Surf: Seminal Brittany surfspot with ultra-consistent, walled-up peak breaking beside rocky headland. Shorter but hollower rights break into the rip known as "the elevator" which flows straight to the peak. Lefts speed down the beach, but paddle back can be gruelling, so think about walking around to the rip. Many more breaks further north along beach at Tronoën or Penhors and mellow rights at the La Torche point at the end of Audierne Bay. Environment: Ultra-crowded with all surf craft on weekends. Massive parking and all the facilities for a family day at the beach. Surf: General: Brittany, in Northwest France, has closer historical links to its Celtic cousin Cornwall than to the rest of the French homeland. The close association is especially clear in the geography of the region: sandy bays punctuated by rocky headlands and outcrops.

La Torche is one of the most consistent beachbreaks in the region due to its exposure to the regular northwesterly swells that pound the coastline. The sandbar here regularly churns a long left, which walls for up to 200 meters, and an often-hollow right that breaks towards the point, conveniently petering out into the rip. If it's on, it will be busy. The fact that Pointe de la Torche is also a popular spot for windsurfers hints at some of its drawbacks. Tides: All tides Size: Waist high to overhead Wind: Southeast, East Swell: NW, W, SW Bottom: Sand with rocky patches. Paddling: Normally not too bad but can be a bunch of current on certain swells. Spot Rating: Consistent and can be good on the right swell. Access: Easy with plenty of parking. Crowds: Crowd Factor: Large local crew and especially busy in the summer months. Local Vibe: Friendly. Environment: Not bad. Hazards: Current can get strong depending on the swell. Season: Autumn and winter when the North Atlantic storm track is most active.