Water Sports
The Aquitaine coast is an ideal location for surfing enthusiasts. Introduced to France in the 1950s in Biarritz by Peter Viertel, surfing has become a must-do sport in the region. And with good reason: the conditions are ideal. You can surf all along the Atlantic coast, from Hossegor to the Basque coast. Throughout the year, the region hosts a number of competitions. The Biarritz Surf Festival, the Lacanau Pro and the Quiksilver Pro in Hossegor attract thousands of spectators who come to admire the stars of the sport. But surfing isn't the only sport on the Atlantic coast. Take a stroll along Arcachon's Plage Pereire or the Dune du Pilat, and you'll see a ballet of kites in the sky. No, they're kitesurfs! On a windy day, this sport is practiced on the water with a board on your feet and a kind of kite that you pilot. But beware: this is an extreme sport that you need to learn from a professional. Numerous kitesurfing schools offer courses for individuals all along the coast, from Biscarrosse to Seignosse... Don't hesitate to contact the Fédération Française de Vol Libre for more information. Contrary to popular belief, you don't need to know how to surf!
The Aquitaine coast region also boasts numerous scuba diving spots. Just off the coast of Capbreton is the "Gouf de Capbreton". It sinks to a depth of over 3,000 metres! In the head of this underwater canyon, you can see many marine species. Discovering the gulf, however, is reserved for professionals. For amateurs, there are a number of sites in the vicinity, to suit all tastes and abilities. In addition to natural areas, the region also boasts a number of artificial pits for diving practice. In 2013, La Teste-de-Buch inaugurated a 20-meter-deep diving pit. It offers a wide range of activities, including diving baptisms.
Aquitaine coast, between football and rugby
What would the South-West be without its emblematic sport, rugby? The region is home to many of France's rugby elite. Founded in 2006, Union Bordeaux-Bègles competes in France's top league, the Top 14. The club even reached first place in the regular championship in the 2019-2020 season, and semi-finalists in 2021 and 2022. You can attend UBB matches in Bordeaux's famous stadium: the Stade Chaban-Delmas. With a capacity in excess of 30,000, this stadium has helped to make Bordeaux one of Europe's biggest crowd draws. Further south in the region, the city of Bayonne also has a club in the elite. L'Aviron bayonnais has been crowned French champion on several occasions since its creation in 1904. The blue and whites put on a great show at the Jean Dauger stadium, in a warm and festive atmosphere. But there's much more to rugby in the region than just these two towns. Whether at professional level, like Biarritz or Mont-de-Marsan, or in the amateur leagues, like Dax, the oval ball is everywhere in Aquitaine!
A land of rugby, the Aquitaine coast is also marked by soccer. The spearhead of this sport in the region is undoubtedly the Girondins de Bordeaux club. Founded in 1910, the club is ranked in Ligue 2 for the 2022-2023 season. It has a rich history, with six championships and four French Cups to its credit. Above all, the Girondins have had legendary players such as Marius Trésor, Alain Giresse, Jean Tigana and even a certain Zinédine Zidane. Having long played at the Parc Lescure, now the Stade Chaban-Delmas, the club has now settled into its new home at the Stade Matmut Atlantique. Built in 2015 to host Euro 2016 matches, it has a capacity of almost 42,000. Voted the most beautiful stadium of 2015, it stands out for its unique architecture.
In the middle of nature
What better way to discover our beautiful region than on foot? The region offers over 6,000 km of signposted footpaths through varied and picturesque landscapes, whether on the coast, in the forest or in the mountains. Everything is more accessible on foot. From Hendaye at the gateway to Spain to the Pointe de Grave at the mouth of the estuary, 400 km of hiking trails alternate between tracks, paths, forests and beaches along the coast. The closer you get to the Pyrenees, the more challenging the hikes. A number of trails are well worth the detour, including the GR10, which takes you through the Pyrenees from east to west, and the Camino de Santiago de Compostela.
You can also cycle along the Aquitaine coast. The region is dotted with cycle paths that criss-cross the different landscapes, such as the Vélodyssée, a cycle route that runs along the Atlantic coast to the Basque coast. In Aquitaine, it stretches from Verdon-sur-Mer to Hendaye, passing through Lacanau-Océan, Arcachon and Bayonne. The vast majority of the route is car-free, allowing you to enjoy the ocean and nature in complete tranquillity. The region is criss-crossed by almost 2,000 km of cycle paths. Along the ocean, through pine forests, oyster-farming villages or nature reserves, the diversity of the South-West's scenery is yours for the taking.
Traditional sports and games
One of the region's most emblematic traditional sports is undoubtedly Basque pelota. You can recognize the pelotari (pelota player) by his outfit: white pants and shoes, and a polo shirt in the club colors. This all-round sport, visual and exciting, never ceases to seduce. And with good reason: it requires uncommon physical qualities and skill, a good sense of tactics and exemplary complementarity in doubles matches.
The origins of Basque pelota go back to antiquity. It is even said that the Mayans played the sport. Called pila by the Romans, it became jeu de paume in the Middle Ages under Henry IV. The sport was then played with gloves. Seduced by the game, the Basques adapted it to their own way, with specific equipment and facilities. In the mid-18th century, they invented the rebound (by integrating rubber), incorporated the wall and then, in 1857, Gaintchiki Harotcha created the chistera. With this object, he revolutionized pelota. It is said to have originated by chance, inspired by an oval-shaped wicker basket used to gather fruit. Over the centuries, it was perfected to its current structure. All known forms of Basque pelota have one thing in common: the wall, or fronton. In fact, every Basque village has its own. It's an essential element, often located in the middle of the village! The fronton is marked by a horizontal line one metre above the ground: this demarcation acts as a "net". The pelota must not be thrown underneath, otherwise it's a foul! In some cases, the fronton may be extended by a wall to the left, known as the jaï alaï. This is the configuration used for cesta punta matches. In California and South America, where many Basques settled at the beginning of the 20th century, pediments and walls were used for these sports.
In the air
Why not take to the skies to discover the charms of the region? The Aquitaine coast offers a wide range of activities to suit all tastes. For speed enthusiasts, there are several sites between Arcachon, Biscarrosse, Biarritz and Anglet offering first flights in planes, gliders, helicopters and microlights. You can even go paragliding or hang-gliding. Supervised by professionals, these activities are open to everyone, so you can marvel at the scenery as you take to the air! For those who prefer a quieter, more contemplative trip, there are a number of facilities offering flights and first flights in hot-air balloons. You'll watch the balloon being inflated, and then enjoy a unique spectacle in the middle of the region's valleys. Beyond the joy of floating through the skies, ballooning is also a convivial experience. In fact, most facilities offer lunches or aperitifs before or after the flight.
Last but not least, the region doesn't forget thrill-seekers. You can go skydiving, whether for the first time or to try it again. Several facilities await you in the region. Industry professionals are on hand to guide you. All you have to do is jump safely!
Relaxation
The Aquitaine coast offers visitors a wide range of leisure and relaxation activities. The region offers a number of hydrotherapy sites, including spa towns such as Casteljaloux, Saubusse and Cambo-les-Bains. The Grand Dax spa area is the largest in the region. No fewer than a dozen establishments are ready to welcome you. You'll find everything you need for a holiday combining tourism and fitness. Each one offers targeted services in a unique setting renowned for its quality. Closer to the ocean, you can discover thalassotherapy centers. Hendaye, Biarritz, Arcachon and Saint-Jean-de-Luz are just some of the places where you can enjoy the therapeutic benefits of the sea air. Here, too, you'll find numerous centers, most of which offer on-site accommodation. So you can enjoy the benefits of seawater, while savouring the pleasures of the ocean climate!
The region also offers a number of river cruises. These are all great ways to discover the Aquitaine coast in a different way. For a day or more, there's a whole range of options for enjoying the landscape in peace and quiet. Choose from cruises on the Garonne between Bordeaux and the Gironde estuary, on the Adour and its tributaries near Bayonne, or even mini-cruises departing from seaside resorts such as Saint-Jean-de-Luz or Hendaye. For epicureans, we recommend packages that combine culture and gastronomy. These allow you to explore the region while discovering its culinary specialties.
Of course, the Aquitaine coast also abounds in bathing spots. Along the Atlantic Ocean, numerous beaches await you, whether you want to jump into the waves or relax on the sand. But the region also boasts one of France's largest natural lakes: Lac d'Hourtin et de Carcans. Close to Lacanau, this lake boasts several beaches and offers a wide range of activities, including paddling, water-skiing, kayaking and even sailing.
