Surfing around Cherbourg and Le havre

[Danny boy]

I've found this site very helpful with collecting info for my september surfing trip to France. Im thinking of going to Le havre or Cherbourg. Would anyone be able to recommend which is better for a beginner surfer, and also I will be hiring a board so i'll need some surf shops close to the beach. My original plan was to get a ferry as a foot pasenger and leave the car at home, would this be realistic?
is it easy to get to the beaches?

Also could anyone one recommend any campsites in these areas?

[barrelled2perfection]

You will always find campsites around those areas as they are real popular for european holidays. My advice on the car front is, if you are going with mates, take a car as it may work out the same price if all 4/5 of you share the ferry price and at least it will give you a bit more freedom once you're over there to just nip down to the supermarket without preparing for a hike or just to head off to a different break if the conditions are better somewhere else, cos i can tell you, the french public transport is hardly reliable!!

as for cherbourg or Le Havre, its a tough one. I have look in the bible Stormriders Guide, and there seems to be a lot more open west-facing beaches to the west of cherbourg. Vauville is supposed to be a long beach that picks up any swell going, and cos its a beach break, should be ideal for beginners. No doubt they'll be some campsites and surf hire nearby. But make sure you watch where everyone else it surfing as it looks like there maybe a rip there in certain conditions.

Hope this is of some help....have fun!

[Danny Boy]

Thanks for the info, I think we are going to go Cherbourg now, and we will probably take a car as there will be 5 of us going. I know its a popular area for holiday makers but do you know if the nightlife is good around september time? is there many good bars and clubs in the cherbourg area?

Also I was thinking of buying the stormriders guide, does it give info about campsites or is it all about the beaches?

[frenchlili]

man, I was born in the area, pubs should be fun, but the night life might desapoint you a bit if your used to england ........welcome to try it though!!!