The Atlantic coast of South West France, stretching from the Spanish border right up to Bordeaux, is really just one long sandy beach. There are hardly any coves or rocky outcrops, just miles upon miles, or kilometres upon kilometres if you prefer, of sand. Indeed much of the hinterland of the Landes is sand, supporting the pine forests, which is why the river Adour changed its course so often in medieval times.
The lack of rocky features mrans that the Atlantic surf crashes in from the Bay of Biscay unhindered. Surfers love it, but especially when the weather has whipped up the waves it is not so easy for swimming - it is better just to play on the edge of the surf.
During the summer the beaches of the resorts are patrolled by life-guards - part of the gendarmarie - who designate the areas they are watching with baignade surveillée signs. The unwary or foolish swimmer who strays outside these limits is quickly drawn to heel by a fierce whistle or, if he or she persists, a vigorous Gallic invocation to behave. Surfers, wearing wet-suits and carrying their boards, are however ignored.
With so much sandy coastline the sun-bather can easily find a spot away from it all. There are a number of nudist beaches, but away from the resorts who cares what happens?
The resorts where bathing is watched can become crowded during the summer, especially in the few sheltered coves such as the one at Ciboure, opposite St Jean de Luz. Inland there are beaches on some of the many lakes, where the calmer water permits swimming, snorkelling, skin-diving and other fun water activities.
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