Soorts-Hossegor
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Coordinates: 43°39′34″N 1°25′36″W / 43.6594444444°N 1.42666666667°W
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Commune of Soorts-Hossegor |
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| Location | |
  Soorts-Hossegor
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| Administration | |
|---|---|
| Country | France |
| Region | Aquitaine |
| Department | Landes |
| Arrondissement | Dax |
| Canton | Soustons |
| Mayor | Pierre Dussain (2001–2008) |
| Statistics | |
| Elevation | 0–55 m (0–180 ft) (avg. 10 m/33 ft) |
| Land area1 | 14.51 km2 (5.60 sq mi) |
| Population2 | 3,292 (1999) |
| - Density | 227 /km2 (590 /sq mi) |
| Miscellaneous | |
| INSEE/Postal code | 40304/ 40150 |
| 1 French Land Register data, which excludes lakes, ponds, glaciers > 1 km² (0.386 sq mi or 247 acres) and river estuaries. | |
| 2 Population sans doubles comptes: residents of multiple communes (e.g., students and military personnel) only counted once. | |
Soorts-Hossegor is a commune in the Landes department in Aquitaine in south-western France.
It is well known as a seaside resort and surfing center, considered as one of the best surfing locales in the world[1]. The city's economy is centered around surfing.
[edit] History
Until 1310, the mouth of the Adour was in the district of Capbreton-Hossegor. When the Vikings attacked the area in 840, they settled immediately in the deserted swamps around the mouth. At that time, the chief of the invaders was Asgeir. He gave his name to Hossegor and also to the next village Angresse.
Asgeir did not stay in Gascony where Björn, his half-brother, settled, but tried with Pepin II d'Aquitaine to conquer Aquitaine between Garonne and Loire. His main camp on the Charente River also wears his name.
Hossegor remained a whale hunting place until the 14th century. Hossegor is a part of the little town of Soorts whose name is also Scandinavian. Soorts has the same origin as Sortosville in Normandy.
[edit] Surfing
Recently Hossegor has become one of the premier surfing locations in Europe, with a series of world class beach breaks such as Gravière, La Nord, Capbreton, La Piste and Seignosse. It supports a thriving nightlife through the summer, centered at La Plage Centrale. It holds the Quiksilver Pro France contest every year in September.
 Plage Centrale. |
[edit] External links
- Official web site
- Website about Hossegor
- Personal website about Hossegor (in French)
- Practical information
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