Northern France
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Positives
- Autumn/winter waves
- Storm swell shelter
- Unique chalk cliff scenery
- Closest surf to Paris
Negatives
- Very low consistency
- Lack of shape and power
- Mostly onshore conditions
- Big tides
Northern France surf travel guide
The Channel coastline of Normandy and La Manche requires the biggest W swells or locally produced windswell to create any worthwhile rides. It lacks both power and consistency, but it’s the closest surf to Paris and the chalk cliff scenery is a stunningly unique backdrop. The most consistent area is the northern part of the Cotentin Peninsula, which faces due W, while the coast of Normandy works mostly in SW storms. The premier spot of Etretat is perfectly aligned to pick up the SW swell and deflect the strong accompanying SW winds in a cross-shore direction, keeping the lefts clean in a gale. Some of the Channel spots also break on short fetch NW-NE wind-chop, when onshore wind is essential to wave creation. Winter is the best time to score anything decent, but the mega tides, heavy rips and freezing water temperatures challenge even the hardiest surfers.
Surf spots in Northern France
Research the 19 surf breaks in Northern France and discover what spots suit the current conditions.
Break lowdown
We’ve collated the wave data giving you a unique insight into the 19 breaks in Northern France.
When to go
Surf and weather statistics to help plan your surf trip to Northern France
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Travel Information
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Money
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Visas
France is a Schengen state and citizens of most European countries, USA, Australia, Canada and New Zealand do not require visas. All others, including South Africans and those planning to stay more than three months, must obtain a visa from the French consulate in their home country.
Getting There
From Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport it’s only a short 2hr drive to the coast. From London and Paris, there are regular flights with regional airlines to the smaller airports of Caen, Rouen, Le Havre and Deauville. Direct train connections from Paris to Rouen, Le Havre, Caen, Deauville and Cherbourg depart from St Lazare train station, or Montparnasse for Alençon and Mont Saint Michel. There are many direct ferry routes from the UK ports of Dover, Folkestone, Poole, Portsmouth or Newhaven, arriving in the French ports of Calais, Boulogne, Dieppe, Le Havre, Caen/Ouistreham and Cherbourg. Prices start from as little as €50 return on the cheapest Dover – Calais route. Book early for holiday period tickets.
Getting Around
This is a massive region and it’s a long drive from Calais to the Contentin Peninsula. Motorway tolls considerably add to travel costs. Some areas have big cliffs, making access tricky in parts.
Accommodation
Because this is a winter zone, the usual camping option is not realistic as most will be closed. A 2 star hotel near Etretat will cost around €60 a double in winter off-season. Otherwise, free-camping the cold car-parks should be hassle-free. Like Brittany, apples are big business for cider and are also used to make Calvados, an apple brandy. Normandy is famed for cream and butter production plus a type of lamb reared on the salt marshes. Fresh seafood is easily found in the port towns of the Nord-Pas-de-Calais region.
Activities
Boulogne-sur-mer is the largest fishing port in France and the nearby aquarium Nausicaa showcases 35000 ocean creatures. Le Touquet is touted as a chic shopping town. Normandy is dotted with plenty of chateaux to visit and Claude Monet’s famous garden in Giverny, halfway to Paris. There are four Regional Natural Parks in Normandy, accessible on foot, horse-back or by bike with canoeing and river SUP potential. Many American and British tourists visit the WWII D-Day landing beaches and associated memorials. There are also the WWI battlefields of the Somme just inland from the Picardy coast.
Hazards & hassles
Etretat does get crowded, the locals do get vocal and the parking is always a challenge. Cold water down to single figures is possible so bring plenty of rubber. When the cross-shore is blowing hard and the swell is sweeping from the SW, there will be a lot of drift at the open beaches.
Handy Hints
This region is so fickle that you must be on it when the swell arrives, which is usually measured in hours not days. Windsurfing, kitesurfing and SUP are all good back-up plans, particularly in the warmer (read flatter) months from May to Oct or at any time in the wave-less Baie de Seine.
Due to global pandemic, Visas, Getting There, Getting Around or Accommodation information and pricing may have changed. Always check Government Travel Advice before travelling.