Top 10 best kitesurfing destinations in France

The southern Mediterranean coast of France boasts numerous world-class kitesurfing sites. Kitesurfing conditions are typically ideal from Hyères in Provence to Leucate-La Franqui in the Languedoc.

Plage Les Coussoules and Plage La Franqui constitute a 10-kilometer stretch of beautiful sandy beach on the Languedoc-Roussillon coast, 36 kilometres from Perpignan. Leucate is a well-known kitesurfing location that holds the annual Mondial Du Vent competition in April. Go in the spring (March-April) or fall (September-October), when the beach is less busy and you may enjoy the full exhilaration of the Tramontana breeze. No need to fear, Tramontana; the wind blows here around 300 days every year. You're never far from a superb bar or a good restaurant in Southern France. Head to La Franqui for a steak at Fish & Blues, a pizza at PizzAddict, or delicious seafood at L'Etang. After dinner enjoys the terrace of your lodge at Viglamo Domaine Presqu'île de la Franqui or has a late-night drink and snack at trendy bar Le Kat. 

There are numerous excellent kite spots along France's Atlantic coast. Lacanau, located just west of Bordeaux, is perhaps the finest of them. Bordeaux is a must-see city in France and is readily accessible by vehicle, aircraft (Bordeaux airport), or high-speed rail. The surf is concentrated around the Plage Centrale and the Plage de la Grande Escoure, both of which are located on the Étang de Lacanau (lake) and have warmer water and milder breezes. Lacanau is a popular summer getaway with plenty of decent camping spots. This one is right on the Plage Nord (North Beach): Yelloh Camping Les Grands Pins.

If you're new to kite surfing, Almanarre beach near Hyères is an excellent spot to start. The beach is 5 kilometres long and is part of the Giens peninsula. This is the Côte d'Azur, and it is thus highly popular with surfers and kite surfers from France and around the globe searching for long sandy beaches, shallow waters, excellent winds and a long season (May-October), and nearby attractions like Saint Tropez, Ramatuelle, and Cavalaire. The airport of Toulon-Hyères is easily accessible. Campéole Camping Eurosurf is great camping right on the beach on the other side of the peninsula, opposite the Île de Porquerolles. Rent a mobile home, chalet or lodge tent and enjoy the sunshine!

Saint-Laurent-du-Var is a few kilometres from Cagnes-sur-Mer and a short distance from Nice Airport. Kitesurfers and visitors will enjoy the sandy beach and its closeness to several of the Cote d'Azur's top attractions. When the airport protects the estuary mouth from waves, flat water freeride conditions may be found in Saint-Laurent-du-Var. A small beach bordered by palm trees makes kite launching and landing difficult for novices. If you want to go camping, Camping Magali is located approx 6 km inland but gets mixed reviews for cleanliness.

The Lac de Serre Poncon was built in the early 1970s by damming the lower Durance river in Hautes-Alpes. The location is known for having wind so consistent that you can set your watch by it, and it wasn't long before windsurfers and, more recently, kitesurfers found their benefits. Kitesurfing in Serre Poncon is ideal between March and July. The mornings are serene, and the lake is as smooth as a bottle, ideal for wakeboarding or supping.

If the wind isn't blowing, there are lots of other sports nearby, such as whitewater rafting, downhill mountain biking, climbing, and trekking. Alternatively, you may stay on the lake and enjoy some wakeboarding or stand-up paddleboarding.

In a strong south-easterly, the wind may whip up some good waves in front of the breakwaters at La Ciotat. If the conditions are favourable in the summer, kitesurfing is prohibited within 300 metres of the beach in July and August. The long, thin sandy beach runs next to the road, with little area for setting up. In the winter, it's not uncommon to see people rigging up on the esplanade near the road, and in an easterly, you virtually have to since there's no beach left. If you plan to launch from the beach without the guidance of an instructor, you should have some prior expertise. It's just too simple to get trapped here.

Local kitesurfing schools offer boat support and will take you out beyond the 300 m limit where the wind is more steady and less gusty. You're no longer amid the breaking waves, but you have a lot more room and can enjoy a leisurely open-water blast.

Le Ja is open all year and has between 250 and 300 days of wind each year, making it one of the windiest sites in France. From January through December, the Mistral blows northwesterly. There is a thermal westerly during July and August that you can nearly set your watch to. During low pressure, a southeasterly breeze blows from time to time, notably in October and November. Professionals may cut through the crystal water along the gorgeous sand and shell strip. If you're a newbie, you should use extreme caution in these situations unless you have a boat back up. The lagoon is massive, and if your upwind riding abilities aren't on point, you may easily get blasted out into deep water. In summer, there’s a campsite right next to the spot where you can eat and sleep.

Beauduc's u-shaped harbour, persistent south-westerly thermal, and steady northerly Mistral refers to the ability to kite in practically any wind direction. Only a strong easterly blows immediately off the coast. Because of the low lying topography across the salt flats, the wind is unbroken and not overly gusty. The Mistral blows cross-shore and can cause tiny waves if it is strong enough, which it frequently is. The ideal months to visit are between April and October, with June and July being the busiest. Because there are no man-made structures on the beach, the main dangers are parked automobiles and other kitesurfers; despite the large expanse of sand, it may get quite busy on a windy day in July.

 You may camp on the beach, and because the Med isn't tidal, you won't get inundated unless a strong south-westerly wind blows. Beauduc is a nature reserve, and camping on the dunes behind the beach is not permitted, so carry a windbreaker. You can no longer drive down to the beach or carefully position your tent behind a campervan. If you don't want to pitch a tent, there are a few places to stay in Salins-de-Giraud that welcome kitesurfer. 

We recommend staying in Camping Place De La Brise. Because of its exceptional location in Saintes Maries de la Mer, on the beach, between the sea and the wild Camargue. Its equipment and the friendly hospitality of its teams are your guarantees for a memorable stay.

Les Coussoules is regarded as one of Europe's premier kitesurfing locations. The super-reliable Tramontana wind provides excellent conditions for wind sports, and the annual 'Mondial du Vent' is held here. Youri Zoon, a Dutch pro kiteboarder, describes Les Coussoules as "a unique, pure riding area." When the Tramontana kicks in with vigour, typically reaching speeds of over 40 knots, expert freeride and freestyle kiters are on cloud nine. When the wind shifts, the water becomes wavy, but unless it's cross-offshore, the waves tend to crash onto the beach.

Park around 300 metres away, near the Camping des Coussoules. The kitesurf zone is located in front of the lifeguard station.

L'Espiguette is a fantastic site with easy kiting conditions and plenty of room along the 10-kilometre coastline. It might get crowded in the summer because it is a designated kite zone. The beach is vast and free of obstacles, making it ideal for kitesurfers of all skills. The beach is wide, giving you plenty of room to set up your kite and practise flying it.

Swimmers and sunbathers congregate near the lifeguard tower throughout the summer. A 500-meter-long monitored swimming zone runs up the beach. Outside of this zone, kiting is prohibited. The lifeguards monitor the beach, but they're a pleasant lot, so if you're unsure, just ask, and they'll gladly send you in the correct direction.