Best beginner surf beaches in France

Deciding on where to go can take a lot of research but a surf holiday France should be top of your list. It has the best beginner surf beaches in France due to its miles upon miles of coastline that provides some of the most consistent surf across Europe. Surfing in France has always been focused on the heaving top to bottom barrels that are produced when solid swell hits the groomed sandbanks the south-west towns of La Graviere and La Nord.

But there is much more to surfing in France than heavy barrels and shore-breaks, the country is littered with great beginner waves for most of the year, with summer and early autumn the best time to head on a surf camp in France. Come for the waves, the long beaches, the weather and delicious food!

 

1. Plage Sud, Hossegor


Town: Hossegor
Where: Landes, Aquitaine, SW France
The Area: Hossegor is one of our top choices to be one of the best beginner surf beaches in France as it is one of the best European surf locations and is a beautiful melting pot of that lifestyle. The area has a thriving night life during the warmer months and delicious local cuisine.
Beach: Beginner friendly golden sand beach backed by dunes.
Type: Beach break peaks that produce left and right walls that break over sandbars.
Best Time: Summer and autumn
Weather: Summer sees day time temperatures of 27°c and water temperatures of 21°c. Winter sees temperatures in the water drop to roughly 13-14°c and air temperatures between 6-14°c. A spring suit or a summer full suit is more than enough in the summer months and on particularly hot days you can wear boardies. A 4/3 will be perfect for the autumnal months. 

Our recommended place to stay and surf Plage Sud: Wood 'n' Sea Surf Lodge

 

2. Plage Central, Capbreton


Town: Capbreton
Where: Landes, Aquitaine, SW France
The Area: A popular area for sailors, swimmers, surfers and beach lovers. It has a lively town that has the amenities that anyone on a France surf camp could need.
Beach: One of the most beautiful beginner surf beaches in France, known for its WW2 bunkers that are on the sand.
Type: Long expanse of beach that has a variety of peaks to suit all abilities. La Piste and VVF are known for producing punchier rides with hollower sections.
Best Time: Summer and autumn
Weather: Summer sees day time temperatures of 27°c and water temperatures of 21°c. Winter sees temperatures in the water drop to roughly 13-14°c and air temperatures between 6-14°c. A spring suit or a summer full suit is more than enough in the summer and on particularly hot days you can wear boardies. A 4/3 will be perfect for the autumnal months.

Our recommended place to stay and surf Plage Central: Shifting Sands Surf Camp

3. Cote Des Basques, Biarritz


Town: Biarritz
Where: French Basque Country, SW France
The Area: An elegant seaside town that is home to fabulous holiday homes of Frances wealthiest residents. Beautiful homes and delicious eateries are found along the rugged coastline.
Beach: A beautiful French beach that is loved by tourists and locals alike. Golden sands that are framed by impressive cliff faces and palatial homes.
Type: Left and right peaks that wall up slowly, before running across inside sandbanks. The rock formations at the south end of the beach help groom the banks and block S-SW winds.
Best Time: Summer and autumn
Weather: Heats up to 31°c in the summer months and with sea temperatures of 21-22°c, a spring suit or boardie’s with a wetsuit top are the go here. The autumn months can still be pleasantly warm so it’s best to pack a good 3/2 and a pair of booties for the chillier mornings.  

Our recommended place to stay and surf Cote Des Basques: Oasis Apartment or Nami House

4. Moliets, Landes


Town: Moliets
Where: Landes, Aquitaine, SW France
The Area: Quiet seaside area that is home to a beautiful beach, quaint shops and many cycle paths so you can explore the area stress free.
Beach: Beautiful golden sand beach, framed by sand dunes, with a river that runs through the middle.
Type: The river helps shape the sand banks into beautifully shaped left and right walls that are best surfed on a low to mid tide.
Best Time: Summer and autumn.
Weather: Gorgeous summer weather allows you to wear a spring suit and top up your tan, with day time temperatures of 27°c and the sea temperature topping out at 21°c. Autumn sees the water drop to 16-17°c and weather ranging from 12°c to 25°c.

 

Our recommended place to stay and surf Moliets: Dreamsea Surf Camp - Moliets Plage

5. La Torche, Brittany

Town: Plomeur
Where: Finistère, Brittany, France.
The Area: La Torche is found at the southern end of the wild Bay of Audierne, in south-west Finistère, and has signs of communities here dating back into prehistoric times. La Torche is wild and beautiful, both at the same time, which makes this area particularly appealing for surfers.
Beach: White sand beach that looks like a Caribbean post card, considered the quintessential French beach experience, with all types of water craft heading here.
Type: One of the most consistent beginner surf beaches in France with a wide variety of waves littered up and down the beach, from punchy right bowls to long walling lefts that are best surfed on a mini-mal or longboard. For a peak to yourself on your surf holiday to France head to the northern end of the beach.
Best Time: Best visited during summer and autumn for the best experience.
Weather: The climate is similar to the SW of the UK, so a 3/2, as well as a spring suit, are best for the hot days during the summer months. The autumn months see’s the use of a 4/3 on the chillier dawn surfs, which are a must for any surfer visiting the area.  



Photo by: Hotel Marbella
Photo by: Wood’n Sea Surf Lodge
Photo by: Secret Spot Lodge  
Photo by: Star Surf Camps – Moliets Plage  
Photo by: Pierre Guezingar