Top 10 surf spots in France

Windbeaten facing Audierne Bay, the Pointe de la Torche headland in Plomeur is one of the most famous spots in Brittany.

Lined with dunes, the long beaches of Pors Carn to the south and Torche and Tronoën to the north offer several regular beach breaks and long waves for beginners and experienced surfers.

At the western end of the Cornouaille Coast, Pointe du Raz is a spectacular site, where craggy cliffs rub shoulders with dizzying granite chasms.

In this wild landscape, you find the Baie des Trépassés, an extremely versatile spot with its moderate swell combined with hollow and powerful waves.

Seasoned surfers, this spot on the Côte Sauvage is made for you! West of the Quiberon Peninsula, enjoy Port Blanc’s long regular swell or, further south,

short waves that create breaking rollers on Port Bara beach. All in a superb natural setting combining cliffs, dunes and rock-studded coves.

With its sandbanks exposed to the wind all year long, the Grande Plage of Saint-Trojan-les-Bains on the island of Oléron is perfect for surfing your first waves or perfecting your technique.

This accessible and reassuring spot works well with small swells.

Pines, dunes, a long ribbon of fine sand, waves for surfers of all kinds, and more. 50 km from Bordeaux, the beaches of Lacanau-Océan are a real asset.

During the large winter swells, the powerful hollow waves attract experienced surfers. In summer, families take over, spending their time learning to surf and relaxing on the beach.

Thrills and spills are guaranteed in Hossegor! In the Landes region, this spot reserved for seasoned surfers offers an impressive beach break with waves that can reach up to three to four meters.

Be mindful of the power of the ocean: the strong currents and lack of depth are formidable here, especially in winter, when there is no shortage of tubes.

In the Basque Country, head to Biarritz, the legendary spot where the surfing adventure began in France and Europe, and where international competitions attract surf fans from all over the world.

At the foot of Villa Belza, the Basque Coast’s beach break provides long, regular waves, which are particularly popular with longboarders. To the south of the beach, the waves are more powerful and tubular. Watch out for the rising tide: the beach quickly disappears and getting out of the water can become difficult.

At the foot of Biarritz Lighthouse, this long beach in the south of Anglet guarantees great surf sessions in a breathtaking setting. It makes the perfect destination for intermediate surfers.

With lifeguards in season and sheltered from the wind by the cliffs of Saint-Martin headland, the spot at La Petite Chambre d’Amour offers powerful waves breaking to both the left and right. However, watch out for the rocks that only appear at low tide.

Nestled in a vast inlet surrounded by cliffs and maritime pines, Erretegia’s beach break in Bidart boasts an appealing raw and unspoiled side.

In summer, at low tide and half-tide, you can surf there as a family, enjoying its beautifully sized yet relatively gentle waves. Another plus is the green hills overlooking the beach for a picnic with a view.