{"id":361699,"date":"2025-08-21T09:17:12","date_gmt":"2025-08-21T09:17:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/361699\/"},"modified":"2025-08-21T09:17:12","modified_gmt":"2025-08-21T09:17:12","slug":"surfing-in-france-from-biarritz-to-basque-magic","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/361699\/","title":{"rendered":"Surfing in France from Biarritz to Basque Magic"},"content":{"rendered":"

France<\/strong> boasts some of the most spectacular surf shores<\/strong> in Europe. Where the wild Atlantic crashes into rich Basque tradition. A region of seasonal flavors, and a lifestyle bathed in that glorious golden light. Surfing in France goes way back to 1956 on the C\u00f4te des Basques<\/strong>. That same year in August, filmmakers Peter Viertel and Dick Zanuck arrived to shoot the film adaptation of Ernest Hemingway\u2019s The Sun Also Rises<\/strong>, making the location even more popular. A few years later, in 1959, Jacky Rott and friends founded the country\u2019s first surf club<\/strong>, the Waikiki Surf Club. Soon the French Surfing Federation<\/strong> was founded in 1964. Today, surfing in France is not just a surviving sport but a thriving way of life. We spoke with some women who are riding its waves in their own unique ways, revealing how it is now.<\/p>\n

Biarritz<\/strong> is the beating heart of it all. Jana-Christina, a Paris-based executive producer, has traveled far and wide for surfing\u2014Bali in Indonesia, Siargao in the Philippines\u2014and she\u2019s constantly inspired by the nature it offers and the people she meets along the way. But she can\u2019t deny that it was Biarritz that shaped much of how she sees the world and, more importantly, where she found a way back to herself. \u201cBiarritz, always,\u201d she says with fondness. \u201cIt\u2019s where I fell back in love with the ocean. During that famous lockdown, the town was quiet and raw, and we surfed every day. It felt like we had the coastline to ourselves. It\u2019s a memory that still grounds me and holds a special place in my heart\u201d she added.\u00a0The Atlantic<\/strong>, the cliffs<\/strong>, the slow pace<\/strong> have seeped not only into her mindset but also into her easygoing style. Surfing taught her to travel light, she tells us, which translated into adopting a more minimalistic life<\/strong> and wardrobe. <\/p>\n

Aless, a PR professional based in Paris, makes it a point to escape to the coast<\/strong> whenever she can. Her favorite spots are the Basque Country<\/strong> and the southwest<\/strong> of France. \u201cI love the waves in Biarritz, Anglet, Guethary<\/strong> and the entire area. I\u2019ve had some of the most amazing surf experiences there. The waves are amazing, the coastline is beautiful and the level of surfing is inspiring. I love seeing Biarritz from the water when surfing Grand Plage, or the beautiful rolling hills and wild coastlines of other spots in the area. This region also has such a great variety of surf spots for all levels, experiences and tastes<\/strong> whether you\u2019re after mellow longboard waves or more thrilling reef breaks and epic barrels. It\u2019s also pretty unique that you have surf spots in the city but that you can also drive 20-30 minutes and then you\u2019re out on a wild coastline.”\u00a0Aless is sure there\u2019s a certain something mixed through all of it: \u201cIt\u2019s hard to really capture in words what makes this area so special, but I honestly believe there\u2019s some kind of magic there. I\u2019ve fallen pretty deeply in love with Basque culture and the cuisine of the region. They have a connection to the sea<\/strong> that goes deep and underpins their relationship with surfing.\u201d<\/p>\n

Timing<\/strong>, of course, matters in the world of surfing. While summer in these coastal towns is vibrant and the time when surf schools open their doors, the beaches fill with new faces, and the vibe is perfect for beginners<\/strong>, both women conclude: autumn<\/strong> in France is the secret surf season. \u201cThe water is still warm, the tourists leave, and the waves are usually consistent,\u201d Jana-Christina says. Aless echoes the tip: \u201cSpring and autumn are my seasons. The swells are good, the weather is milder, and there tend to be fewer tourists<\/strong>.\u201d For those chasing quieter lineups and more consistent swells, the transition periods are unbeatable. In the fall, you\u2019ll also find a wave of gatherings and community-driven events<\/strong> along its coast. One of them is hosted by Bonbon<\/strong>, a Biarritz-based collective founded by Michelle Planting and Francesca Zilliacus. Focused on women, food, wellness, and joy, Bonbon organizes surf retreats<\/strong> and events during the calmer shoulder season. Their upcoming retreat, running from September 23 to 28, brings together surf lessons for beginners and intermediates, guided sessions, yoga, shared meals, and plenty of time to slow down. This edition also features chef Chloe Walsh<\/a> known for her seasonal cooking inspired by California and Europe.\u00a0<\/p>\n

As for advice<\/strong> to those planning on surfing in France? Aless and Jana-Christina share: come as you are, but come with respect<\/strong>. Respect the land. Respect the locals. Respect the lineup. \u201cOverall I\u2019ve found the local surf community super kind and welcoming<\/strong> at every place I\u2019ve been to so far, thankfully I haven\u2019t experienced any scary localism or felt unwelcome. I think the fact that surfers in France are incredibly competent and of a high performance level makes things more organized<\/strong> for sure. But while people are welcoming you need to be respectful and observe proper etiquette, I can\u2019t stress how important being respectful of surf etiquette is to staying safe<\/strong> and enjoying surfing anywhere in the world. I think the French surfing community is one of the most knowledgeable, coolest, and welcoming in the world,\u201d says Aless. Jana-Christina also adds, \u201cHonestly, it\u2019s in the little things<\/strong> such as choosing a board that feels right, taking a moment before paddling out, finding joy in surf rituals, especially in the early morning. Another thing: Respect is key\u2014of the ocean, of locals, and of the pace here. You don\u2019t need to shout to be seen. There\u2019s a beautiful balance of calm and power<\/strong>, so rather take your time than rush.\u201d<\/p>\n

In the end, surfing in France is a way to be. Jana-Christina says it\u2019s very personal<\/strong> for her. \u201cWaves are never the same, and how you move on them really reflects how you\u2019re feeling. It\u2019s like dancing with the ocean<\/strong>. Some days it\u2019s soft, some days it\u2019s wild\u2014or just not good! It\u2019s never the same ride. That\u2019s what I love about it\u2014you never get enough! For me, surfing and life in France have taught me that beauty lives in the moment. And, you know what, nothing good ever comes from rushing.\u201d For Aless, it\u2019s not just a personal love but something she shares deeply with her husband. \u201cFor my husband and me, surfing is what brought us together, and we wouldn\u2019t be married if it wasn\u2019t for our passion for the ocean,\u201d she says. \u201cEvery big change and shift in our lives has been preceded by a surf trip. Life, as I see it, will always be viewed through the lens of \u2018You, Me, and the Sea.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n