In Brittany, the swell generated by oceanic depressions offers the coast a good range of conditions, particularly out of season. Don't let the cool water (between 11 and 15 degrees) stop you: equipped with a 4-3 mm wetsuit and neoprene booties, you're ready to ride the Celtic waves, in landscapes of penetrating and infinite beauty ... Almost alone on the line-up at this time of year. Here are the top 3 essential sites that will make you addicted.
The Torch, the most famous wave of Armor
La Torche, at the southern end of Audierne Bay (Finistère), is the most popular surf spot in Brittany - it is even the birthplace of it, and regularly hosts competitions. On this long unspoiled beach bordered by dunes and tulip plantations, the west swell creates a beach break all year round (wave breaking on a sandy bottom) perfect for beginners and longboarders; however, it can reach up to 3.50 m when the ideal conditions are met.
If there are too many people in the water, fall back on the spots very close to Tronoën or Porz Carn. The sunset sessions are unforgettable…
GET THERE: allow a 30-minute drive from Quimper. Take the direction of Ploemeur / Penmarc'h, then Pointe de la Torche.
WE LIKE: the very serious Surf Camp XXIX welcomes, in a bigoudene farmhouse close to the spot, 12-17 year olds during school holidays (from 530 € / child). The rest of the year, alone, with family, with friends, you can sleep there (from 25 to 60 € / night) or participate in the adult surfcamp with full board during long weekends in spring and autumn, with morning lessons and equipment available in the afternoon (www.esb-latorche.com, from € 115 / adult).
The Crozon peninsula, paradise for experienced surfers
Crozon, Palue beach. CRTB / Paco's eye
It feels like the end of the world. Nestled in the hollow of a sublime promontory separating the harbor of Brest from the bay of Douarnenez, the wild Palue beach (Finistère) is one of the most beautiful in Brittany. Virgin of any construction, 2 km wide, it is a very consistent, regular spot, reserved for good surfers because the currents can be strong.
When the swell comes due west, at high tide, the waves are powerful, hollow; you can also "tub" (being covered by the lip of the wave, which is the ultimate figure in surfing) when the wind comes from the east. On the peninsula, the waves of Lostmarc'h, Kerloc'h, or Goulien are also very well known.
TO GO : count an hour's drive from Brest or Quimper. Take the direction of Crozon, then Morgat, then La Palue.
WE LIKE: PhilaDelphia , a surf house with retro decor, run by two winter sports enthusiasts, five minutes from the spots on the peninsula. Dryer for wetsuits, racks for boards, walk-in shower to rinse off after a session ... Everything is done to make your stay easier. Surf camps are organized on a weekend or week basis (Crozon-Morgat, tel: 06 73 28 43 20, phila-delphia.fr, from 20 to 90 € / night / person, surfcamp from 130 to 320 € / person ).
The Quiberon peninsula, for all levels
Port Bara beach in St-Pierre-Quiberon. CRTB / Gaêlle Le Boulicaut / Morbihan Tourism
Surfing on the Quiberon peninsula in Morbihan is a way of life. The eastern side is perfectly sheltered and provides quality waves, easy to take. Departing from Plouharnel, labeled "Surf City", the spots of Sainte-Barbe, La Guérite and Mané Gwen are popular with beginners, intermediate levels and longboarders.
It is progressing quickly, since there is little power and room for everyone on these long stretches of blond sand. It is on the wild coast, facing the swell of the open sea and the prevailing winds, that we find more demanding spots, like Port-Blanc, Port-Rhu and Port Bara, reserved for experienced riders . On these 8 km of steep cliffs, enchanting coves and caves accessible only at low tide, the waves breaking on the reef are stronger, even very big in winter.
GO THERE: rent a car at the Auray train station, for easier access to the spots on the wild coast (from Plouharnel-Carnac, 15 minutes out of season… and up to one hour in summer, due to traffic jams!).
WE LIKE : a guarantee of reassuring and passionate teaching, ESB Plouharnel is one of the 9 schools certified by the ESB network (Brittany Surf School), located on the best Breton spots (www.ecole-surf.com, tel. : 02 97 52 41 18). It also offers a duplex surf lodge (weekend off season € 290), and a space for discussion and relaxation in a very Californian spirit, the ESB Shop & Café (Plouharnel, tel: 02 97 14 29 95 ) where there are small healthy dishes, boards and clothes.
Practical notebook
Torch surf lessons. CRTB / GUILLIAMS Laurent
PROGRAM THE BEST WEATHER FOR A TRIP SURF
By downloading the Surf Report and Windguru apps on your smartphone.
SHOPPING
We play California with the iconic unisex surf shorts made in Saint-Malo by Hoalen, the Breton Abercrombie & Fitch created in 2006. The brand declines its hoodies, t-shirts and other neoprene suits in pretty ocean stores in Brest, Trinité-sur-Mer, Crozon, Saint-Lunaire or Kelerdut; the latter remains open all summer until 9 pm in “beach bar” mode (www.hoalen.com).
Member of “Lost in the swell”, a band of adventurers scouring the globe in search of virgin waves, Ronan Gladu is THE Breton surf photographer. For almost 20 years, he has been tracking the most beautiful sessions of the Armorican coast, immortalized in a beautiful 240-page book , Barravel (on sale on www.ronangladu.com, € 48).
Barravel, surfing in Brittany by Ronan Gladu. Ronan Gladu
Want to acquire a 100% Breton board shaped by hand ? In his Plume airplane workshop, 20 minutes from La Torche, Laurent Guéguen offers all kinds of alternative boards, custom-made in small quantities, inspired by 60's and 70's designs (Plozevet, Finistère, tel: 06 82 34 54 74 , plumedavion.com). Gaël Le Thellec, who passed through the Boulle school, made him old school models in hollowed out paulownia wood, oiled or varnished, terribly attractive (Combrit, Finistère, tel: 06 59 38 58 39, www.gawoodsurfboards.com).
Camille Prigent's wax. Maison Rivages
Eco-friendly because 100% natural and biodegradable, the local wax (wax) with a stylish coating designed by Camille Prigent contains only beeswax, coconut oil and pine sap (5 € , Maison Rivages, Keradraon, Finistère, by appointment only, tel: 06 27 10 57 30, rivages.myshopify.com; also on sale at the Wood and Sea surfshop in Brest, tel: 02 90 82 56 55).