Stormriding N. France

Forecasting

Swell

The wavering jet stream decides the trajectory of the north Atlantic low pressure systems. It usually corridors twice the swell size in winter, as the storms track in at lower latitudes. This produces more W or even SW swell for the Brittany region, averaging around 12ft (4m), which then envelops a twisted coastline with enough nooks and crannies to tame most unruly winter days. Flip the summer switch and the low pressures scoot up towards Scandinavia, leaving the Brittany reefs devoid of energy, forcing the locals to head to the exposed west-facing beaches and turning the Channel spots into just that - a dead flat channel. © 2013 ~Erwan Crouan~

Forecasting

Wind

The Channel breaks can use a stiff onshore to help with wave heights and when the big swells show up, so do the winds usually. From Nov-March, the dominant winds blow more SW than straight W which is cross offshore at hotspots like Etretat. This coast struggles to post surfable days above a 25% ratio and wind speeds hover between 20 and 40mph (32-65kmh) far too often. Onshore winds often spoil the party for much of the French coast in winter unless you are surfing the contorted peninsulas of Normandy, Brittany and Finisterre, where the dominant SW-W-NW winds will be offshore somewhere. Wind speeds exceed 20mph (32kmh) for 70% of Nov, Dec and Jan on the exposed western beaches, yet there are still opportunities to score light land breezes with E in them. Head into spring and it seems the whole French coast is in a messy transition as more NE days chop up the waves and and a complete dearth of 5 star surf days occurs from the Channel to Spain. © 2013 ~Erwan Crouan~

Forecasting

Wind

Summers in Brittany can be very hit and miss, but the winds flatten off with less NW and can come in from a wider range of directions. Channel days in summer are just about impossible, unless the NW-NE blows strong enough to raise a waist-high windchop. These NW onshores slowly relent through the best surfing months of autumn when crisp, cool mornings can keep the offshores blowing all day and clean or even glassy conditions are common. Days are often book-ended by light E winds and throughout September can see some late hurricane swells arrive from the US east coast and begin the procession of mid-latitude depressions spinning across the Atlantic. October will be solid and November is often the best month for 5 star surf from Brittany to the Basque country providing the wind doesn't get too frisky. © 2013 ~Erwan Crouan~

Forecasting

Tides

The macro-tides are a big issue across France, hitting 9m (30ft) in the Channel and diminishing to about 4.6m (15ft) on a spring tide down south, so tide tables are an essential tool. Many Normandy spots are completely tide dependent, with short mid or high tide windows of opportunity and a tendency to completely disappear at low. Brittany also suffers from this constant shifting of the goalposts with a mix of low and high tide only breaks, but very few all tide breaks. The rocks, reefs and islets can conspire with the tide to create some extreme rips and currents at certain spots and water temps get down to single figures on the Channel coast. Little changes down through Morbihan and Loire Atlantique where most of the reefs only work for a few hours at certain tides, but the beachbreaks of Vendee and Charentes are more flexible. © 2013 ~Kristen Pelou~

The Surf

Normandy and beyond

The Channel coastline of Normandy and La Manche requires the biggest W swells or locally produced windswell to create any worthwhile rides. It lacks both power and consistency, but it's the closest surf to Paris and the chalk cliff scenery is a stunningly unique backdrop. The most consistent area is the northern part of the Cotentin Peninsula, which faces due W, while the coast of Normandy works mostly in SW storms. The premier spot of Etretat is perfectly aligned to pick up the SW swell and deflect the strong accompanying SW winds in a cross-shore direction, keeping the lefts clean in a gale. Some of the Channel spots also break on short fetch NW-NE wind-chop, when onshore wind is essential to wave creation. Winter is the best time to score anything decent, but the mega tides, heavy rips and freezing water temperatures challenge even the hardiest surfers. © 2013 ~NOAR~

Normandy Hotspot

Etretat

Beneath the world-famous rock formation 'l'Aiguille Creuse' (the hollow needle), Etretat is a consistent mid tide peak that favours lefts. Best on wrapping SW swells, but also works on NE windchop. SW winds are cross-offshore and it maintains some shape even when onshores blow in. Beware the shallow inside and fierce shorepound. Always crowded on weekends so a little localism is possible. Difficult parking. Webcam. © 2013 ~Sylvain Baret~

The Surf

North Brittany

Brittany, France's most westerly region boasts a wide swell window and should attract the lion's share of Atlantic swells to its 1500km of rugged coastline. Converting this promising aspect into good surf is a bit harder to guarantee, since tides of up to 14m, swirling currents and offshore islands have a negative effect on the waves. The high cliffs and indented estuaries of the North Brittany coast hide many a fickle reef where local knowledge is indispensable. © 2013 ~Kristen Pelou~

Brittany Hotspot

Le Petit Minou

A hollow beachbreak with more rocks on the southern part known as 'Les Moules'. Fun, curvy walls and smackable lips appear on any S-NW swell with any N wind offshore. Low tide only spot just helps to concentrate the extreme weekend crowds, due to Brest's proximity. Home of Kana Beach surfwear brand. © 2013 ~Kristen Pelou~

The Surf

South Brittany

The jagged coast gives way to larger bays, low lying land and longer stretches of beach in Southern Brittany. The centrally located Crozon Peninsula is the main surfing hub, focusing on some very consistent beachbreaks and a few pointbreaks as well. The SW tip of the départment is home to the famous spot La Torche, but consistency quickly drops as the coast swings to face south along the Morbihan coast. Such a contorted coastline means if there is swell, there will be waves somewhere, whatever the wind is doing, but allow plenty of time for navigating the slow roads and fast tides. Autumn to spring should be the best window of opportunity, although exposed beaches will often be good in summer with a pushing tide. © 2013 ~Kristen Pelou~

Brittany Hotspot

Pointe de Dinan

A scenic spot with a performance right breaking over uneven reef. Protected from N winds, it holds some size and rides can be 200m long. Boils and dry rocks at low tide and slalom skills needed when small. There are some lefts in the bay that break hollow on the pushing tide over a sand/rock mix. © 2013 ~Kristen Pelou~

Brittany Hotspot

La Palue

Wide open, west-facing beachbreak that picks up all available swells. Usually messy and weaker at low tide before lining up on the push past mid. Long walls and the odd barrel section make it a fun intermediate spot. The most consistent and regularly crowded spot on the Crozon peninsula. Many campervans and a friendly atmosphere despite the crowds. At low tide check Lostmarc'h, just to the north, which is rideable up to 3m (10ft). © 2013 ~Kristen Pelou~

Brittany Hotspot

Pointe de Lervily

Two rights break over shallow reef; one close to the Island of Cows and another in the bay. Needs W or SW swell at decent size to break at Ile Aux Vaches and it will handle some size. Not really a barrel but fast and ledgey, requiring speed and skill to negotiate. Inconsistent and sometimes crowded at small take-off spot. Shallow with rocks popping up and boils plus strong swirling currents exiting the bay - experts only. © 2013 ~Erwan Crouan~

Brittany Hotspot

La Torche

Seminal Brittany surfspot with ultra-consistent, walled-up peak breaking beside rocky headland. Shorter but hollower rights break into the rip known as 'the elevator' which flows straight to the peak. Lefts speed down the beach but the paddle back can be gruelling. Many more breaks further north along beach at Tronoën or Penhors and mellow rights at the La Torche point at the end of Audierne Bay. © 2013 ~Erwan Crouan~

Brittany Hotspot

La Côte Sauvage

A concentration of some of the best spots in Brittany, with some hollow and powerful waves on a 2km stretch. Port-Blanc is the first bay, gets some N wind shelter from a cliff and will probably be the busiest spot. Port Marie breaks far offshore and Port-Rhu is a well-defined, localised peak, while Port-Bara is more accessible. Some reef anchors the sandbars and large clusters of rock affect the line-up at high tides, so exit before dead high. Handles size, when the waves and rips get punishing - not for improvers. Often crowded on weekends. © 2013 ~Kristen Pelou~

The Surf

Pays de la Loire

Made up of the two départments Loire Atlantique and Vendée (otherwise known as Côte de Lumière). Lumière means 'light' and it's a fact that this stretch of coastline receives the highest sunshine hours on the French Atlantic. It's an intriguing mix of Brittany's broken up coastline and Aquitaine's long straight sand dunes, with a good selection of underrated waves. The continental shelf extends out into the Bay of Biscay and there is a bit of a N-NW swell shadow from Brittany, so the beachbreaks don't quite have the power of the more famous spots further south. Proximity to some large cities ensures year-round crowds at the best spots, but this coastline is often overlooked by travelling surfers heading south. Spring to autumn for the beachbreaks. © 2013 ~Julien Gazeau~

Vendée Hotspot

La Sauzaie

Short but exceptional, seaweed-covered reef offers superb tubular sections and overall brilliant waves. Always bigger and more powerful than surrounding beaches thanks to the shape of the reef. Lots of little slots on the rights and lefts but it can also handle some size when rumbling walls offer an open canvas. Shifts around a bit and keeps everyone guessing with lots of backdooring the peak. Handles a bit of onshore wind and can get close to the rocks and cliff at high tide on a smaller day. It's a regular contest site and the crowd is very competitive on any given day. Landmarks include the yellow La Sauzaie buoy and the impressively tall Polynesian style wood totem of a surfer and board called Le Motaï by artist Manou. The super shallow rights of 'Killer' are immediately to the north. © 2013 ~Julien Gazeau~

The Surf

Poitou-Charentes

Some interesting rocks and flat slab reefs can be found, particularly on the islands in the area. Winter swells and winds divert the focus to the island breaks and reefs that offer some protection. © 2013 ~Bernard Choquet~

Charente-Maritime Hotspot

Chassiron

Peaks break over a rocky, uneven shelf leading into long walled lefts and shorter rights at lower tides only. Get out at mid tide before the surge over the reef. It's Oleron's premier spot and highly consistent but violent rips and shallow rocky bottom should deter the less skilled. Botties protect against urchins on the long walk over the channelled fishing reef. © 2013 ~Bernard Choquet~

Photographers

Kristen Pelou Erwan Crouan Julien Gazeau Bernard Choquet Sylvain Baret

Forecast Resources

Brittany Wave Buoy Channel Forecasts North Brittany Forecasts South Brittany Forecasts Pays-de-la-Loire Forecasts

Further Information

The Stormrider France eBook Text extracts taken from the forthcoming print edition of The Stormrider Surf Guide France, featuring new and larger photos, expanded introductions and completely revised break reports. Available Spring 2012. © 2013 ~Erwan Crouan~