Hossegor exudes a unique atmosphere that sets it apart from its more dreamy neighboring towns. It is at once sporty, youthful, casual, almost Californian, yet also marked by a slightly bourgeois elegance with a huge dose of French savoir-vivre.
Of course, Hossegor is primarily known as the European capital of surfing. Surfers from all over the world - from beginners to professionals - are out at the 6 different fine sandy beaches at any time of year and day, trying to tame the perfect wave. Several times a year, competitions with international participants take place. Some former champions have settled here and now run their own surf schools.
However, Hossegor has also always been a magnet for many wealthy French people from Paris, who cultivate their summer freshness in stylish villas under the pine trees. Some French celebrities, such as the singer Francis Cabrel, own a holiday home in the noble area between the lake and the sea.
The typical Basque-Landes architecture with its colorful half-timbering shapes the charming town. Let yourself be enchanted by the many small boutiques, nice cafes, and good restaurants! Throughout the year, the juiciest fruits and crispest vegetables from the region are offered at the market, which takes place three times a week, and in the market hall, naturally alongside freshly caught fish and seafood.
To the rhythm of the tides, the Hossegor lake, a lagoon with four monitored beaches of the finest sand surrounded by well-maintained parks, fills and empties. Here, little children splash in the shade of the pines and stand-up paddlers make their rounds, while gourmets celebrate the sunset with oysters from the lake's own cultivation and a glass of Jurançon sec. Recharge your soul with a walk or a morning Nordic walking tour around the lake.
Like its neighboring towns, Hossegor is surrounded by extensive pine forests with many paths for hiking, cycling, and horseback riding. In addition, many sports are possible here: For example, golf on the renowned 18-hole course, tennis, water skiing, kite surfing, and many more.
Biarritz is only about a 40-minute drive from Hossegor. For a day trip, the nearby Pyrenees or the picturesque Basque Country to the south are recommended. The vibrant San Sebastian is also within an hour's drive. To the north, the Dune du Pilat, the highest sand dune in Europe at 114 meters, as well as the Bassin d’Arcachon with its famous oyster farms, are worth seeing.
By car: A63 motorway, Capbreton exit
By train: TGV, Bayonne / Dax station
By plane: Biarritz Airport