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Kitesurf in France : all you need to know

France, an incredible country for kitesurfing, with a great variety of spots.

We ride all year round in France, according to depressions and thermals.

Impossible to define a best spot, there are so many.

High Season

All year round if you’re not too cold.

Required level

All levels

Best suited for

Group|Family|Couple

Budget

€€

Spots

Freeride, waves, freestyle.

Other activities

so many things

Why kitesurfing in France is a good choice ?

France is an incredible country for kiting. With all the coasts it has, there is an absolutely incalculable number of spots.

Even within each region, the choice is always difficult, and is made according to the conditions.

Best period and spots to kite in France

There are many regions for kiting:

    • The southeast and its gusty mistral and tramontane regime. This is where you should go if you like strong wind and want to get up in the air doing Big Air. In this region, the wind regularly blows beyond 25 knots, and there are many flat spots around the ponds of Leucate, La Palme, La Franqui, or even near the city of Sète.

 

    • The southwest receives wind mainly from the oceanic depressions coming from the Atlantic in autumn, which is probably the best season to catch some nice gusts (the further you go above the Garonne, the more wind you will have). In this region as well, whether it’s waves or flat, there’s something for everyone. In summer, you will have to hope for rather unpredictable thermal winds in the region. I have sometimes spent beautiful and long hours on the beach waiting for them.

 

    • Brittany is a huge playground for the kitesurfing community. You have the choice between North Brittany and South Brittany. The latter is generally better exposed to the prevailing westerly winds and swell. But North Brittany sometimes hosts some nice north flows, which animate incredible spots in the region. If you are looking for the best kitesurfing spots in Brittany, follow the guide.

 

    • In Normandy and up to the Belgian border, the beaches are vast, and the wind blows well in the region. Large flat basins form at low tide, revealing high-quality spots.

 

    • Cotentin is an underrated little paradise for kitesurfing in France. Yet you can ride everywhere, in all wind conditions, and especially in often quite wild settings. Far from the overpopulation of some spots, discover the best kitesurfing spots in Cotentin.

 

    • Corsica also regularly benefits from great conditions for great sessions on paradisiacal spots, an adventure definitely worth trying!

 

If we kite all year round in France, it’s because we equip ourselves with thick wetsuits, and passion keeps us warm!

Discover the kite spots in France

Sables Blancs

A flat spot, on-side on in east wind.
Best season : All year
Spot type : Flat

Figari bay

A vast playground in the bay of Figari
Best season : From May to September
Spot type : Flat, choppy

Pinarello

A great flat spot in the south of Corsica
Best season : From May to September
Spot type : Flat

Piantarella

A small kite paradise in a turquoise lagoon
Best season : From May to September
Spot type : Flat

La Tonnara

A kite surfing spot in the southwest of Corsica for experienced surfers.
Best season : From May to September
Spot type : Waves

Balistra

A perfect flat kitesurf spot in Corsica, with a white sandy beach and turquoise sea.
Best season : From May to September
Spot type : Flat

Santa Manza

A wild kitesurf spot in a bay in Corsica, suitable for intermediate to advanced riders.
Best season : From May to September
Spot type : Flat

Banc du Bucheron

Magical spot on the island of Ré, very flat.
Best season : All year
Spot type : Flat

Diamond Head

A surf spot in the north of the island of Ré, which also welcomes kite surfing enthusiasts.
Best season : All year
Spot type : Flat, waves

Le Martray

Freeride spot in the center of the Île de Ré.
Best season : All year
Spot type : Choppy

Kerhilio

Great surf spot when the swell comes in.
Best season : All year
Spot type : Waves

Kerguelen

An ideal spot for freeride and waves near Lorient.
Best season : All year
Spot type : Waves

Fort Bloqué

Freeride or wave riding spot depending on the conditions
Best season : All year
Spot type : Flat, waves

Rivedoux

The first kite spot when you arrive on the island of Ré
Best season : All year
Spot type : Flat, choppy

Wimereux

A good wave spot in Nord Pas de Calais, well frequented.
Best season : All year
Spot type : Flat, waves

Le Men Du

A great flat spot on the Carnac side, very dependent on the tide.
Best season : All year
Spot type : Flat, choppy

Penthièvre

Kitesurf spot more focused on waves above Quiberon.
Best season : All year
Spot type : Flat, choppy, waves

Les crevettes

A spot rather oriented towards surfing, with smaller swell than in the surrounding area.
Best season : All year
Spot type : Flat, waves

Sainte Barbe

Sainte Barbe is a surf spot above Quiberon.
Best season : All year
Spot type : Waves

Bray Dunes

A great spot in Normandy as we like them with its huge beach.
Best season : All year
Spot type : Flat, choppy, waves

What we love most

Drawbacks

  • Diversity of spots
  • Beauty of the country and its landscapes
  • All-year-round outfit
  • The wind can sometimes be a bit capricious

Our best advices to travelers

How to get there ?

If you’re French, you’re already there!

Otherwise, once you arrive in Paris, the train stations easily serve cities throughout France, heading towards the best kite spots.

Formalities

  • Mandatory vaccines: No specific vaccines required for entry
  • Visa requirements: American and British nationals can stay in France for up to 90 days without a visa. For longer stays, a visa is required.
  • Electrical adapter: Type C and E electrical outlets are used in France, which are different from those in the US and UK. An adapter may be needed.
  • Official language: French
  • Currency: Euro (EUR)

Additional tips

Renting a car is preferable, especially when you’re lugging around your equipment.

In summer, it is important to inquire about restrictions. Many municipalities restrict the practice of kitesurfing during the summer period. The risk is a fine and confiscation of equipment.

What are the best non kitesurfing activities ?

Outside of kitesurfing, there are a million things to do depending on the region you are in.

From exploring local markets and trying new cuisines to hiking through national parks and relaxing on pristine beaches, the possibilities are endless.

Whether you are in a bustling city or a remote coastal town, there is always something exciting to discover and experience.