Biarritz & Anglet · France
Surfing La Grande Plage
A beach break in Biarritz & Anglet, France, for beginner and intermediate surfers.
La Grande Plage is the main beach in Biarritz, in front of the casino and the old seafront hotels. Surfing in France started in Biarritz in the 1950s, and this beach and the Côte des Basques next to it are where it began.
It's a beach break with punchy peaks that works on most swells. The town centre, cafés and hotels are right behind it. It's rarely the best wave on the Basque coast on a given day, but it's easy and central, and surf schools use it all year.
When to surf
La Grande Plage
La Grande Plage is at its best from year-round. Conditions it likes: W swell, E offshore wind (some shelter from S).
October to March: Prime
Big, powerful swell, mild Basque winter
April to June: Good
Reliable swell, milder crowds
July to August: Quiet
Smaller swell, packed beaches, festival crowds
The year across Côte Basque
Waves near La Grande Plage
Getting there
Where to stay: Biarritz has the history, the old hotels, the restaurants and the nightlife, and you can walk to La Grande Plage and the Côte des Basques. Anglet is more local and spread out along the beaches between the jetties, with surf hostels and apartments close to the waves. Bayonne, a few minutes inland, is usually cheaper.
Transport, costs, where to stay and the rest of the waves in the area are in the Biarritz & Anglet guide.
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