Destination Surf: France

Cobblestone streets, picturesque countrysides and the birthplace of European surfing. France is home to some of the quaintest cafes and a culture that will have your head spinning from balancing your days with surfing and exploring every nook and cranny this country has to offer.

With low pressure systems tracking across the top of England and further north, France gets consistent swell any day of the year. The Atlantic coast will be your new favourite friend while in France as the waves here are top-notch and if you’re looking for a little slower surf pace, venture off to the Mediterranean coast for a few good swells.

Photo Credit: Redbull

Landes, Nouvelle-Aquitaine

Home to a stop of the WSL’s championship tour, Landes is notably one of the best beach breaks in Europe with world-famous barrels. With its endless stretch (over 60 miles to be exact) of sandy beaches, many surfers take to the waves closest to town, but know you can walk for 20-minutes and be highly rewarded.

Lacanau

When NW to SW swells are on point, big wave riders flock here when the waves are high. Lacanau’s sand bank also works really well with medium to small swells, so no worries if you don’t crave big waves!

Photo Credit: Magicseaweed.com

Etretat

Close to Paris, Etretat is suitable for beginners and advanced surfers alike. This consistent mid tide peak favours lefts and is best on SW swells. Explore the waves of Etretat during the week if you can, as it gets crazy crowded on weekends.

La Graviere

When the summer sun hits, this wave is great for all surfers and when the winter winds come in, advanced surfers call this wave home as they know how to correctly take on the hollow lefts and rights. WIth waves crashing a little too close to shore, more boards break here than you can count.

Photo Credit: Errantsurf.com

Les Casernes

Sandbanks as far as the eye can see, Les Casernes is a perfect spot for beginner surfers. The best conditions here are small to medium NW to W swells and offshore E winds.

There is over 300 miles of surfable spots in France, and so if that won’t get you booking a one-way ticket to this baguette, cheese and wine filled country, we don’t know what will.