Hossegor & Capbreton · France
Surfing Notre-Dame
A beach break in Hossegor & Capbreton, France, for beginner surfers.
Notre-Dame is a small beach next to Capbreton harbour, named after the statue of the Virgin that looks over the fishermen.
At low tide it turns into a gentle, slow wave on the sand, which is why it's popular with beginners and kids having their first sessions. Don't expect much here on a big day. On small days it's one of the friendliest places to learn on this stretch of coast.
Summer is the main season for lessons here, with lifeguards and surf schools on the beach. The rest of the year it's quiet. Capbreton's harbour, fish market and restaurants are a two-minute walk away, so it's easy to fit a session around a day in town.
When to surf
Notre-Dame
Notre-Dame is at its best from year-round. Conditions it likes: Small W swell, low tide.
October to March: Prime
Biggest, most powerful groundswell, quieter off-season
April to June: Good
Reliable swell, milder crowds
July to August: Quiet
Smaller swell, packed beaches and high prices
The year across Landes (Hossegor)
Waves near Notre-Dame
La Sud
under 1 kmHossegor & Capbreton · Beach Break · Beginner / Intermediate
L'Estacade
under 1 kmHossegor & Capbreton · Beach Break · Intermediate / Advanced
Le Prévent
under 1 kmHossegor & Capbreton · Beach Break · Beginner / Intermediate / Advanced
Straight-line distances. By road it is usually further.
Getting there
Where to stay: Hossegor puts you closest to La Gravière and La Nord, with apartments, campsites and surf hostels among the pines. Capbreton has the harbour, a livelier choice of restaurants and the beaches around the jetties. Seignosse, just north, is cheaper and quieter. July and August are busy and expensive; in autumn there is plenty of choice.
Transport, costs, where to stay and the rest of the waves in the area are in the Hossegor & Capbreton guide.
Hossegor & Capbreton surf guideSurf it often and something here is wrong? Tell us and we will fix it.