Surfing with a touch of style

Sep 12 2008 By Paula Fentiman

Catch a wave on the enchanting shorelines of south-west France

Learn to surf in a weekend: that was the challenge.

So off I went to the place where it all started in Europe 50 years ago - Biarritz in the far south-west of France - with a mixture of excitement and trepidation.

Ihad always liked the idea of being a surfer chick but the prospect of emulating the stars of films such as Point Break and Endless Summer seemed a little out of reach.

While I may not have been carving the waves like a pro-surfer, I did - with a lot of patience and help from a fantastic instructor - manage to stand up on my beginner's longboard.

The thrill of catching a wave and speeding towards the beautiful shoreline gave me a taste of what makes surfing such an addictive, all-encompassing lifestyle for its devoted fans. During a two-night stay in the resort, which is just short of the Spanish border, I managed to fit in three lessons under the gentle tuition of Pol from Hastea Surf School on the town's Cote des Basques.

The town is completely geared up for surfing - with the beaches a short walk from the centre and huge expanses of sand and shallow surf.

Benefiting from a mild climate and a laidback lifestyle, there are numerous other sports and outdoor activities on offer as well as good restaurants, bars and museums. As the airport is so close to the town centre, it's perfect for a hassle-free weekend getaway.

In addition, everything in Biarritz is within walking distance with the picturesque town set around rocky headlands which jut out between the two main beaches - the Grande Plage and Cote des Basques.

Biarritz is punctuated by distinctive tamarisk trees and hydrangea-covered banks with well-lit paths zigzagging down to the sea.

Walk out to the viewpoint at Rocher de la Vierge (Virgin's Rock) and stroll through the town centre and Port Vieux to get a real feel for the place. The Le Corsaire restaurant, on the water's edge, serves beautifully-cooked local dishes focused around seafood.

We stayed at the stylish Le Caritz hotel, overlooking the sea. It is in a prime location in the Old Town opposite the Plage du Port Vieux and serves good-quality food.

No city break is complete without some relaxing with a glass of wine and Biarritz has a number of trendy venues to while away a summer's evening.

For the ultimate way to watch the sun go down, head up to the top of the cliff over the Cote des Basques to Les 100 Marches.

With spectacular views, this simple bar is a perfect place to unwind after a day in the sun.

Travel facts...

Paula Fentiman joined the Learn to Surf Weekend as a guest of Bearn Basque Tourist Office (www.bearn-basquecountry.com)

Rail Europe offers return fares to Biarritz, from London St Pancras on Eurostar and changing in Lille or Paris, from £109, first class £209. Return fares based on the overnight Paris-Biarritz service start at £119. Rail Europe reservations: 0844 848 4070

Budget airlines flying to Biarritz include Ryanair and easyJet.