The north end of Le Penon, where the built-up part of Seignosse Plage ends.
// The name
Agréou (also spelled agréu or agréule) means holly in the Landes Gascon dialect, that spiky-leaved shrub. Same family of place names as the Bourdaines, names drawn from local plant life rather than a legend to tell.
// The spot
Agréou is the north end of Le Penon's car park, the last spot before the built-up stretch of Seignosse Plage ends. Where parking can turn into a real headache elsewhere on this coast, Agréou has a large car park with no height limit, happily fitting motorhomes and vans. No surprise to find so many longboards here: easier to show up with a bulky board when parking isn't half the battle.
The waves are often the most sought-after in the area: long, consistent, lefts and rights. Sometimes hollow and fast, great for shortboards and experienced surfers. Sometimes soft and slow, great for longboards and beginners, depending on the day. Everything needs to line up (bank, wind, tide) for it to work, north-west swell and east wind are pretty much essential. Less crowded than the spots further south, but more capricious too.
// Did you know?
Right next door, at Le Penon, hides a cult nightclub: L'Escargot, a snail-shaped building put up in the 1960s, a reference for electro and techno music on the Landes coast for 50 years. In his early days, Daniel Balavoine, then unknown, worked as a cleaner there, and Johnny Hallyday used to try sneaking in without paying. If you go surfing early in the morning, don't be surprised to spot a few figures asleep on the sand, still fully dressed. Le Wharf, right nearby, even has its own golf simulator for those who want to mix things up between sessions. One useful reminder: like along the whole Landes coast, sleeping in your vehicle is banned here, from 10pm to 8am. Fines are handed out, checks are frequent in season.
// Who it's for
Same choices as at Le Penon right next door. A hut with a surf school is set up on site, along with Le Cabanon, for food or a drink.
Board Garage delivers straight to the spot, boards shaped by local craftsmen. Depending on the day, a Mid-Length or a Longboard for softer conditions, a well-shaped shortboard once it gets hollow.
Book your board for l'Agréou →// Practical info
GPS: 43°42'40.9"N, 1°25'49.1"W
Large car park (2 hectares) with no height limit, beach access via a path at the foot of the dune.
Eco-friendly toilets on site. No shade in the car park, bring water in summer.