Top 10 Places To Surf And Stay In France - Updated 2024

Patricia
Patricia  
Updated
| 4 min read

Known foremost for its culture, art, and food, France is a destination that’s on almost everyone’s bucket list, and it has so much more to offer. Those who enjoy water sports will be glad to know that this gorgeous country also has some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. If you’re an avid surfer (or just curious about the sport), it’s a great place to catch some waves.

With surf spots such as Les Estagnots, Côte des Basques, Les Bourdaines, and Biarritz, there is no shortage of fun for surfers visiting the country. For a convenient surfing trip, scroll down for our list of the top places to surf and stay in France.

We handpicked these listings carefully, considering (wherever possible) Superhost status, recent guest reviews, accommodation type, prices, availability of dates, decor, and location with easy access to surfing spots. The image galleries get refreshed with the latest updates regularly. They were last updated on April 13, 2024.

1. Uhaina; Seignosse (from USD 175)

Uhaina is a gorgeous place that lets in plenty of natural light and air. You can easily take in the ocean breeze while staying here, as it’s located about a three-minute walk away from the beautiful Les Estagnots beach, which is known for its surfing and gliding spots. There are biking paths nearby as well, and both bike and surfboard rentals are found on site.

Aside from the beach, you can also walk to the nearby shopping center, bakery, and many shops and restaurants in the area. And should you be interested in golfing, the Golf de Seignosse course is only 4 km (2.5 mi) away.

Stayed at this property?
Seignosse, Aquitaine-Limousin-Poitou-Charentes, France
93 reviews   Superhost Wifi Available
ENTIRE RENTAL UNIT 4 Beds 4 Guests 2 Bedrooms 1 Bathroom

Accommodates: 4

Top guest reviews
Amenities & Room:
very calm and private our friends stayed in the apartment next door
Cleanliness:
the apartment was clean and comfortable with everything we needed
the apartment was nice and clean communication with carole was good
the apartment is clean very well equipped and two minutes from the beach
fantastic place great location and a very clean modern appartment
the space was clean the beds were comfy and we couldn’t have asked for better hosts
Host:
carole is an excellent host
carole was very helpful and attentive
carole and stephane are wonderful hosts
wonderful hosts friendly and attentive if ever you have questions or want recommendations
carole and stephen were helpful and responsive
Location:
great location 2min walk from the beach would definitely recommend
amazing location peaceful place outstanding breaks great flats
very close to the beach and a sunny spot
lovely location nice and quite loved the area would definitely stay again
the space itself was great very well decorated and situated a 2 minute walk to the beach
Read more reviews

2. Bright villa with beautiful ocean views; Clohars-Carnoët (from USD 320)

Bright and airy, this beautiful villa is a peaceful retreat with wide open spaces all around. Located in a quiet and accessible area, the rental is surrounded by the best of nature, with the property facing the clear ocean. Take a dip in the heated pool, and have a relaxing dinner in the outdoor dining area afterward.

You can take surf lessons at the nearby Kerou Beach or you can go kayaking on the River Laïta.

Stayed at this property?
Clohars-Carnoët, Brittany, France
16 reviews   Wifi Available
Entire villa 10 Beds 14 Guests 5 Bedrooms 3 Bathrooms

Accommodates: 14

3. Sleek, cozy villa along the coast; Fréhel (from USD 197)

This villa is ideally located along the Brittany coast and offers gorgeous views of the water. The interior is sleek but cozy, and you’ll feel right at home. Take your dinner out on the terrace while you watch the sunset.

Also called “Paradis des Sports,” Côtes-d'Armor, where the villa is located, is known for being a great place for sports such as surfing. The beach is about five minutes away from the property via the pedestrian path. There are also golf courses, tennis courts, and riding stables nearby if you want to add variety to your vacation.

Stayed at this property?
Fréhel, Bretagne, France
48 reviews   Superhost Wifi Available
Entire villa 4 Beds 6 Guests 3 Bedrooms 2 Bathrooms

Accommodates: 6

Top guest reviews
Amenities & Room:
the view and the natural light from the living room are great even in mid-season
the house is very modern yet cozy with great attention to detail and high quality furnishings
Cleanliness:
very clean and extremely well equipped
the house was spot clean and the check-in / out flawless
Host:
cecile is a super host fast and kind replies all the time
Location:
the location very close to the beach is ideal
only a few minutes walk to a wonderful beach
perfect location for 4 adults and two kids
the house is well equiped and the location by the sea is fantastic
it’s a wonderful family holiday home very close to a wide sandy beach and beautiful cliff walks
Read more reviews

4. Modern studio close to the beach and market; Biarritz (from USD 54)

Nestled in a quiet street, this studio boasts a cozy but modern interior. This place is perfect for couples looking to explore the seaside destination of Biarritz. The nearby Halles de Biarritz is open every day and is a great spot to get your groceries. There are also countless restaurants and bars near the property.

The best part of this apartment is its proximity to beaches. It’s between Port-Vieux beach, which is perfect for swimming, and Côte des Basques, which is known as the area’s prime surfing spot.

Tip from Content Creator

Biarritz Biarritz Biarritz

Biarritz is a perfect place for anyone looking to try surfing for the first time or advance their skills. The season is great all year round; however, to avoid the crowd, going between March and May and August and October is recommended.

Stayed at this property?
Biarritz, Nouvelle-Aquitaine, France
68 reviews   Superhost Wifi Available
ENTIRE RENTAL UNIT 1 Bed 2 Guests 1 Bathroom

Accommodates: 2

Top guest reviews
Cleanliness:
super clean well equipped and in the center
the apartment itself was super clean and was in the perfect location very quiet with the windows closed
beautiful and clean small studio right in the centre of everything great for 1 or 2 people to sleep
Host:
vanessa was a wonderful host
hosts are so lovely they let us check in before and check out later
vanessa is an excellent host
lovely studio great location and communication from the host
Location:
beautiful little spot close to town
we loved how close it was to everything (maximum 5 minute walk to the beaches shopping and restaurants)
it is in a great location and is well equipped
a very nice place near to biarritz top sightseeing attractions
vanessas place was perfect for a couple in the perfect location
Read more reviews

5. La Voile Blanche; Labenne (from USD 494)

Tastefully decorated with a coastal feel, the La Voile Blanche is perfect for large groups looking for a peaceful but fun holiday. Surrounded by trees but only about 0.3 km (0.2 mi) from the beach, the property is an ideal escape from the bustle of the city.

The villa also offers bicycle rentals to help you explore the nearby forest and paths. It also offers surfboard rentals, perfect for your beach days.

Stayed at this property?
Labenne, Nouvelle-Aquitaine, France
24 reviews   Wifi Available
Entire villa 9 Beds 14 Guests 6 Bedrooms 3 Bathrooms

Accommodates: 14

6. Bright seaside villa with easy beach access; Seignosse (from USD 70)

A great retreat for couples or small families, this villa is a seaside paradise. Welcoming and bright, it has all the necessities for a holiday. The patio and its picnic table offer the perfect spot to relish relaxing mornings.

After having your coffee, you can head over to the nearby Les Bourdaines beach, which is about five minutes away, and catch some waves at the popular surf spot. About ten minutes from the villa are the shops and restaurants, and the area also offers surfboard rentals and surf lessons. You can also rent bicycles to help you get around.

Stayed at this property?
Seignosse, Nouvelle-Aquitaine, France
119 reviews   Superhost Wifi Available
ENTIRE HOME 3 Beds 6 Guests 2 Bedrooms 1 Bathroom

Accommodates: 6

Top guest reviews
Amenities & Room:
we slept well too - it was quiet and the mattresses were comfortable
a great apartment that looks just like the pictures
the kitchen was smartly and fully equipped
beds were very comfortable
Cleanliness:
sparkling clean and beautifully decorated
the house is very well located and exceptionally clean; couldnt ask for more
super clean house and a very responsive host on sms
Host:
anthony & florian are great hosts
anthony and florian are super easy going communicative and very generous hosts
great host communication flexibility and support
florian is a wonderful host and i hope to stay again in the future
our hosts were very quick answering any queries we had and communication was excellent
Location:
location is really great
the location of the house is amazing super close to the beach
like last summer we really enjoyed this place
the house is close to a beautiful beach and close to the centre of hossegor and capbreton
really nice place in a great location
Read more reviews

7. Cozy villa in a quiet area; Lacanau (from USD 263)

You can find this cozy villa on South Beach in Lacanau. While here, you can take a dip in the pool, lounge on the deck while sipping cocktails, or simply soak in the sunset.

This property is about a minute’s walk from Aola Surf School and the beach, where you can engage in the sport, or just chill under the sun.

Stayed at this property?
Lacanau, Nouvelle-Aquitaine, France
65 reviews   Superhost Wifi Available
ENTIRE HOME 7 Beds 9 Guests 5 Bedrooms 3 Bathrooms

Accommodates: 9

Top guest reviews
Amenities & Room:
great size rooms well equipped modern kitchen all mod cons
the living room is light & bright
especially the kids loved to take a dip in the pool after a day at the beach
Cleanliness:
its a warming beautiful and very clean apartment to enjoy your holiday
Host:
arnaud is a great host and responds within short time
arnaud is a fantastic host very responsive
gaby who manages the property was very accommodating and gave us a warm welcome
Location:
location very central easy to walk everywhere
perfect stay and location for a surf trip
lovely house and garden close to the beach
the location itself is great you can reach everything on foot or bike
this place is a true gem
Read more reviews

8. Wabi Surf House; Penmarch (from USD 343)

Luxurious but relaxing, with a gorgeous view of the water, the Wabi Surf House is situated on the Pors Carn beach. The clay tiles on the ground floor add a warm touch to the place, and the open design readily welcomes natural light and air.

It’s in the vicinity of many surf schools, such as the Pors Carn Surf School and 29 Hood Surf Club. It’s also close to many restaurants and shops, as well as golf courses and horse riding clubs.

Stayed at this property?
Penmarch, Bretagne, France
10 reviews   Wifi Available
ENTIRE HOME 5 Beds 8 Guests 5 Bedrooms 2 Bathrooms

Accommodates: 8

Top guest reviews
Location:
fantastic location and the house could not be closer to the beach
Read more reviews

9. Villa Loucean; Fréhel (from USD 184)

Villa Loucean combines modern aesthetics with warm wooden interiors seamlessly, creating an airy but comfortable space. It’s in close proximity to the beach and the view of Cap Frehel from this property is stunning, offering the ideal backdrop for relaxing nights out on the terrace.

It’s perfect for groups, and it has easy access to Anse du Croc beach, a well-known surf spot.

Stayed at this property?
Fréhel, Bretagne, France
32 reviews   Wifi Available
ENTIRE HOME 6 Beds 8 Guests 3 Bedrooms 2 Bathrooms

Accommodates: 8

Top guest reviews
Amenities & Room:
the view is fantastic and one feels very comfortable in the house
Location:
we walked a lot did bike tours and of course enjoyed the beaches
Read more reviews

10. Charming villa on the beach; Sibiril (from USD 444)

Located right on the beach, this charming villa has unobstructed views of the beautiful sea. It’s in a quiet location where you can relax on the terrace while watching the waves.

And should you wish to ride those waves, you absolutely can. The villa has surfboards and suits provided, and you can use bicycles to get around. If you want to take a dip in the water late at night, the property has a heated indoor pool for you to enjoy.

Stayed at this property?
Sibiril, Bretagne, France
56 reviews   Superhost Wifi Available Wheelchair accessible
Entire villa 7 Beds 10 Guests 5 Bedrooms 5 Bathrooms

Accommodates: 10

Top guest reviews
Amenities & Room:
the swimming pool is well heated & provides hours of entertainment
fantastic place heated pool… can’t ask for more
the pool is great and the feeling is incredible as it faces the sea
Host:
the hosts were thoughtful and extremely helpful
sebastien was a great host who was communicative helpful & a pleasure to stay with
Location:
a really beautiful house in a fabulous location on the beach
the house is in a fantastic location
great house and facilities super pool close to beach and restaurant 5*
the house is a fantastic location for a (1 or 2) family holiday
Read more reviews

Embrace the sun, sand, and surf in France

While the major cities with their museums and historic spots are the usual destinations in France, the country has a side to it that caters to those inclined towards the sea. The country’s beaches are not only ideal for soaking up the sun and relaxing, but they also have some of the best surf spots in the world. Expand your French itinerary to include these sites, and enjoy your trip!

Any must-sees we missed? Tell us about them in the comments section or write a post here to help out fellow travelers!
Disclosure: Trip101 selects the listings in our articles independently. Some of the listings in this article contain affiliate links.

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Patricia is a writer and editor proficient in both print and digital formats. Her interests include dance, literature, and travel. She has also contributed to diverse publications on a range of...Read more

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