Best surf beaches in France, 2026
25 surf beaches in France that score highest on the OnlyBeaches Index for what matters to surf travellers.How we rank →
1OBI 7.5+
Anse Saint-Sauveur
Capesterre-Belle-Eau, France
A quieter volcanic-sand beach on the Capesterre side that generic datasets may overlook.
2OBI 7.5+
Anse Salabouelle
Le Moule, France
A wild surf-oriented beach east of Le Moule with stronger local and niche appeal.
3OBI 7.5+
Baie des Trépassés
Cléden-Cap-Sizun, France
The single most essential beach on this regional stretch.
4OBI 7.5+
Grande Plage de Biarritz
Biarritz, France
Biarritz’s most iconic urban resort beach.
5OBI 7.5+
Grande Plage de Saint-Trojan
Saint-Trojan-les-Bains, France
A major southern Atlantic beach on Oléron, distinct from the calmer Gatseau side.
6OBI 7.5+
Grande Plage d'Hendaye
Hendaye, France
The single most essential beach on the south Basque coast.
7OBI 7.5+
Petit Capo
Ajaccio, France
A smaller Capo di Feno-side beach area with wild scenery and local surf appeal.
8OBI 7.5+
Plage Centrale de Biscarrosse
Biscarrosse, France
The single most essential beach on this northern Landes stretch.
9OBI 7.5+
Plage Centrale de Capbreton
Capbreton, France
The core beach record for Capbreton.
10OBI 7.5+
Plage Centrale de Lacanau-Océan
Lacanau, France
The single most essential beach on the Gironde Atlantic coast.
Plage Centrale de Messanges
Messanges, France
A major surf-family beach between Moliets and Vieux-Boucau.
12OBI 7.5+
Plage Centrale de Moliets
Moliets-et-Maa, France
A major Landes surf-resort anchor.
13OBI 7.5+
Plage Centrale de Vieux-Boucau
Vieux-Boucau-les-Bains, France
A core family-surf resort beach in southern Landes.
Plage Centrale d'Hossegor
Soorts-Hossegor, France
A flagship resort and surf beach with major user demand.
15OBI 7.5+
Plage d'Algajola
Algajola, France
A major Balagne beach with broad sand, village views, and occasional surf appeal.
Plage de Bananier
Capesterre-Belle-Eau, France
A strong south-east edge beach near Trois-Rivières, known for volcanic sand and Atlantic energy.
Plage de Capo di Feno
Ajaccio, France
A wild, iconic Ajaccio-area beach known for open-sea scenery and surf.
Plage de Carcans-Océan
Carcans, France
A major surf-resort beach with strong visitor demand.
Plage de Cenitz
Guéthary, France
Cenitz is a major Guéthary-side beach with distinct reef and scenic appeal.
20OBI 7.5+
Plage de Contis
Contis, France
The northern gateway beach for this region.
Plage de Donnant
Bangor, France
Belle-Île’s most iconic wild beach and a major Brittany must-have.
Plage de Fort-Mahon-Plage
Fort-Mahon-Plage, France
A flagship sandy resort beach with broad product value.
Plage de Goulien
Goulien, France
A major Cap Sizun beach with broad appeal.
Plage de Goulien
Crozon, France
A strong surf and nature beach on the west side of the peninsula.
25OBI 7.5+
Plage de Gros Sable
Sainte-Anne, France
A Sainte-Anne beach known for stronger Atlantic energy and surf character compared with the lagoon beaches.