Hossegor

It's impossible to miss during a stay in Hossegor! From the kitschy board-shaped key rings sold in the shops to the decoration of the bars and the creatures with hair bleached by the salt water wearing a shark's tooth as a pendant that populate the youth hostels, everything here exudes surf culture. Along with Capbreton and Seignosse, Hossegor is Europe's leading surfing destination, with exceptional spots whose powerful waves with perfect cylinders (the famous beach breaks or sand waves) attract surfers from all over the world.

These exceptional conditions are due to the presence off the coast of the Gouf de Capbreton, an underwater canyon formed over millions of years in the extension of the Pyrenean fault. It is this geological phenomenon that creates the unique swell on the south coast of the Landes, a feature comparable to the Nazaré spot in Portugal, famous for its huge waves.

The best beaches for surfing in Hossegore are La Gravière, La Nord, La Point d'or and the "culs nus" beach, whose evocative nickname is due to the fact that it is frequented by naturists. It's also possible to surf on the Centrale (the beach in the town centre) and the South beach, where the waves are less imposing and ideal for less experienced surfers. The beaches of La Gravière, La Centrale and La Sud are supervised in summer.

If you're looking for an introduction to surfing, you've come to the right place. All along the Hossegore coast, surf schools abound, open from April to October and offering lessons lasting on average between 1h30 and 2 hours and costing between €35 and €40. Lessons are divided between theory sessions on the sand and practice in the water. They also include training on the marine environment (tides, winds, waves, etc.). Wetsuits and boards are generally provided. To make the right choice from among the plethora of surf schools in Hossegor, look out for the "Surf in Landes" label, which guarantees the quality of the services provided. These include Tao Magic Glisse (open from mid-March to the end of November, every day from 10am to 7pm) and Surf Trip school (open from April, May, June, September and October from 10am to 6pm and in July and August from 9am to 7pm).

If you want to live to the rhythm of the waves and devote your holiday in Hossegore entirely to surfing, why not stay in a Surf Lodge. These bohemian-style establishments, located between beaches and dunes, will allow you to fully immerse yourself in the "surfing spirit" of the Landes region, in contact with surfing enthusiasts from all over the world. In Hossegor, you'll find the Koala Surf House, with its light-filled communal rooms, selection of surfboards and friendly wooden terrace where you can share your ocean adventures with friends in the evening.

In Hossegor, the surfing event of the year is the Quiksilver & Roxy Pro, which takes place for a week at the end of September. The best surfers in the world come to compete on the legendary Landes waves. To follow the events, log on to the World Surf League website every day, as places and times are subject to change depending on the waves and the weather. For the duration of the competition, Hossegor will be bustling with activity, and the town centre will be alive with concerts and exhibitions devoted to surfing. An exceptional event not to be missed.

Popular with locals and surf lovers alike, the Pédebert business park is also well worth a visit. Here you'll find factory outlets for a host of surfwear brands and 'shapers' where you can have your board made to measure, as well as designer boutiques, second-hand clothes shops and artists' galleries. And let's not forget the trendy bars and small 'healthy' restaurants, such as Slow Hossegor, a juice bar and vegetarian canteen serving delicious, fresh, colourful, home-cooked food in a relaxed, 'natural' atmosphere in perfect harmony with the spirit of Hossegor.

Teeming with shops, lively bars and excellent restaurants, there's never a dull moment in Hossegor. Dynamic and colourful, there's a surprise around every corner. The resort has been taken over by street artists, who have covered the walls with frescoes that are as inventive as they are surprising. The most emblematic of these is "The Wave", a gigantic breaker painted across the front of a house, a veritable ode to surfing and the ocean, which has become the symbol of the town.

It's also a shopper's paradise. Gourmets with a taste for south-western produce can stock up on ewe's milk cheese, Landes poultry and organic fruit and vegetables in one of the 17 shops at Les Halles d'Hossegor. Fashion addicts will not be left out either, with the resort's many boutiques, each more trendy than the last. In the inspired PopUp Store, for example, you'll find a myriad of jewellery, clothes and other original accessories made by local designers.

A meeting place and an absolute must in Hossegor, the Place des Landais, from which you can access the central beach, is home to a number of bars, restaurants and nightclubs in a lively, friendly atmosphere. It's a great place to meet up after a dip in the sea and enjoy a drink while watching the sumptuous sunset.

If you want to tantalise your taste buds and treat yourself to a gourmet meal with a sublime view of the ocean, head to Le Jean des Sables for cuisine based on local fish products.

Connected to the ocean by a canal and subject to the tide, Lac d'Hossegor's peacefulness offers a soothing alternative to the tumult of the ocean. Lined with beautiful Basque-Landes villas and oyster huts, it boasts 4 beaches ( Plage des Chênes Lièges, Plage Blanche, Plage du Parc and Plage du Rey) ideal for a serene swim without the waves. If you take the 7.4-kilometre foot path around the lake to Capbreton harbour, you can enjoy a lovely stroll among the pine trees and watch the many birds that fly over the peaceful waters.

To enjoy oysters with a glass of white wine, head to La Poupe, a delightful oyster shack by the lake. What more could you ask for: a warm atmosphere, affordable prices and a magnificent setting? La Poupe is open every day from midday to 2pm.