Le 46 (Côte Sauvage)

Le 46 on the wild Côte Sauvage (near La Tremblade) is a sandy, exposed beach break that produces both lefts and rights. It’s described as hollow/fun and can be powerful, with conditions improving when the wind is from the east (offshore/cleaner faces) and the swell is aligned from the west. The spot is considered a reliable option for intermediate surfers. Typical wave sizes are small to medium, and the break tends to start working around roughly 1.0–1.5 m, holding up to around 2 m+ (and up to ~2.5 m in one description). Rides are often short (<50 m) but can extend longer (about 50–150 m) when the sandbars and swell period are optimal. Tide-wise, it’s reported as working at all stages, with notes suggesting low to mid tide as especially good for lineups and exits. Under larger swell it may close out, even though it can hold size reasonably well up to around 2.5 m. Sandbars can shift frequently after winter storms, so checking conditions before committing is important. Crowd pressure is consistently described as low: weekdays are empty and weekend turnout is few surfers, even when surf is up. Safety focus should be on the strong rip current/baïnes system, the heavy shorebreak potential, and the fact that the location is isolated—lifeguards are seasonal and rescue availability is limited, so surfers should plan conservatively and avoid going in alone.