Oh Franceee

For the first week of my 3 week long spring break, I travelled to Hossegor/Capbreton in the South of France for a week of surf and relaxation. Hossegor and Capbreton are two of the most prestigious surf towns in Europe, and have some of the most consistent and perfect waves in Europe. The area sucks in all available swell via a submarine canyon that funnels swell directly onto the beaches in the area. In the winter and spring, the surf can be wild and the weather awful, so we lucked out entirely with smallish waves and perfect weather all week.

This is one of the only pictures that I took of the 3 days of really good surf that we got, all the other times I was way too excited to take pictures. This is down the street from my hostel in Capbreton, at a spot called La Piste. Such a good sandbar.

Sunset on the first night of surf, looking towards Northern Spain and the Pyrenees mountain range in the distance through the clouds and rain.

The daily routine. French breakfast of baguettes, ham, cheese, cereal, and loads of coffee, then bike 2 miles down to Hossegor to go and surf La Graviere. La Grav sucked in all available swell (1 ft at 12 secs) and peaked it into perfect waist to chest high peaks. 

The view of the most chill hostel in the planet. Board and bike room on the left, outdoor shower, and the coolest aesthetic around. For $35 a night!

Little mural of the late Andy Irons on the back of a building in Hossegor town center. The town is steeped in surf culture, with WSL offices, European headquarters of every big brand, and a strong competitive environment. Hossegor lives and breathes surf.

A sunset over the bunkers at Capbreton on one of the last nights. The bunkers were originally built on the top of the dunes by the Germans in WWII after they had invaded and occupied France. Over time, the dunes receded and the bunkers fell into the sea, where they remain half buried and heavily graffitied.

Standing atop one of the bunkers looking South.

This is the most iconic of the bunkers, as it has managed to flip entirely and now rests pointing straight up. Many of the bunkers can still be entered and explored where sand hasn't filled entrances or exits.