Nord-Pas-de-Calais

This region, bordering Belgium, is a haven for surfers and windsurfers looking to gently ease themselves into more intermediate wave ranges. For the most part, it has gentle beach breaks and reasonably gentle waves. A few places along this stretch of coast offer more intermediate conditions with slightly varied wave directions and difficulty. The area itself is little to write home about, but its vicinity to Belgium and the culture of the area means it can be a great place to move further east from. There are a few safety concerns in individual spots however, but nothing that will daunt an intermediate wave or wind sailer.

For the most part sandy and beautiful, but some will find the holiday crowds a genuine put off. It's very popular with kitesurfers from the region as well as holiday makers from Paris. The Channel Tunnel and associated rail links mean this is a common region for many city folk looking to get to the beach on sunny days. This doesn't man you cannot find a good spot, it just means you will have to look a little harder.

Not fantastic, but still more consistent than southern England, Calais and the surrounding areas see a decent amount of sunshine and some excellent offshore winds. Indeed, you will find an great community of sailors in this area, and getting away from the crowds can be a tremendous way of seeing this area of France. While similar resort areas in England provide distraction away from the sea, in case of poor weather, there is less than you might think in this region. Good days are great on the water, but bad days are dull off it.

Excellent provision has been made in the area for those traveling via the Channel Tunnel, and that being the case, there is plenty of accommodation for all budgets, as well as an almost perfect road and rail network which has the added benefit of allowing you to tour inland very easily on the days off the water.

There are four main hazards here, and each spot will have its own combination of them. The most prominent, and applicable to watersport enthusiasts is the level of undertow, which is more than you might expect for a region mostly populated with beginners. Secondly, car crime is rife, so it's worth considering security measures if you are likely to be parking for an extended period. Thirdly, there are a number of hidden rocks in some area, making it worth your while to check local boards and safety zoning posters. Finally, some areas in the region have very large crowds, which may make surfing, particularly, somewhat difficult.