What sports activities to do on the French west coast ?
The west coast of France is full of beautiful places. Whether it’s for a road trip along the Atlantic coast or for a week in Étretat, you will always find a sport activity to do during your stay. Doing a sport activity allows you to change the traditional visits by discovering the landscape in another way.
Here is our selection of unmissable sports activities along the Atlantic coast.
5 ideas to help you’Sports activities to do on the French West Coast
Whether it is for a gift or for change activity, these ideas will spice up your stay and allow you to discover the coast in a new light. From strong sensations to walks on paths, the activities are multiple and will adapt to your desires.
A flight over the most beautiful sites
In order to admire the Atlantic coast, there is nothing like a flight over the essential sites. For this, the means are varied. You can, for example, admire La Baule and Pornic by taking a microlight flight over the Gulf of Morbihan.
Thanks to this shot, you will be able to observe the islands that make up this gulf. Near La Rochelle, it is possible to enjoy the landscape on board a hot air balloon for one hour for a fly over the west coast.
For the thrill seekers, it is possible to go paragliding. An original and sportive way to observe the surroundings. There are also hang-gliding flights with instructors, over the Dune du Pilat, which guarantees an unforgettable visit.
A helicopter ride is also a way to fly over the coast. You can even make your first dive in the mountains’helicopter flights to La Rochelle and the surrounding area.
Surfing
Depending on the place and the time of the year, it is ideal to surfing on the west coast of the country. The South West is particularly well known for having the best surfing spots, Bordeaux is even known for this. Biarritz is also the reference spot for surfers.
If you surf occasionally, but don’t own a board, no worries, you will find rental services everywhere. And if you have never tried surfing, the water sports centers regularly offer courses or introductory courses adapted to beginners. However, do it in a supervised way, the current can be a real threat, you need a good knowledge of the sea.
Snorkeling
Armed with a mask, a snorkel and fins, you are ready to snorkeling. It is an ideal sport activity to discover the sea bed of the region. It does not require any special training and is not expensive.
You just need to be comfortable with swimming and you can swim while observing the corals and the surrounding fish. The Gulf of Morbihan is a great spot for snorkeling, especially in Vannes. If you have never done it, it is possible to get closer to the nautical centers to be accompanied in this first experience.
For snorkeling lovers, it is also possible to go for a first dive in some places, it can be a good gift idea for a sporty man.
Hiking
Hiking is the ideal sport activity to discover new places with family or friends. There is a variety of courses designed for sportsmen, but also for families, so everyone can enjoy it. In 2021, the first place of the most beautiful hiking circuits was a trip to the Morbihan. Indeed, it is the Belle-Île-En-Mer hike which won the first prize of the “favorite GR” of the French. It is a 87 km tour that can be done in 4 days.
This tour is mainly dedicated to sportsmen. For beginners, there are many other walks to discover the Atlantic coast.
From the’accrobranche
Finally, a sporty and family activity for your vacations is the accrobranche. It is in Vendée that you can find the biggest tree climbing in the world. In the tree climbing centers, the courses are adapted to different levels even for beginners.
Thus, it is an ideal activity for the whole family that will allow you to have a view on the forest. In some places, the Tyrolean traverse will offer you a dream landscape by passing over ponds for example.
Thus, the West Coast adapts to the sporting public by offering different activities to discover the landscape while challenging yourself.