Messanges is a popular surf spot located in the Landes region of France. It offers a mix of sandy beaches and scenic dunes, making it a nice place to hang out for a surf session. The area can get crowded, especially during the summer months, but there’s always room to find your space and enjoy the waves. The access is pretty straightforward with a walk over the dunes from the car park, though you should be aware of height restrictions there. If you're in a campervan, you can find a spot back in the trees.
The surf at Messanges can vary quite a bit, often displaying all moods of wave from onshore crumbly mess to the occasional morning A-frame barrels. The best swell direction is from the west, but it also picks up swells from the north. You can expect it to handle sizes starting from 1ft (about 0.3 meters). The waves break over sand, making it a beach break with both left and right waves available. The surf conditions can change rapidly with the tides, but generally, you’ll find it breaking nicely at low and mid tides. It's beginner-friendly, but you’ll want to pay attention to the sets, as the depth can vary, especially at high tide.
If you're planning to camp, there’s a spot at Le Vieux Port just south of Messanges, but this can lead to more crowded peaks. The preferable wind direction is from the east, so keep that in mind when you're checking the forecasts. Overall, it’s a good place for surfers of all levels, but you might have to be lucky with the sandbars for the best sessions.