There’s a handful of houses grouped together behind the dunes of the Contis-plage beach, and the grey metal one in particular is an outstanding spot for anyone looking for a quality meal. After years working careers that kept them too far from the sea, Marine Berque and Baptiste Roullet-Renoleau created their dream épicerie right here in Saint-Julien-en-Born. The result? An extensive selection of things to drink (100 natural wines, Vivant kombuchas and house beers), fresh products (a window display of charcuterie and cheese from the Ossau region) and a carefully-chosen épicerie section (Matshi condiments, Komi spice mixes, jugs of Kaïa olive oil, local prepared dishes – baby squid cooked in squid ink, axoa…), organic pasta from the Ferme du Point du Jour, funky chips from Madrid… Everything you might need for a stylish picnic after your surf sesh! // Jean Pascal 

The hidden gem: Mitchut pastis landais, a big cake infused in rum that’s often imitated but never equaled (€6.90 for an individual 250-gram cake or €13 for a 560-gram cake).