The French coast in the north and west is very diverse. It stretches from the English Channel (La Manche) with its historic harbours such as Calais and Cherbourg to the rugged, windy Brittany and the long sandy beaches of the Atlantic coast to the Bay of Biscay and the Basque Country with its surf spots and the Dune of Pilat. The entire coast is characterised by a mild, oceanic climate, strong winds and culture. The Atlantic also forms the border with the North Sea and bears witness to its past with historic buildings such as the Atlantic Wall.