Soorts-Hossegor

Content sourced from Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.

Soorts-Hossegor is a small seaside town in southwestern France, in the Landes department of Nouvelle-Aquitaine. It sits about 20 km north of Biarritz and lies along the Atlantic coast with four beaches and a freshwater lake. The locals call residents Hossegoriens.

The area has been lived in for a long time. It was a stopping point for pilgrims in the 14th century and began to grow as a seaside resort in the 19th century. In 1913, the town added Hossegor to its name because of the nearby lake, creating the name Soorts-Hossegor. The town’s old church dates from the 14th century, and Bielle farm is one of its oldest buildings.

Between the 1920s and 1930s, Soorts-Hossegor was developed into a resort town. About 400 villas were built (today there are around 183), along with hotels, a golf course, and an art-deco esplanade along the beach. The architecture blends Basque and Landes styles, and a sports casino was built at that time. Notable hotels include Les Hortensias du Lac and the Mercedes.

Surfing is a central part of the town’s identity. Since the 1950s, Soorts-Hossegor has been famous for its waves, with major competitions organized by the World Surf League. The best-known breaks are at Gravière, La Nord, and Les Estagnots, with neighboring Capbreton and Seignosse also hosting waves for events. In the 1980s, large surf brands opened regional offices in the town’s industrial park, including Rip Curl, Quiksilver, Billabong, and Rusty.

Besides surfing, people in Soorts-Hossegor enjoy swimming, tennis, horse riding, and Basque pelote. Basque culture is also visible in the town’s history and sport. In 1958 France opened its first Jai alai venue in Soorts-Hossegor, and since 2019 there has been an annual televised Jai alai event. Every Easter, a big craft fair for surf clothes and gear attracts many visitors.

The town got its railway connection in 1923, helping it develop as a popular destination. By 2020 the population was about 3,500, and in 2023 it was around 3,800 residents.