Kitesurfing France Atlantic coast

[dave1986]

We're looking at holidaying in France next summer (June or July). We'll be getting the ferry accross from the UK in our campervan with young children so don't want to drive as far as the Mediterranean coast...

Can anyone recommend the best areas on Atlantic coast for kitesurfing, kitefoiling and wingfoiling during June/ July?

Thanks in advance

[Thebigdan32]

Very odd - I was about to ask the same! Taking the family to Eurocamp near either Biaritz or between Montpellier and Perpingnon and keen to hear anyone’s experience of the May/June conditions

[alpaia]

Ferry from the UK to cherourg or roscoff ?
Brittany has a lot of treasures, in the summer it can be windy or not, but a lot of coastline and stuff to do with kids... don't drive south but west when you get off the ferry

[malotricks]

Consider Leucate, Beauduc and l'amanarre near Hyères in the South of France or Wissant in the North.

You could have some good wind and beautiful spots in French Brittany Coast or in Normandy (spots in Cotentin near Cherbourg). However in the summer it is a bet as you can have good wind or no wind due to the weather.

Summer like in UK, is not the best wind season.

[Regis-de-giens]

We're looking at holidaying in France next summer (June or July). We'll be getting the ferry accross from the UK in our campervan with young children so don't want to drive as far as the Mediterranean coast...

Can anyone recommend the best areas on Atlantic coast for kitesurfing, kitefoiling and wingfoiling during June/ July?

Thanks in advance

I like Lacanau.
You Can kite on the océan, very wiiiiide sand beaches , waves, thermic wind fréquent:


, and also vary and kitesurf (or foil but some hidden shallow water here and there ) on the lake of Lacanau, flat fresh water and warmer. Safe launch area with grass.


Both spots are 10-15 km distance.

[DonaldM]

Very little wind on the Atlantic coast (below la rochelle) in summer. We had none down there during our last trip of 5 weeks, not even foilable. Great for surfing tho. Not sure if it would be my first choice to go with kids as the ocean can be pretty rough and currenty.

Brittany etc. Is brilliant if the wind blows and super beautiful. But summertime there ain't much wind either (more than south tho). I guess if you want a sure thing for wind I would recommend the leucate area, that's where we drove to, tho it can be hot as hell and pretty touristy.

Beauduc is also so cool with a van, really an experience. The drive there through the salt and flamingos. Beautiful. Mostly foilable wind. Read up on it, it's not that much further.

[alunj]

In summer leucate area is the most reliable bet
The Atlantic coast has never delivered for me in July august
A few sessions at the cote sauvage a few near royan but really hit and miss we spent many happy windy summers at leucate and la franqui . It’s easy to escape the tourist crowds

I’d also add beauduc ( I learnt there in 1999 !!! ) but it’s not a spot you can easily camp with family . Access has been restricted more and more in the last years but it’s a fantastic place .

There are also a lot of bans in July and august in the more touristic areas like sw atalantic and Brittany

[dave1986]

In summer leucate area is the most reliable bet
The Atlantic coast has never delivered for me in July august
A few sessions at the cote sauvage a few near royan but really hit and miss we spent many happy windy summers at leucate and la franqui . It’s easy to escape the tourist crowds

I’d also add beauduc ( I learnt there in 1999 !!! ) but it’s not a spot you can easily camp with family . Access has been restricted more and more in the last years but it’s a fantastic place .

There are also a lot of bans in July and august in the more touristic areas like sw atalantic and Brittany

Thanks Alun,

Did you drive from UK to Leucate, or fly? If you drove, how is the drive? I'm tempted, but such a long way especially with 2 small children.

[alunj]

We always drove ; have a camper now !
First few times were to eurocAmp tho with kids of ages 1 and 2

Took ferry to Caen then motorway
You can do it in a day depending on ferry time .
Taking tunnel again can be done in a day but it’s long and the tolls mount up . Tho most of the central motorway is free and going over the Millau bridge is a a must do !