OUR BEACHES in the SOUTH-WEST of our beautiful France

Plage d'Hossegor

Geomorphology defines a beach as an “accumulation on the seashore, on the shore of a stream or lake of material ranging in size from fine sands to boulders”. The beach is therefore not limited to stretches of fine sand; there are also pebble beaches and, in the case of larger blocks, beaches called beach-rock.
We tend to restrict the beach to the foreshore, but it also includes the fore-beach (also called the fore-coast and where we find the fore-dunes, called "dunes" by vacationers), which is part of the infra-coastal zone. The beaches are oriented perpendicular to the prevailing swell.
The fine sandy beaches are the most popular with vacationers. We can distinguish “white” sands of organic origin (skeletal remains and other shells, limestone or siliceous) from “black” sands of mineral or volcanic origin. However, the distinction should not be made only on the color, sands of organic origin may appear black if they are loaded with organic matter, and sands of mineral origin may be light, depending on the type of rock that has them. give birth.

Artificial beaches

In the XXIe century, 75 to 90% of beaches are threatened with disappearance, due to human exploitation or marine submersion. Part of this sand is used to recreate artificial beaches, with much less ecological qualities.

Les Landes

Natural beaches

Plage de Biscarosse

La plage de Saint Girons

Here is an official link, click and enjoy your visit !

Here is another official link, Vielle Saint Girons: click and enjoy your visit !

Naturist beaches

In many countries, beaches have always been partially or totally accessible to nudity enthusiasts. If you would like more information on this subject, please contact the official organizations in the tourism sector.

Information on naturist beaches

France has 5,500 km of coastline. On nudist beaches (or free beaches), wearing a swimsuit is not compulsory. There are two types of nudist beaches:
* Nudist beaches recognized by local authorities (prefectural or municipal authorization).
* The beaches which have become nudist by dint of being frequented by nudists (tolerance). Naturist centers are private land.
Like non-naturist campsites, they offer various services such as cultural, sports and well-being activities, childcare (even at a young age), clubs for teenagers, a catering service, a mini market….
All naturist centers have a naturist bathing area: beach, river, swimming pool ... Water being an essential component of well-being!
For a list of approved naturist beaches, visit the website of the French Federation of Naturism (FFN)

Attention plage Nudiste