France is home to some of the top surfing destinations in Europe and, if you have already hit up the beaches and caught the waves of some of her other famous spots such as Biarritz and Hossegor, then you should check out our vacation rentals in Lacanau. This is one of the best places to surf along the Atlantic Coast of France and has an impressive sandy beach that stretches for a vast distance. With hiking and biking trails through the pine forest, an unspoiled lake that is popular for fishing, canoeing, and more, and a lively summer atmosphere, this is the perfect place for those who want to simply spend their vacation enjoying getting out into nature, taking beautiful scenery, and partaking in some fun activities!
Lacanau is located on the west coast of the Medoc Peninsula, north of Arcachon and to the north-west of Bordeaux. The beach of the resort of Lacanau Océan is an astounding 14 kilometres long and boasts fine white sand with charming dunes as well as an impressively consistent westerly Atlantic swell. In fact, there are relatively few days each year where it is not possible to surf at this beach. And, of course, through late spring, summer, and early autumn, it has all of the ingredients necessary for dreamy days on the beach.
The main, central areas of the beach have lifeguards and amenities, while the further away stretches offer a bit more peace and quiet. In general, this stretch of the Cote d'Argent is rather busy, even from as early as May, due to its importance as a surfing destination. During the summer, it is a very lively and vibrant holiday spot. So, whether you want to enjoy lazy and peaceful days by the sea or you want to join in on the fun and excitement, you’ll likely be able to find all you need for a break on the coast that suits your tastes at Lacanau!
The professional surfing community, and many of the best surfers in the world, particularly, descend upon the area in even great number in August each year (although this year's edition will take place from the 7th to the 13th of July 2025), when Lacanau plays host to the Lacanau Pro, an event that's part of the qualifying series for the world surfing championship. For serious fans of the sport who want to see some of the best of the best do their thing or even for more casual fans who can appreciate the obvious mastery on display, this is a great time to book a villa in Lacanau to soak up the atmosphere and enjoy the competition.
Those who are interested in surfing but who aren’t anywhere close to being pros, however, will also find that this is a welcoming place to come learn how to surf or to improve on any pre-existing skills that you may have. There are various surf schools and instructors that you can choose from and there is also the option of wind-surfing on the lake, an even more gentle option for those who might be worried about the sometimes large waves on the beach. This option is often chosen by those with kids who also want to engage in the local surf culture.
Of course, for serious surfers, it is when the best waves are on offer that will dictate their visit so, while summer is busy for general tourism, those seeking big waves (and willing to brave the cold water) might choose to come in winter instead. Either side of summer is also good for those learning to surf as there are less people in the water. May and June, meanwhile, have a more consistent swell than July and August. It really depends on what you are after but there is a perfect time of year for all kinds of surfers to book a holiday rental in Lacanau.
So, decide on the kind of surf or seaside break you want and then plan a dream vacation in Lacanau!