While nearby Hossegor may steal the limelight with its laid-back France-meets-California vibe, neighbouring Capbreton lays on a more authentic beach holiday experience. The waters are calmer here, perfect for little ones, and the celebrated seafood, best sampled around the vibrant marina, is some of the best in the area.

Beach-house inspired Villa La Piste, both comfortable and cosy, is made for families, with everything you need just a stroll away, including the ocean. Set back from the street, you can unwind entirely in this gentle residential location. An enclosed garden and covered pool make it safe for toddlers, while teens can cycle safely into style-savvy Hossegor along the cycle path next to the villa – one of many in the area. And couples will love it too, particularly in the quieter months when shopping like a local at the bustling fish market and lazy days on the beach or spent exploring make for a rejuvenating week or two.

The local area

As well as the pleasures of Capbreton’s stretch of sandy beach, young children will enjoy the little amusement park conveniently close to the excellent marina restaurants as well as the chance to meet the monkeys at the Pinède des Singes, just eight kilometres south of town. Meanwhile, the local boutiques, a golf course and a casino offer a few more grown-up places to play. And then you have upmarket Hossegor just a ten-minute drive away, where sophisticated France meets laid-back California to idyllic effect.

Here shopping, brunching, biking, watersports and water parks are all on the agenda – as well as even more glorious sandy beaches. For those tempted to try surfing, this is a perfect spot, but if riding the waves isn’t your thing, there are plenty of alternatives, whether you fancy a leisurely day cycling through pine forests with a picnic or a morning SUP yoga class on Hossegor’s tranquil lagoon.

Days out

Jump in the car and you’ll be even more spoilt for choice. Bayonne is about half an hour away, the capital of the Pays Basque and the ‘chocolate capital’ of France, and, a little further on, you’ll find Biarritz. Here, Belle Époque glamour sits alongside a vibrant shopping, eating and cultural scene, all the more impressive for its dramatic coastal location. The Basque countryside is also a delight to explore, from its pretty hilltop villages to celebrated St-Jean-de-Luz, pure beach heaven for families with a beautifully atmospheric, historic town behind. You can even catch the ferry from Hendaye into Spain for some quality time in the colourful coastal town of Hondarrabia. There you’ll find a packed calendar of festivals, lots of atmosphere and some excellent tapas restaurants.

Explore our pre-bookable experiences in Aquitaine

Our choice of French properties is diverse, ranging from simple charm to genuine luxury and style. Much of our portfolio is privately owned, and price alone is therefore not a universal guide. We contract all our accommodation in person, and each property has its individual appeal. To help you make the right choice based on your own priorities, we have devised a simple grading guide to be considered in conjunction with each individual property description, awarding up to a maximum of five stars for the below categories.