French language holidays in Biarritz with Surf
Would you like to combine your passion for surfing with a French language course? Then this course in Biarritz, THE surfing capital of Europe, is for you!
This holiday is aimed at young people aged 13 to 14 or 15 to 17 who want to improve their French while surfing in one of the best surf spots in the world.
Located on the Atlantic coast close to the Spanish border, Biarritz is without doubt the most chic seaside resort in the Basque Country . It boasts a 4km coastline of small coves and magnificent fine sandy beaches, all of which are popular with surfers from all over the world.
Highlights
- An ideal stay for surf enthusiasts of all levels
- Biarritz, one of the most prestigious seaside resorts on the Atlantic coast
- French lessons, surf lessons, activities, excursions and accommodation – everything included!
Our partner school in Biarritz is a friendly, family-run school offering individual attention and a teaching method adapted to young people.
Every summer, it organises supervised stays for 15-17 year-olds, including French and surfing lessons, entertainment and evenings out, as well as accommodation with a host family.
French lessons
- 20 French lessons per week
- 1 lesson = 45 minutes
- Maximum number of students per class: 14
- Level test on the 1st day of class
- Certificate of attendance at the end of the course
- Teachers are qualified to teach their mother tongue to foreigners
- Minimum level: A1
French lessons take place at the Collège Immaculée Conception, a 15-minute walk from the beach and the town centre.
The teachers incorporate surfing into the lessons to make it easier to understand surfing sessions and local sporting events.
Surfing will enable young people to communicate and share a common interest in the French language and contribute to the group dynamic, cohesion and solidarity.
Surfing lessons
- 4 surf sessions of 1h30 l per week
- Young people are divided into small groups of a maximum of 8 students
- Each group is supervised by a surf instructor holding a Brevet d’Etat de moniteur de surf or a BPJEPS mention surf (Brevet Professionnel de la Jeunesse, de l’Éducation Populaire et du Sport)
- Equipment provided by the surf school
- A swimming test at the start of the holiday
Times will vary according to tides and weather conditions. In the event of poor conditions making surfing impossible, cancelled sessions will be rescheduled by the provider or replaced by multi-sports sessions.
Activities and visits
A variety of activities and visits/excursions are organised in addition to the surf sessions:
- 1 practical visit to the town on the Monday of arrival
- 1 cultural visit per week (1/2 day excursion on Wednesday afternoon and/or 1 full day excursion on Saturday to Bayonne, Saint-Jean-de-Luz, Biarritz, Hendaye for stays of more than 1 week)
- 2 activities per week, on Wednesday afternoons and Saturdays, to enable students to practise their French together (football, beach volleyball competitions, quizzes, photo competitions, treasure hunts, etc.)
- 1 evening on Fridays to encourage exchanges between students. The other evenings are free, allowing you to spend more time with your host family.
All host families are carefully selected by the school on site and live within a maximum radius of 30 minutes of the school by public transport.
- Accommodation is in twin rooms and full board is provided
- Room shared with 1 student of a different mother tongue whenever possible
- Breakfast and dinner are taken with the host family
- Lunch is provided in the form of a packed lunch
Travel
Day of arrival: Sunday
Day of departure: Saturday
Please allow for arrival and departure between 12.00 and 18.00. For arrivals before 12.00 pm, a supplement may apply (please contact us).
Arrival station or airport:
Airports: Biarritz (free of charge) or San Sebastian (with supplement, see “prices and dates” tab).
Railway stations: transfers are possible from Irun or Hendaye railway stations (with supplement, see “fares and dates” tab).
Transfer: you can be met on arrival and taken back to the station or airport on departure (on request). This service is included in the price of your stay, but a supplement may be charged for arrivals after 11 p.m. If the school does not receive your travel details at least 2 weeks in advance, the transfer will not be organised.
Note: do not book your ticket until we have confirmed your stay.
Visa information
Do you need a visa to follow this programme? For more information, please see our Visa Information page.
Please do not hesitate to contact us by email or telephone if you require any further information.
Dates & Prices 2025
Dates 2025
Stays run from June 22 through August 16.
Courses start on Monday (arrival on Sunday, departure on Saturday).
Prices 2025
All taxes and registration fees included
| Prices including 20 lessons/week, family accommodation, surfing, activities & AR transfers from Biarritz) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Duration | Prices | |
| 1 week | € 1.195 | |
| 2 weeks | € 2.275 | |
| 3 weeks | € 3.410 | |
| 4 weeks | € 4.530 | |
| Transfers | One way | Return |
| From San Sebastian Airport | € 120 | € 215 |
| Accommodation supplements | ||
| Special diet (vegan, gluten-free, lactose-free, etc.) / week | € 55 | |
| Extra night (on request only) | € 55 | |
The above prices include:
- Courses as described
- Accommodation with a family in a shared room
- Full board
- Teaching material
- Surf sessions and other activities and excursions as described
- Return transfer from Biarritz airport or train station to the host family
- 24-hour supervision and assistance
- All school taxes and administrative costs
Not included:
- Travel to and from Biarritz
- Local transport card (allow €13 to €15 per week)
- Any visa fees
- Optional insurance
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