Biarritz French Language School Reception, France

Biarritz French Language School Communal Area, France

Biarritz French Language School Classroom, France

French Surf and Study

For students 15–17 years old, our Surf and Study courses are an excellent way of giving young people the opportunity to spend time in France learning and enjoying the activities provided by the language school.

The language school provides great supervision whilst giving young people the chance to learn the language, enjoy the local beaches and experience French culture. This course includes surfing lessons with fully qualified instructors during the afternoons. From beginners to expert surfers, the only requirement is that you can swim!

For 15–17 years olds, the course runs between 22/06/2025 and 16/08/2025 and can be booked from 1 week upwards.

This course also runs in the Spring for up to 2 weeks between 13/04/2025 and 27/04/2025

This course is Sunday arrival (after 1pm) and Saturday departure (before 12pm).

Location

The surf capital of Europe, cosmopolitan Biarritz is one of the most popular seaside resorts on the Atlantic coast and one of the most welcoming cities in France. Housed in completely refurbished premises, the language school enjoys an exceptional location just a few metres from the famous Côtes des Basques beach, the most famous beach in the region for surfing. The school is a short walk from the lively Halles district which houses the town’s many markets, restaurants, cafés and boutiques.

Language Course

The course comprises 20 French lessons which take place on weekday mornings. The classes are dedicated to students attending the Summer Camp and are divided into ability groups of up to 8 students in each class. The tuition is very much practice-oriented as students participate in group sessions alongside others of a similar level. Lessons focus on improving all aspects of the language: speaking, listening, reading and writing.

There will be a written test to complete before arrival and a speaking test on the first morning of lessons to ensure that students are placed in the correct group for their ability.

Activities

At the welcome meeting on the first day of the course students will receive a detailed weekly programme of activities with a timetable and meeting points. The Summer Camp activities include:

City tour on the first Monday for new students on the first Monday after arrival
One cultural visit per week (half-day excursion on Wednesday afternoon and / or a full day on Saturday in Bayonne, Saint Jean de Luz, Biarritz, Hendaye)
Social activities, fun and sports to allow students to practise French with others: football, beach volleyball, quiz, photo contest, treasure hunt, beach sports
Social evening to promote communication (such as beach games, bowling, cinema)

Surf Lessons

The Côte des Basques beach in Biarritz is a perfect surf spot for all levels. A few minutes’ walk from the city centre, the beach is framed by the cliffs with a breathtaking view of Spain and the mountains.

At low tide, the waves are small and long, ideal for beginners.

At high tide, the beach disappears to make way for the waves which get stronger and sometimes form rollers, allowing more experienced surfers the chance to have fun and develop their surfing skills.

All levels of surfing are catered for, from beginners upwards. Students receive:

4 surf lessons of 1.5 hours held on the on the famous Côte des Basques beach, a 5-minute walk from the school, and on Anglet beach. The timetable varies according to the tides and weather conditions. (During the Spring Camp 3 surf lessons are timetabled).
Fully-qualified instructors from partner surf schools Hastea and Uhaina provide lessons adapted to the needs and levels of the participants. The groups are no more than 8, and students are provided with all equipment (wetsuits and boards).

Accommodation

15–17 year old students are housed with carefully selected host accommodations in Biarritz who provide twin rooms and full board accommodation (breakfast, lunch and dinner).

During the Spring camp, host accommodation is offered on a half board basis.

You can read more about what it means to stay with a host in our Host Accommodation Guide. Older students get a little more responsibility as they navigate their way to and from their host accommodation every day. There are between 2 and 4 students per family, housed in twin rooms. All host families are within 30 minutes of the school.

Supervision

Group Leaders run the activity programme and supervise students. The supervision ratio is 1:8 for water activities and 1:12 for other activities and excursions.