Cap Fréhel.

The stretch of coastline beneath Cap Fréhel's striking multicoloured cliffs hides a cluster of peaks worth knowing. The area's two main options - La Fosse at Pléhérel beach and La Grève d'En Bas further along - offer different propositions. La Fosse is more forgiving and picks up swell reliably, making it the default option when the coast is flat. La Grève d'En Bas is the better wave, producing steeper, more defined peaks over a mixed reef and sand bottom with sections that can wall up nicely on a decent W swell. It breaks across all tides except low, when the shallow reef becomes a problem. Moderate-speed waves with some hollow sections and a tendency to well up rather than simply crumble make this a fun option for developing surfers. Solid W to NW swells are the trigger, and S winds are ideal - SW deteriorates conditions quickly, chopping up the peaks. The wave length sits in the 50-100m range, giving enough room to work a face without committing to a long paddle back. When a proper W swell arrives after a string of flat days, the lineup fills quickly. Crowds are the main limiting factor here - this part of Brittany has enough surfers that a good day draws numbers fast. Free roadside parking keeps access simple enough that weekend mornings can see the water busy before the swell even peaks.

Steeper peaks that wall up nicely over Brittany's mixed reef and sand.