Le Grand Travers — wide strip of fine sand between La Grande-Motte and Carnon (beach access No. 59-60, avenue du Maréchal Leclerc). Official kite zone ("Zone 60") with a launch channel. Popular fallback spot when riders crowd the other spots in the region. One of the most spacious spots on the Montpellier coastline — plenty of room to take off, land and ride safely. Wide and well-oriented beach. Conditions conducive to learning kitesurfing in waves. Beautiful waves in SE. Ideal for downwind runs Grande-Motte to Palavas.
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Wind is uneven from month to month: the best months are August, August and June, at 24 rideable days and 29 °C.
The low point is January, at 8 days.
Rideable days per month
Wind strength when it is rideable
7-12 knots · 74%13-20 knots · 21%21-30 knots · 5%
When the spot works, wind sits mostly between 7 and 12 knots — 74% of rideable hours.
Big-kite territory.
The coldest month is January, at 12 °C. The wettest month is December, with 59 mm.
Ridden here? One photo or video, and the spot comes alive for everyone discovering it.
Technical details of Le Grand Travers spot
The spot works with winds from E, ESE, SE, SSE, S, SSW, SW, WSW, W.
RideableNot rideable
Local association recommendations
Official kite zone with launch channel — "Zone 60" (beach access No. 60). Objectif Kiteloop: association managing the kite zones of La Grande-Motte — objectifkiteloop.fr. Monki, Ride Academy, L'Effet KiteSchool: schools using this spot depending on conditions.
Spot functioning
Official kite zone attached to La Grande-Motte. Beach access No. 59 and 60 from avenue du Maréchal Leclerc. Works mainly with southerly winds: SE to SW. On/side-onshore wind — reassuring spot. Off-season: sailing possible anywhere on the beach. In summer: respect marked swimming zones, sail within the marked kite zone. Beach bars for post-session drinks.
Spot opening date · Required level
Spot opening date
Open all year round
Required level
Beginner
Parking
Parking along the D59 (route du Travers) between Carnon and La Grande-Motte. Parking in front of La Dune nightclub. From the A9 exit 29 (Montpellier-Est/La Grande-Motte/Carnon), continue on D66, Grand Travers exit. Left at the intersection towards La Grande-Motte. Park in the lots along the beach. Paid parking from June to September. 500m walk to the spot.
Wind specificities
SW Thermal: reference summer wind, 12-16 knots in the afternoon. Side-onshore. Ideal conditions for learning and freeride. SE Marin: onshore, builds beautiful waves when the low pressure is sufficient. More challenging — shore break possible in heavy weather. Pure SW: nice regular waves along the beach, surf/wave sessions. W: also works, onshore wind. NW/N: offshore — do not sail without a safety boat. Prefer lagoon spots (Ingril, Thau).
Hazards
In summer: respect marked swimming zones, sail only in the kite zone. In SE: water surface often choppy, more challenging than in SW. Parking far from the spot (500m walk from the road) — schools often access by boat. Sandy bottom: no protection from offshore swell, waves breaking randomly.
