Hit the surf in Biarritz

To burn off the consequences of all the gastronomic indulgence, France's wind-whipped Atlantic coastline has the answer.

Stretching from the coves of Brittany in the north (similar to those of Cornwall in England, but traditionally more popular with windsurfers) to the vast sand beaches of Aquitaine in the south, the varied geography of France's eastern edge offers plenty of variety, though it is impressive beach breaks like those at Hossegor, Seignosse and Soustons in the southwest that are the biggest draw for domestic and international surfers.

Taking the wind and water combination one step further, France is also the birthplace of kitesurfing, with hotspots developing on both the southern and northern fringes of the country.