Surf spots in the Vendée

Surfing is a sport that is practiced all year round. This is a complete sporting activity that allows you to enjoy the pleasures of the sea, with the magnificent Vendée “ Côte de Lumière ” as a backdrop.

Surfing combines balance, flexibility and brings a harmonious musculation of the body. It's a real dance in the waves, an encounter with the ocean, which thrills surfers! But it is also a state of mind and a culture. The Vendée coast conceals many treasures between its reefs, the rocky and steep areas of the coast, and its beach breaks, its beautiful sandy beaches. It is an ideal setting for all board sports and its wild character is very popular with surfers. The Vendée Guide has toured the best surf spots in the Vendée for you.

Photos of the article © Guide de la Vendée unless otherwise stated

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The Big Beach of Sables d'Olonne

The Grande Plage des Sables d'Olonne is one of the must-sees for surfing in Vendée. Its seaside resort atmosphere is particularly pleasant. The decor is super nice, with its old-fashioned beach huts. Surf conditions are more favorable at rising tide. In season, it is a very busy beach, so you have to be more careful with swimmers. You can rent equipment and take lessons at the Bahia Surf Shop (fr) or at the Sables d'Olonne Surfzone surf school, on the Promenade Georges Clémenceau.

Yes, when the sea is not oil, you can surf on the main beach, but that day, it was not possible!

The Dunes beach of Bretignolles-sur-Mer

Dunes beach is a good spot for beginners. The waves are easy to ride, the coastline is safe, and you don't have to worry too much about the tides. Two large car parks are at your disposal at each of the access roads to the beach. Two schools welcome you when you arrive on the dune: the Atlantic Lézard Surf School (fr) and Keep Cool Surfing.

Surfing on Bretignolles-sur-mer beach

The big beach in Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie

On the Grande Plage of Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie, you have access to all the comfort equipment, sports clubs, shops and usual services of seaside towns, and in particular the Semvie Nautisme surf school (fr). For experienced surfers, Sauzaie beach, at the end of the large beach, is more suitable.

To train, go to Glassy House (fr), a unique space in France with a modular artificial wave.

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The beaches of Longeville-sur-Mer

Les Conches beach allows you to enjoy a beautiful view of this long dune, while benefiting from all the town's services: restaurants, shops, large car park at the entrance to the beach... At the technical level, it offers nice waves, especially at a rising tide. The Longeville Surf Club (fr) offers you to learn surfing, but also bodyboard. Nearby, on Rocher beach you can surf both at low tide and high tide. On site, there is the Esprit Surf (fr) school.

Conches beach in Longeville-sur-Mer (photo by © Mairie de Longeville-sur-Mer)

Terrière beach in La-Tranche-sur-Mer

Just below Les Conches, La Terrière beach is a family spot, ideal for starting to surf. The car park, located right in front, is very convenient to keep all your belongings close at hand. Swimming is supervised there in season, which is reassuring when you start, but it is very busy. You can also practice all kinds of other sports there. There are two schools directly on the beach: the Lobstore Surf School (fr) and the Koa Surf School.

Beach of the Tranche-sur-Mer

The spots of Ile d'Yeu

The island of Yeu is famous for its wild coast and the setting is truly idyllic for surfing. However, there is no school or rental agency. The beaches allow beginners to train without danger. The rocky areas and the beautiful coves will satisfy more seasoned surfers, who will have fun in a natural and wild environment.

When conditions allow, you can surf on Ile d'Yeu, but you have to be careful of rocky areas

Barbâtre beach on Noirmoutier island

On the beach of Barbâtre, you can practice surfing at ebb tide. As on the Ile d'Yeu, there is no school and other services nearby. It is a favorite spot for your fall outings, where the waves are more interesting.

The corniche between Saint-Jean-de-Monts and Saint-Hilaire-de-Riez

The long ledge that stretches from Saint-Jean-de-Monts to Saint-Hilaire-de-Riez is a beach break. This is a spot that ends on a sandbank, on the beaches of Golf, Les Demoiselles and Les Salins. For connoisseurs, the peak is near the Estacade. In Saint-Jean-de-Monts, the Ocean Surf Club (fr)organizes discovery sessions and annual courses.

Surfing competitions are held in Vendée. In 2013, the French Surfing Championship took place in Bretignolles-sur-Mer. In 2021, it's in Les Sables d'Olonne!

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There are many other spots in Vendée that we let you discover. We just have to wish you to enjoy the beach breaks, point breaks and reefs of the Vendée !

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