What is Hossegor like?

Nestled in the Southwest corner of one of Frances most prized and untouched coastlines, lies a special place known by surfers all around the world. Its a place where golden sandy beaches stretch as far as the eye can see and where endless maritime pine forests meet the immensity of the Atlantic Ocean. A two hours drive north and you are in Bordeaux wine region, and an hours drive south and you are in Spanish Basque country.

If you’ve been an avid follower the World Surf League, you would probably need no introduction to the quintessential surf town that is Hossegor. But for everyone else we are going to do our best to explain this small seaside town and why its even referred as being the jewel of the French Atlantic Coast.

Hossegor itself is a chic seaside village known for its elegant basque/landaise style villas nestling under the pines, marine lake, boutiques, cafes, bars, and restaurants. In the summer months it becomes a popular holiday destination with many people coming to enjoy the pristine beaches, breezy lifestyle and long summer nights. But theres truly one thing that sets Hossegor apart from all the other coastal towns; the surf.

Hossegor is known as surfing mecca worldwide and not for no good reason. Off the coast lies a deep underwater canyon known as the Gouf de Capbreton. The canyon essentially magnifies any incoming swell into one fixed point creating world class waves on Hossegor’s sturdy sand banks. Similar effects of bathymetry (fancy name for underwater geography) can found at waves such as Nazaré, and Puerto Escondido. To read more about this amazing feat of mother nature click here.

Combine this deeply rooted surf culture with a bit of French cool, and you have the perfect recipe for Hossegors sought after lifestyle. This is inherently is why people come from far and wide to be here, giving Hossegor an international vibe that can be compared to similar places like Byron Bay (Australia), and California.

The industrial zone located in Hossegor is booming with up and coming surf/lifestyle brands, and is also where you will find the headquarters for most of the big surfing brands. The ‘zone’ as its affectionately called, has now become a popular hangout for locals and visitors, not just for shopping but for local brewed coffee, healthy cafes, and any number of occasions/live events.

When people talk about Hossegor, you may also hear them mention the towns of Seignosse and Capbreton. Looking at the map you can see theres not much dividing the trio of towns, and you will often hear them all umbrellaed under the same name of Hossegor. Capbreton is more populated than the other 2 towns, and also offers more protected surf spots when the swell turns big. Seignosse is much more tranquil and in the nature, stretching north into the forests above Hossegor.

The best way to get around is the trusty velo. Theres cycle paths connecting the entire area, the terrain is relatively flat, and in the summer, you can wiz past the holidays traffic. The maritime lake in the centre of Hossegor is also a must. Theres numerous seafood restaurants with good cheap french wine, plus a nice walking path around the perimeter. The Capbreton Marina is also another hot spot for seafood restaurants, our favorite being Chez Minus. Theres also a great fish market open every morning.

Theres plenty to see and do as you make your way from beaches, to bars, and even the boulodromes (pétanque arenas). But if you ever want to step back from the all the excitement, the Landes forest is accessible from pretty much anywhere and is full of endless walking trails and hikes. So there you have it, a birds eye view of Hossegor; the place where the forests meets the ocean, and many visitors never leave.