Surfing in France: The 27 Best Surf Spots in France

Bonjour everyone. Today, we’re taking you into the dreamy world of countless beach breaks along the French Atlantic coast. Besides wine, cheese and baguettes, you’ll also find barrels, walls and beginner-friendly waves here – especially in the south-western part of the coast, from Le Pin Sec to Biarritz. Because hidden behind the pine forests and high sand dunes are some of the most beautiful waves in France. Find out why France is the perfect place for your surf holiday, why the best waves break there and which surfcamps are ideal for your surf trip along the French Atlantic coast.

Another special feature of the French coast is the deep-sea canyon off the town of Hossegor. Thanks to this underwater canyon, waves are able to carry their energy from the Atlantic all the way to the coast. When the waves hit the shore, they can reach almost twice the size of waves just a few kilometres further north. This is where you’ll find hollow barrels and where the best surfers in Europe paddle out when the surf forecast predicts good waves. Only experienced surfers with many years of practice should enter the water here. Strong currents and shallow sandbanks make surfing here an extreme sport.

• Le Pin Sec - Le Pin Sec means pure relaxation. Around an hour’s drive from Bordeaux, you’ll find a small recreational area with a sparsely populated landscape, lots of nature and very consistent waves. Welcome to Le Pin Sec. There are many different breaks here, but the wave directly in front of our campsite works best. You can surf both lefts and rights here. Depending on the tide, the wave can be a little steeper or flatter. Perfect for beginners who want to give surfing a try. Of course, there’s also plenty to experience in our camp besides surfing. You can go on bike tours through nature and experience beautiful France in your own personal way. In Le Pin Sec, we have spacious safari tents set up for you in nature.
• Carcans - Carcans is a good surf spot in France for beginners, but it can get quite crowded in summer. The beach break works with smaller northwest and west swells, at all tides, and easterly wind is offshore. 

• Lacanau - You could say that Lacanau is Bordeaux’s home beach. Things can get pretty wild here on weekends. Only narrow dunes and the beach separate the waves from the bars. In the evening, the lively beachfront promenade turns into a party strip. Those who manage to make it into the line-up on time the next morning can look forward to a great session. Lacanau is also known for its consistent sandbanks.

• Biscarrosse Plage - Biscarrosse Plage has a larger town behind it, but the campsite in the north is small and really charming. Biscarrosse also often offers beginner-friendly waves. The sandbanks are decent, but perfect for your first days in the water. Plus, Biscarrosse is the closest beach to Germany, which alone makes it worth a stop. Right behind the dune and in the middle of a peaceful pine forest lies the cosy Family Surfcamp Biscarrosse – with the surf spot right on your doorstep!

• Mimizan Plage - In terms of conditions, Mimizan Plage is similar to Moliets. It has very consistent sandbanks that are supplied with fresh sand by the river. Mimizan usually works best around mid tide. Along the beach, there are 4 different sandbanks. These are reshaped after every big storm or flood. So going there and checking the conditions is usually the best approach.
• Cap de l’Homy - Cap de l’Homy in the Landes region is a sandbank that works at all tides and all year round. Offshore winds come from the east-southeast. The best swell direction is from the west, when this beach break produces both left- and right-hand waves.

• Moliets Plage - The home of many German surfers. Almost everyone started out here at some point, and almost everyone still loves surfing here. In Moliets, you’ll find especially clean waves in the morning hours. Despite all the storms and mega swells that rolled in here over the past winters, the sandbanks remain in great shape and offer perfect conditions again this year. Moliets charms with different peaks and a relaxed vibe in the water. Because of the crowds, the rule here is: the early bird catches the worm. If you’re looking for pure relaxation and prefer to take it easy, check out our new mobile homes. Classic surfcamp vibes can be found, for example, at Pure Surfcamp Moliets, or with even more comfort and a stronger sports focus at the 24+ Surfcamp Moliets.
• Vieux-Boucau - The wide, open beach is divided by the river mouth of the lake. Here, you’ll find not only good waves, but also spots with fewer crowds. Especially in early summer, there are great swells that bring waves for every surf level to the beach breaks. 

• St. Girons - South of Moliets lies St. Girons, a quiet and sleepy little village where you can enjoy your holiday perfectly. Thanks to the well-shaped sandbanks, a surf holiday at the surfcamp is especially worthwhile. Smaller waves usually break at the beach, making them ideal for beginners. In St. Girons, we offer a youth surfcamp for kids aged 13–17, as well as the separate family surfcamp St. Girons. On the youth trip, we have trained youth travel leaders and 24-hour supervision for your kids. Among other options, your children can stay in our double igloo tents, comfort tents or Sheddies.

• Hossegor - Not far from Moliets and St. Girons lies Hossegor - France’s surf mecca. At least, this is where most surf companies have settled over the years – and with them, plenty of surfers. Alongside countless shopping opportunities, you’ll also find some of the best waves in Europe. Just off Hossegor lies a long deep-sea canyon that can push a huge amount of swell power from the Atlantic through the Bay of Biscay all the way to the sandbanks in front of the town. As a result, the waves here are usually bigger, especially at the spots La Gravière and La Nord. Only pros should enter the water here, as the current is extremely strong and has already kept more than one surfer from making it back to the beach. You’ll find the perfect accommodation in this surfer’s paradise at Surfcamp Seignosse.
• Le Penon - This beach break is the northernmost spot in Hossegor. It works at all tides – less so at high tide – and there are good sandbanks around the jetty.
• Les Estagnots - Les Estagnots near Seignosse is popular with travellers not only because of its easy access and large car park with surf bar and restaurant. Waves break reliably here and there are many peaks. At low tide, beautiful long waves break, and the beach break is ideal for learning to surf. There are perfect conditions for every surf level, and Surfcamp Seignosse is just a few metres away.

• La Gravière - La Gravière is one of the best beach breaks in the region and breaks very close to the shore. The spot works best from low to mid tide and has several peaks. When the waves are big, the spot can become challenging.
• Les Culs Nus - Les Culs Nus is the link between the regular beach breaks in the north and the heavy waves of La Gravière. It is often overshadowed by its big brother La Gravière. The spot works best with northwest swell, easterly wind and mid to high tide. When the conditions line up, you can ride fast, fun waves here that can sometimes get hollow.
• La Nord - La Nord is the most famous break in Hossegor and, with certain swells, can produce seriously heavy waves reserved for locals and experienced surfers.
• La Sud - La Sud is the southernmost beach in Hossegor. It’s a super fun wave that is perfect for beginners and intermediate surfers. The beach break works at all tides – except high tide – and offers protection from west wind.

• Capbreton - Capbreton can produce both barrels and gentle waves for surf beginners. South of the Hossegor river mouth, there are several peaks here with nice waves for every surf level. When Hossegor gets too big, the waves between the jetties of Capbreton often have the perfect size for intermediate surfers.
• Les Cavaliers - Les Cavaliers is one of the most popular beach breaks around Biarritz. A perfect A-frame can form here, attracting plenty of surfers and delivering lots of fun. The spot works at all tides – except high tide – and is best with northwest swell and easterly wind.
• La Madrague - With small swells, the beach break La Madrague offers good conditions for learning to surf. The spot lies between jetties, so sandbank quality can be rather unpredictable. The beach break works from low tide to mid tide and is best with easterly wind.

• Grande Plage, Biarritz - Thanks to its somewhat sheltered location and often gentle waves, Grande Plage in Biarritz is excellent for learning to surf. At all tides, you can find good waves with east-southeast wind. Thanks to the rocks in the water, good sandbanks form here, the city backdrop offers a beautiful panorama, and after surfing there’s plenty going on along the promenade.
• Côte des Basques - Côte des Basques is a great surf spot for learning to ride waves. The waves break more gently than at many other spots, and the atmosphere in the water is usually relaxed. Southeast or east wind is offshore, and the beach break works best from low to mid tide.
• Lafitenia - Lafitenia is a perfectly breaking right-hand point break! The wave breaks over a shallow reef and works best with a bigger swell in autumn and winter. The point break works from low to mid tide, southerly winds are offshore, and when conditions are perfect, this highly sought-after wave gets really crowded.