Apologies for this old-fashioned web page. We are in the process of updating this section of our website - Justin & Alex
Hossegor Alternative Aquitaine's resort report
Similar to...
For guidance, we think Hossegor is similar to Croyde in the UK but a little bigger than that and with a lot more surf boutiques. Both resorts have fabulous surfing beaches, attracting surfers and families. It is nowhere near as big as Newquay and is a lot more 'upmarket'!
Five
Reasons to Choose Hossegor
1
The
best surf in Europe
2
Vibrant
atmosphere, especially appealing to teenagers
3
Superb
golf courses - 2 in France's Top 15
4
Lac d'Hossegor
offers gentle bathing, ideal for younger ones
5
A good
sprinkling of smart shops, cafés and a casino to enjoy
"Hossegor
is a pleasant seaside resort bordered by the Boudigau Canal, which
separates the town from neighbouring Capbreton. Thanks to the efforts
of successive generations of local architects, writers and painters...this
choice natural site wooded with pines, cork-oak and arbutus has
been carefully developed into a holiday centre complete with parks,
gardens, hotels, a casino and a golf course" Quoted
from "The Green Guide - Atlantic Coast" by Michelin
Travel Publications
Hossegor
- highlights
Hossegor
is a thriving resort on the south west coast of France, the
biggest holiday centre between Biarritz and Arcachon. It is
bordered by fresh pine forest, the Atlantic
Ocean and its endless beach of fine sand,
and a popular salt-water tidal lagoon. All
this with the backdrop of the Pyrénées
on the horizon - it's some setting!
Writers and artists from Biarritz came in the early 1900s,
settling around the Lac d’Hossegor
to establish an idealistic commune where they could be inspired
by the area and each other. It was during the early 1900s
that the first luxury villas were constructed around the golf
course and in the highly prized quartier
between the lagoon and ocean.
Today Hossegor is a prosperous seaside resort, especially
popular with a younger crowd because
of the superb activities on offer, notably surfing (we've found that Hossegor is a successful school-holiday
destination for families with teenagers and, because, of the
lagoon, with younger families in June and September).
Much of the town’s modern success is based on the exceptional
surf - Hossegor is the best known surf spot in Europe
with good reason. The swell is aided by the presence of the
Fosse de Capbreton, an underwater canyon located 2km offshore.
But
there’s much more to Hossegor than just surfing. The
long Lac d’Hossegor which brought the artistic settlers,
lies where the River Ardour once flowed. The warm lake is
bordered by gentle sands, pine forest, and villas in the local
style - this is an excellent spot for younger kids to bathe
as the Hossegor surf can be quite unforgiving.
Hossegor
- Our Personal Favourites
•
A
round of golf followed by an afternoon in the surf - bliss
•
A
lazy afternoon sailing on the lagoon Lac d'Hossegor
•
Bike
rides in the pine forests with the kids
•
Re-visiting
our youth at a sea-front night spot such as Cream Café
Hossegor - Out of Season French resorts tend to be very seasonal and this can often come as a surprise to visitors who are less familiar with France. Owners of seasonal business such as bars and restaurants can often get by simply by operating in two months of the year - July & August - and are happy to shut down the rest of the year.
Hossegor is certainly a seasonal resort, but much less so than it use to be, thanks largely to a thriving surfing scene. The town is throbbing during July & August and also during the Quiksilver Pro Surf event which is late September every year. Outside these periods it's relatively quiet, but there is a healthy resident population ensuring the town stays 'open' all-year-round. Plus, if you just want to enjoy the surf, or play golf, Hossegor is a good option.
Find out more in our Hossegor tourist information guide.
Topics covered include beaches, activities such as golf and
surfing, kids' attractions, restaurants, cultural attractions
and more...
