43° 47′ NB, 1° 24′ WL
Located in the Bordeaux region and known as an excellent surfing destination for novice surfers is the legendary Vieux-Boucau. In the summer months this village is a bustling surfing destination with more than enough to do outside of surfing. In this travel guide we describe what Vieux Boucau has to offer in terms of food, parties and shopping. Apart from the fact that Vieux-Boucau is an amazing surfing destination, it is also known for its beautiful beach towns, cozy center, typical markets and many nice restaurants and bars. Read on and make sure you go to this amazing destination well prepared!
Food in Vieux Boucau
After a long day at the beach, the first thing you want is to eat a hot plate of food to restore your energy levels. You are in the right place in Vieux Boucau! With more than enough restaurants where there is something to be found for everyone.
- Le Pub Mail (lunch & diner )
This nice restaurant is located in the center of the lively center of Vieux Boucau. During the SurfaWhile Surf Trip in the summer of 2019 this was the place to get to work with a good cup of coffee. You can also have a great lunch here! During the day it is often a bit quieter, in the evening it gets busier and cocktails are also served! In addition, there is very fast Wi-Fi, something that is not always available in the surf camps.
- Captain Bar (lunch & diner)
This restaurant is perfect for when you don’t want to walk far from the beach for your meal. It is one of the most crowded places on the beach, but you will get a great experience in return. This restaurant is located directly on the beach, so you can perfectly sit on the terrace in your swimsuit or bikini. The food is well priced and very diverse, and it is also great to have a drink or some cocktails while watching the sun set on the ocean.
Market
In Vieux-Boucau there is a cozy market in the summer months with local products and typical French items. This market can be found every Tuesday and Saturday between 9 am and 1 pm in the center of the village. Very nice if you want to experience some French culture and want to mix with the locals. The products can be a bit pricey, but the market is also a nice place to just have a stroll.
- Adres: Parking de la Grand’Plage, Vieux-Boucau-les-Bains, Landes
Party in Vieux Boucau
What is a sleepy village in the winter months, becomes a vibrant nightlife area in the summer months. Because of the surf camps it is always busy in the bars where you can party until late at night.
- Le Mojito
The permanent site of lots of the surf camps where every evening is a party. If the surf camps have to be quiet at 11 p.m. it starts to come alive here (you can also come for lunch or dinner). This cozy bar right on the beach serves cocktails for good prices, among other things. The name may have already betrayed it, but the mojito is a must try!
- Le Calicobra
Renamed the “Kale Cobra” (bald cobra in Dutch) and definitely worth a visit during a surfing holiday in Vieux Boucau. This bar has an indoor / outdoor concept, there is an indoor and outdoor area that merges into each other in a fun way. Not of secondary importance, there is an extensive cocktail and drinks menu. It can get pretty busy, but it adds to the atmosphere!
Shopping in Vieux Boucau
You are also in the right place for shopping in Vieux Boucau! Don’t expect long shopping streets with luxury brands, but you don’t have to look far for some surf gear! There are 3 surf shops, all with an extensive range of clothing, surf gear and skate / longboards. But the favorite of SurfaWhile is still Wishbone Surf Shop. This shop is located right in the center (near Le Pub Mail) and has a large selection of surfboards and an experienced staff who can give good advice where needed.
In short, there is plenty to do in Vieux-Boucau, especially compared to Moliets, which is 10 minutes from Vieux-Boucau. Here you will find a bit more Local markets and shops where in Moliets it is largely geared towards tourists. Viex-Boucau is truly worth a visit if you are not staying in this town as there is a certain feeling of authenticity about it. The local high street is quaint but extremely fun to wander around as tiny boutique shops are spattered around. Grab a breakfast of hot pastries and fresh coffee from the traditional basque markets before jumping into the waves or picking up souvenirs for your family.