France · Bretagne
48.59 | -2.17
Lancieux Bay is arguably the most versatile kitesurf spot on the Emerald Coast, renowned for working in all wind directions and at all tides — a rarity on this coast. Just 15 minutes from Saint-Malo, it's the reference spot of the region and the preferred teaching location for local schools.
The bay is sheltered by the Île des Hébihens to the northwest, the Saint-Jacut peninsula to the west, Pointe de Saint-Briac to the east and the Frémur estuary to the south. The vast sandy plateau exposed at low tide provides a shallow water surface, perfect for beginners — you can stand far from the shore.
Large tidal range (up to 12 m): the bay transforms with coefficients. Below coefficient 70, the zone remains rideable at any time. During spring tides, the launch area may disappear completely at high tide. FFVL-labeled spot. Seaweed can be present at certain periods.
The spot works year-round: 26 rideable days a month on average, at 16 °C. It peaks in July, with 349 hours of usable wind.
16-22 knots · 58% 22-30 knots · 38% 30-40 knots · 4% 40+ knots · under 1%
When the spot works, wind sits mostly between 16 and 22 knots — 58% of rideable hours. Big-kite territory. The coldest month is January, at 9 °C. The wettest month is November, with 34 mm. Bar height is the month's rideable days; the split shows how its wind hours break down by strength.
| Month | Rideable days | Usable wind | Temperature | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 22.7 | 180 h | 9 °C | 15 mm |
| February | 23.3 | 219 h | 11 °C | 15 mm |
| March | 28.3 | 288 h | 12 °C | 18 mm |
| April | 27.3 | 310 h | 14 °C | 21 mm |
| May | 29.3 | 350 h | 17 °C | 21 mm |
| June | 27.3 | 323 h | 20 °C | 18 mm |
| July | 29.7 | 349 h | 22 °C | 30 mm |
| August | 29.3 | 313 h | 23 °C | 22 mm |
| September | 24.7 | 243 h | 20 °C | 21 mm |
| October | 24.3 | 218 h | 18 °C | 25 mm |
| November | 23.7 | 209 h | 12 °C | 34 mm |
| December | 22.3 | 188 h | 9 °C | 26 mm |
Ridden here? One photo or video, and the spot comes alive for everyone discovering it.
Emeraude Kite — reference association for the Emerald Coast, spot management and responsible practice. emeraudekite.com
Evoride — itinerant school, lessons at Lancieux and Saint-Malo depending on conditions. Max 4 per group, integrated radios, April to November. evoride.fr
Club Nautique de Lancieux — partner with O'Rider school for kitesurf courses. Tel. +33 2 96 86 31 50
Drive through Lancieux village toward Ploubalay. At the windmill on your left, turn right — then straight ahead to the parking lot. 5-minute walk on a paved path.
In summer, the zone is marked — look for authorized launch points (shown in green on the Emeraude Kite map). Navigate in the center of the bay to avoid the many rocks along the edges. In season, the spot gets very crowded with southerly winds (only rideable spot in the area with this orientation) — manage space and maintain safe distances.
Open all year round
Intermediate
One of the very few spots in northern Brittany that works with southerly winds — but beware: with offshore winds, drift toward Jersey is rapid. Never ride alone in southerly winds and always stay as high as possible in the bay.
NW wind: launch from Briantais beach — requires a sufficiently strong wind to clear the narrow beach and rocks. More space available at low tide. Dominant W wind: launch from the Lancieux side at the Tête de Chien point. N to NE wind: Rougeret beach at Saint-Jacut (caution with cliffs and shorebreak at high tide). SW to SE: Pissote beach, launch possible behind or on the sandbank.
The bay is littered with rocks — always navigate in the center of the bay, far from the edges. With southerly (offshore) winds, rapid drift toward Jersey: never ride alone, and stop immediately if you cannot hold your course.
Overcrowding possible with southerly winds (only rideable spot in the area with this direction) — safety distances are critical. During spring tides (coefficient >70), the launch zone may disappear completely at high tide. Watch for seaweed at certain times of year.
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