lot at Les Estangots…another good spot. |
| Best Swell Direction |
Northwest, West |
| Best Tide |
Low incoming tide |
| Best Wind Direction |
East |
| Best Surf Season |
Fall, Winter and Spring |
| Wave Quality |
Superb spitting tubes. Arguably the best stretch of beach breaks in France. |
| The Surfers |
Pretty good vibe as long as you are respectful. Talent level is high when the waves are firing. |
| Boards |
Shortboard to big wave gun |
| Paddle Out |
Like any strong-breaking beach break, it can be challenging |
| Skill Level |
Intermediate to Pro |
| Bottom |
Sand |
| Watch Out For… |
Crowds and thumping closeouts |
| Water Condition |
Can get suspect at times, but generally okay |
Hossegor, France - Surf Video
Capbreton -La Piste/WF |
| Surf Location |
Located in the seaside resort of Capbreton, just south of Hossegor |
| Best Swell Direction |
Northwest, West |
| Best Tide |
Low to mid tide |
| Best Wind Direction |
East, Southeast |
| Best Surf Season |
Fall, Winter and Spring |
| Wave Quality |
Good to excellent. This spot is known for spitting tubes close to shore. |
| The Surfers |
Heavy localism, especially in the evening |
| Boards |
Short board |
| Paddle Out |
Depending on the wave size, paddle out can run from easy to difficult |
| Skill Level |
Novice to Pro. Tom Curren made these tubes famous. |
| Bottom |
Sandy |
| Watch Out For… |
Crowds when it’s going off |
| Water Condition |
Relatively clean |
Les Cavaliers |
| Surf Location |
5 km of pumping beach break that runs south to Anglet and begins just south of the river Adour |
| Best Swell Direction |
West, Northwest |
| Best Tide |
Low to mid tide |
| Best Wind Direction |
East |
| Best Surf Season |
Fall, Winter and Spring |
| Wave Quality |
Super hollow wave helped by a series of jetties/breakwaters. Multiple beach breaks of superb quality when swell is present. |
| The Surfers |
Local surfers are skilled and not overly friendly |
| Boards |
Short board |
| Paddle Out |
Moderate |
| Skill Level |
Intermediate to Experienced |
| Bottom |
Sand |
| Watch Out For… |
Other surfers and closeouts |
| Water Condition |
Pretty clean |
Anglet- Marinella |
| Surf Location |
In Anglet. American world champ Tom Curren lived and surfed consistent barrels in the Anglet area for years. |
| Best Swell Direction |
West, Northwest |
| Best Tide |
Low to mid tide |
| Best Wind Direction |
East |
| Best Surf Season |
Fall, Winter and Spring |
| Wave Quality |
Quality beach break good for all skill levels |
| The Surfers |
Locals rip, and there are lots of them due to the proximity to the city center |
| Boards |
Short board |
| Paddle Out |
Easy to moderate |
| Skill Level |
Beginner to Intermediate |
| Bottom |
Sand |
| Watch Out For… |
Crowds |
| Water Condition |
Relatively clean |
Anglet - Les Sables d’Or |
| Surf Location |
Anglet |
| Best Swell Direction |
West, Southwest |
| Best Tide |
Incoming tide |
| Best Wind Direction |
East |
| Best Surf Season |
Fall, Winter and Spring |
| Wave Quality |
Hollow beach break |
| The Surfers |
Beginners to Expert, very localized |
| Boards |
Short boards |
| Paddle Out |
Easy to moderate |
| Skill Level |
Beginner to Intermediate |
| Bottom |
Sand |
| Watch Out For… |
Localism |
| Water Condition |
Relatively clean |
Biarritz - Cote de Basques |
| Surf Location |
Seaside resort mecca south of Anglet and north of Guethary, known for its numerous shops and eateries as well its oceanside castle. Good spot for beginner surfers to catch waves… and the scene. (Look for the castle and you're there.) |
| Best Swell Direction |
Anything out of the West |
| Best Tide |
Low and mid tide |
| Best Wind Direction |
Anything with East in it |
| Best Surf Season |
Summer and Fall |
| Wave Quality |
Sheltered right point break that is reliant on shifting sand bars. Not much power, which makes it a good starter wave. “Cool” factor is off the charts - it breaks in front of a castle. |
| The Surfers |
All kinds of surfers and a multitude of surf craft. The place to be in the summer. |
| Boards |
Anything goes |
| Paddle Out |
Easy |
| Skill Level |
Beginner to Expert |
| Bottom |
Sand with some rocks |
| Watch Out For… |
Super fuel-injected crowds |
| Water Condition |
Clean |
Biarritz- Gran Plage |
| Surf Location |
In front of the gothic casino and down the beach from Cote de Basque |
| Best Swell Direction |
West and Southwest |
| Best Tide |
Low to mid tide |
| Best Wind Direction |
East |
| Best Surf Season |
Autumn, Winter and Spring |
| Wave Quality |
Hollow and fast wave that works as a good substitute for a trip north to Anglet |
| The Surfers |
Experienced surfers. Vibe is okay if you show respect. |
| Boards |
Short boards |
| Paddle Out |
Typical for a beach break. Can get tough with big swell. |
| Skill Level |
Intermediate |
| Bottom |
Sand |
| Watch Out For… |
Locals in the lineup, naked men on the beach |
| Water Condition |
Relatively clean |
Biarritz, France - Surf Video
Guethary |
| Surf Location |
Laid-back French town south of Biarritz. The break is to the right of the harbor. |
| Best Swell Direction |
North, Northwest |
| Best Tide |
On big swells, it will break on any tide. For the rest of us, it takes a lower tide on smaller swells. |
| Best Wind Direction |
East |
| Best Surf Season |
If you like it big, winter months are for you. Summer produces fun smaller surf. |
| Wave Quality |
Excellent if you like large, powerful, open ocean surf. It breaks well offshore compared with most breaks in the region. |
| The Surfers |
Experienced surfers tackle this big wave spot starting in September |
| Boards |
Short board, long board, or big wave gun. |
| Paddle Out |
The wave breaks well offshore, which makes for an arduous paddle. On big days, mix in large shifting peaks, and you could be in for some real work. |
| Skill Level |
Novice to Expert. When it’s big…experienced surfers only. |
| Bottom |
Rock reef |
| Watch Out For… |
Getting caught inside on big days. Crowds on smaller days. |
| Water Condition |
Clean |
Guethary, France - Surf Video
Lafitenia |
| Surf Location |
Located just south of Guethary near Acotz |
| Best Swell Direction |
Northwest |
| Best Tide |
Low to Mid |
| Best Wind Direction |
Southeast |
| Best Surf Season |
Fall and Winter |
| Wave Quality |
Right point break with long reeling rides when the conditions are right. Long walls outside and a hollow section inside. |
| The Surfers |
Respect and patience go a long way here |
| Boards |
Shortboard to longboard |
| Paddle Out |
Easy to difficult |
| Skill Level |
Intermediate |
| Bottom |
Rock and sand |
| Watch Out For… |
Rocks, crowds in the summer |
| Water Condition |
Clean |
