Capbreton

Visit Capbreton, Aquitaine

Capbreton is north of Bayonne and Biarritz in the south-west corner of France - where the river Adour ends it’s passage to the sea.

If you love seafood, then this is unquestionably one of the best places to visit in France. It’s income has traditionally been netted from the fruits of the sea, and it’s noted as one of the best places to eat fresh fish and seafood. Perhaps it’s the Gauf, a deep water crevice extending to over 1000 meters below sea level, or just the fresh ocean current that delivers this exotic mix of sea fruit, but ultimately for me, it’s the restaurants that cook and serve it – it’s superb, and a plate of fruit de mer is a brilliant reminder of your visit.

Exploring Capbreton

Nowadays, Capbreton is set up for the tourist market, but not like Newquay or Brighton… yes there are surf shops, designer labels and sunglasses, yes of course you can buy buckets, fishing nets and coral jewellery, but the focus is on the sea, the waves, the sunsets, the brilliant weather and the lifestyle that calls itself… Capbreton.

It’s where the “French” go to holiday, and it’s a well kept secret, lapped by the channel – the area is clean and unspoilt, with a timeless charm. For the children there are miles upon miles of sandy beaches, though watch for the strong current, there are ice-cream shops that sell every flavour they could have imagined, there are rock-pools, with the opportunity to net your own Oysters and of course there’s the sand… and there’s lots of it.

Capbreton is divided into two  parts. To the north, there is the port centre, with your usual suspects… the Surf Shacks and the bucket and spade vendors, you’ll find sandwiches that cost the earth, and well meaning restaurants serving this mornings catch at an overinflated price. You’ll find obstacle courses for the fitness enthusiasts, playgrounds for the under 10’s and hairdressers and boutiques for the glamorous that shop!

Bypass these, and you’ll find a quaint harbour beach where you’ll revisit your childhood, finding treasures in the rock pools and shoals of miniature fry ready to be snapped up by your infants. You’ll discover crabs of every colour, and pick fresh oysters from the rocks if no one beats you to it! It’s the place of childhood dreams as you play pirate on the jetty and scrape the sand from your toes!

All this – and Capbreton is not crowded! I don’t know why you’ll not queue for a pedalo, or stand for hours in an ice cream shop that’s blearing out the latest techno craze, but you’ll find like minded people there to lap up the atmosphere!

Slightly downstream, and usually after lunch, you’ll find the Grand Plage… a luxuriously long beach with the odd parasol but not a wind break insight, not a German towel, and no blaring music, and no rubbish! You have the choice of joining the throngs of French tourists, or walking down the beach to find a deserted spot. The beach at Cap Breton is one of the cleanest in Europe, the sea is like a clear jewel, and the surf is great.

Edged by a surprisingly tasteful block of tourist apartments, there are no high rise buildings, parking is a nightmare and the ocean current can be dangerous, so don’t let your children in alone.

Attractions nearby

On the outskirts of Cap Breton you’ll discover the Forest of Gascogne – you can’t miss it as it spans over a million hectares and occupies 45 % of the surface of Aquitaine, Gironde, the Landes and Lot–et–Garonne. Originally the forest was planted to extract pine resin, but now much of the wood is cut commercially.

Capbreton is a conveniently placed spot to base yourself for your holidays, Biarritz, and St Jean de Luz lying a short trip south, with Bordeaux and the rolling hills of Madiran to your north and east – you are spoilt for choice!

Tourist classifications for Capbreton: Village in bloom (ville fleurie) 2*;

Suggested places to visit near Capbreton, France

Distances shown are direct, driving distances will be greater.

More suggestions: Moliets 24km; La Bastide-Clairence 28km; Dax 31km; Cambo-les-Bains 32km; Espelette 34km; Saint Jean de Luz 34km; Ciboure 34km; Itxassou 35km; Ainhoa 38km; Sare 39km; La Rhune 41km; Hendaye 42km; Hondarribia 43km; Salies-de-Bearn 45km; Sauveterre-de-Bearn 48km; Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port 55km;

See these places and more on a map at places near Capbreton

Capbreton tourism: sights and attractions nearby

Marais d'Orx - site of natural beauty (6km) : Courant de Huchet - site of natural beauty (28km) : Parc du Sarrat - remarkable garden (31km) : Jardins de la villa Arnaga - remarkable garden (32km) : Courant de Contis - site of natural beauty (51km) :

French version: see Capbreton (Francais)