Surf's Up

If you, or your offspring, are passionate about surf culture, France is the perfect location – home to some of Europe’s top surfing destinations, as Lucy Parford finds out

- Lucy Parford

When your weekends, evenings and early mornings revolve around catching the best waves and meeting up with others who are equally committed to surfing, being near a dream stretch of beaches is a must.

While Britain may have Newquay and Woolacombe, France is also blessed with miles of Atlantic coastline which is ideal for surfing. If you want to experience being a surfeur in France, pack up your board and wetsuit and head to one of these surfers’ paradises across the Channel.

NOUVELLE-AQUITAINE

By far the most popular destination for experiencing a surfing lifestyle and learning the sport as a beginner is the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region, in the southwest of France, which has some of the greatest waves in Europe.

Biarritz in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques department is the country’s surfing capital and has great spots for surfing all year round, including its sweeping Grande Plage beach, as well as the slightly less busy Plage du Miramar at the foot of the Hôtel du Palais.

Jo Moraiz Surf School, on the Plage de la Côte des Basques, is the oldest in France and has been operating here since 1966.

Biarritz is a stylish beach resort with the benefit of its own airport which has seasonal flights to Bristol, as well as all year round to London Stansted with Ryanair, and is brimming with Basque culture.

Along this stretch of coast in French Basque Country, you’ll find a unique version of tapas, called pintxos, served in bars and restaurants as well as the famous Jambon de Bayonne (cured ham) and rich Gâteau Basque.

In April every year, Biarritz hosts the Biarritz Quiksilver Maïder Arosteguy when around 250 surfers compete in the three-day surfing competition.