Where to surf and what to do in Southwest France

Everyone seems to get back to their normal lives when you still want to enjoy the summer? September is here and luckily we have the perfect destination for you. Start planning your 2018 Southwest France getaway now.

Hossegor, the Home of the WSL Quiksilver Pro France would be the perfect place to set up for the endless Summer. Perfect swells, not too crowded as French holidays just ended but still with cool gigs and great food to enjoy. You will find everything you need from Biarritz to Seignosse! Either you are more of an Airbnb aficionado or if you’d rather sleep in your van it’s going to be a great month for you.

Southwest France Surf Spots

Surfing options are endless here! You will find perfect point breaks in the Basque country and the best beach breaks in the world from Capbreton to Seignosse. Of course, make sure to respect the locals who have been waiting a year for this perfect surf in the autumn months.

Anglet, Les Cavaliers

You’ll find this spot just north of Biarritz. This Basque beach break is protected from northern winds and perfect to surf left or right even on large swells. It can get epic tubes that will match the ones from Les Lande region so it is a pretty popular spot but watch out for the crowd. There’s an easy channel to paddle out beside the jetty that will take you to the peak.

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Guethary, Parlementia

A great pointbreak between Bidart and Guéthary that works on both high and low tide and can withstand big swells. The perfect wave for larger boards with a pretty flat and large face where you will enjoy carving. Make sure to paddle out from the harbor which will save you some hassle, especially at low tide.

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Saint Jean de Luz, Erromardie

The bay before Lafitenia is offering long lefts across the central break. Make sure to go on mid tide to enjoy a nice longboard session with some friends.

It won’t be as crowded as the bay up north (Lafitenia) where the guys from Quiksliver Europe Headquarters go for a surf.  You will also find a right to the North East that will produce barrels and drops if you are up to the challenge of surfing this close to the rocks at high tide.

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Capbreton, La Piste

With vestiges form the past world wars all over this beach and perfect sand banks to produce world class tubes it is probably one of the most popular break of the area after Hossegor. There’s even a fallback break (Santocha) up north next to the jetty when the swells are too big or messy.

La Piste works perfectly from low to mid tide with usually some strong currents. It can be pretty crowded so go in with a smile and respect everyone in the water and you should get some cool tubes.

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Hossegor, La Gravière

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Home spot of the Quiksilver Pro France. This is probably the French break that made most views on youtube. This legendary tube spot just north of la Central of Hossegor will produce heavy and thick lips to tube. La Gravière is strongly affected by tides and swell sizes.

Big swell come with very strong currents and only towed in surfers will be able to keep up with the placement needed to score. On medium swell and with the perfect condition you will be fighting with a huge crowed to catch perfect barrels but it’s worth it!

Seignosse, Les Estagnots

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Up north in Seignosse this one is probably the best break to surf at. With a fast and hollow inside bank at high tide and a long lefts and right at low and mid tides it surely handle bigger swells than all the other breaks north of there. With that said it is also probably the most crowded spots of Seignosse so make sure to get your sunrise session on so you can enjoy surfing alone!

Rad Events in Southwest France

Even though it is back to school time here in France you can still fill in your evenings and weekend with some cool events.

Latin Hossegor

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Latin Hossegor is a 3 day festival of Latin beats takes place on the first weekend of September.

Globe Back to School BBQ session

If you are lucky enough Globe European headquarters will hold a small BBQ gathering in their private mini ramp at 14 Avenue de Laubian, in Seignosse. Perfect time to shred the mini ramp and enjoy some burgers with friends!

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Mot & Arts

For a bikes, beers and beard weekend, head up to the Mot & Arts Festival in the heart of Hossegor, an event organized by hapchotwheels.com. You will enjoy checking custom bikes, cars and listening to good music in Hossegor city center. There’s event a cool sand race organized next to La Nord surf spot.

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Biarritz Rat’s Cup

Mid September you will find a cool Surf and Music festival in the heart of Biarritz. An outdoor event where you will have another opportunity to shred the mini ramp. Ride great waves on La Côte des Basques and enjoy rad bands and DJs for the weekend.

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Wander Landes Festival

Enjoy great music and surf sessions at Wander Landes Festival takes place at the end of September for 4 days. An event created by a band of four local boys, Sunset Sons that took place for the first time in 2017.

Popping up at a selection of different hotspots throughout Seignosse the festival will invite special guests each year both on the water and on stage. A great gig to finish September in the southwest of France.

Things to do in Southwest France

Finally you will enjoy the surf culture lifestyle all around the area with shops and great southwestern food.

Hossegor City Center

The tide is too high? Swell is too big or too small? Head up to Hossegor city center where you will find a bunch of shops and restaurant to enjoy. Try the Brunch at Meg’s café it is the best!

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Biarritz Lifestyle

Go enjoy a nice glass of wine and sunset at Etxola Bibi and grab a home made burger at CAB (not far away). Biarritz is full of places like that to enjoy the city from dusk to down. You can surf in between all that in La Central or on La côte des Basque. For for all of you party animals it is the perfect place to surf and party.

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Le Surfing, Les Estagnots

After a sunset session at Les Estagnots in Seignosse, head up to Le Surfing the perfect spot to grab a bite and a beer. Sunday is brunch and all you can eat BBQ in the evening. You’ll even be lucky to listen to some talented music bands now and then.

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Zone de Pedebert (Soort Hossegor)

Looking for some shopping time ? Or just want to rent a good board ? Head out to Soort-Hossegor toward Zone de Pedebert to find all the outlet stores from your favorite surfing brands. Perfect on flat or rainy days you also can enjoy a mini ramp or the indoor bowl at the DC shop.

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Video and Featured image credit: Quiksilver

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