Those serious about surfing will certainly have heard about the small seaside town of Hossegor on the south-west coast of France – after all Hossegor is the location for the French stage of the World Surfing League Pro Tour every October. But Hossegor is not just a great spot to catch a wave. This small seaside town with a population of just 3500 can also boast the serene Hossegor Lake, some of France’s freshest food and the overall vibe of Hossegor is like a cocktail of French culture mixed with a dash of Hawaii, Los Angeles and Bondi Beach all thrown in for good measure. Delicious in so many ways. The place to stay is the newly renovated Les Hortensias du Lac, which looks out over the lake and is within walking distance of the beach. Tip: Take an afternoon walk around the lake and stop at the oyster bars along the way to tuck into freshly shucked oysters with a glass of wine while you watch the sunset.