Les 3 Colonnes (Le Barcarès)
- Freeride, Wave
- Best for
- Beginner to Intermediate
- Skill Level
- Chop, Mixed
- Spot Type
- Busy
- Crowd Level
This spot information is AI-assisted and has not been human verified. It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect. Verify safety, access, local rules, and current conditions with official or local sources before riding.
About
Les 3 Colonnes (Le Barcarès) is a kitesurf-focused beach on a wide sandy shoreline, commonly described as having clean water and chop with small waves. The launch approach is easy, and the overall setup is suited to practicing and progressing because the on-water texture is consistent rather than flat. Wind is strongly associated with the SE sector, with the most consistently named window running from April through August. Depending on the prevailing wind direction, conditions can change: onshore SE (Marin) tends to bring more wave-like chop, while NW (Tramontane) can be offshore and may produce flatter water for more controlled riding styles. Safety and access are tied to local summer management. During July and August, kitesurfing is restricted to specific marked zones, and riders should verify the current boundaries on-site. Several sources also emphasize that Tramontane (NW) is completely offshore, so planning (including your ability to self-rescue/return) should be treated as critical. Summer months also bring more beach users, so be mindful around launch and swimming areas. On land, the spot is described as having an official kitesurfing zone with typical visitor amenities such as parking, toilets, showers, and changing areas. The beach is monitored in season during daytime hours, but rescue availability on the exact beach can be limited—always check local guidance and signage before launching.
- SE wind season from spring through summer
- Chop with small waves; versatile for freestyle and freeride progression
- Large sandy beach with easy launch and rigging space
- Official, designated kitesurfing zone with seasonal monitoring
- Wide sandy beach with a large rigging/launch area and easy launch approach.
- Generally clean water and a reliable SE wind season from spring through summer.
- Chop with small waves makes it a classic training/progression environment for kitesurfing.
- Seasonal beach monitoring with a designated kitesurfing zone.
- Offshore risk if Tramontane (NW) is present—care is needed before launching and while planning return routes.
- Summer crowd and beach users can create on-water/launch congestion.
- In July and August, kitesurfing is limited to specific marked zones.
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- SE, NW, E, WNW
- Offshore directions
- NW
- Wind Range
- 15–35 kts
- Wind Type
- Mixed — Spot can be influenced by Tramontane (offshore NW) and Marin (onshore SE). Light sea breezes may reinforce the Marin in summer afternoons.
- Reliability
- high
- Gust Factor
- Moderate gusts
- Best Months
- April, May, June, July, August
- Recommended Kite Sizes
- 7–12 m²
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Chop, Mixed
- Beach
- Sand
- Beach Size
- Big
- Waves
- Medium — Also described as small wave/chop in some sources.
- Chop Level
- Moderate chop — Kabbelwasser to small waves.
- Launch
- Medium — Relatively narrow and sloping in some descriptions; also described as a wide sandy beach with ample space for rigging and launching.
Through the year
High crowds in July and August; peaceful during the off-season.
October and November often bring intense Mediterranean rainfall events.
By sport
What to expect for each.
Kitesurfing spot known for chop with small waves and good SE wind in spring and summer. Conditions can vary with wind direction: SE (Marin) tends to bring onshore wave/wave-like chop, while NW (Tramontane) can provide flatter water for certain freeride/freestyle styles.
- Kite Sizes
- 7–12 m²
Can be excellent for bump-and-jump and wave riding in onshore conditions.
- Sail Sizes
- 4–6.5 m²
Deep-water access close to shore makes it foil-friendly, especially in side-shore or onshore conditions.
- Foil Friendly
- Yes
- Min Depth
- 1.5m
- Wing Sizes
- 3.5–5 m²
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Les 3 Colonnes (Le Barcarès) in the full forecast view.
Les 3 Colonnes (Le Barcarès) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 2–15 ktsGusts 25 kts
- Direction
- NW323°
- Strongest day
- Sun, Oct 2515 kts
- Windy days
- 3/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.1–0.7 m3s period
- Temperature
- 12–23 °C
Over the next 7 days, Les 3 Colonnes (Le Barcarès) is forecast for daytime winds of 2–15 kts, peaking around 15 kts on Sunday, October 25 with gusts to 25 kts. The prevailing direction is NW. Waves run 0.1–0.7 m with a period of about 3s. Based on the Wavind model, in the spot’s local time.
Other spots in the area
What to know before you launch
Safety, access, restrictions, rescue, and local rules can change. Treat these details as informational and confirm them locally before launching.
Hazards
- Offshore wind during Tramontane (NW)
- Bathers and beach users during summer months
- Strong wind gusts
- No rescue service on the beach
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- Seasonal — Seasonal monitoring in specified hours.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — Local coastal rescue via SNSM (regional baseline). Some spot-level sources indicate no rescue service on this beach.
- Emergency Info
- General emergency number: 112.
- Localism / Vibe
- None — Localism reported as none.
Rules of the spot
Kitesurfing is restricted to designated zones during peak summer months (July and August). Kitesurfing is an official designated area; follow local signage and marked zones.
- Designated sport zones in summer
- Prohibited in swimming areas
- Zone officially designated for kitesurfing
- Check local signage for the current summer kite zones.
- Be extremely cautious with Tramontane because it is completely offshore; ensure you are properly set up before committing.
- The beach is monitored in season from 11:00 to 18:30.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Le Barcarès
- Nearest Town
- Le Barcarès
- Nearest Airport
- Perpignan–Rivesaltes Airport (PGF)
- Parking
- Parking along the road leading to the dunes and close to the beach access points.
- Access
- Parking along the road leading to the dunes; the kitesurfing area is just behind the dunes, near the beach access points and close to the 'Les Trois Colonnes' sculpture.
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- French
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Numerous campsites, holiday rentals, and hotels in Le Barcarès.
- Food & Drink
- Beach clubs and restaurants are available along the promenade.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
A 1930s cruise ship permanently run aground on the beach, serving as a landmark and exhibition space.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Les 3 Colonnes (Le Barcarès)?
The best overall months at Les 3 Colonnes (Le Barcarès) are April, May, June, July, August, September, October. The best wind months are April, May, June, July, August.
Which wind directions work at Les 3 Colonnes (Le Barcarès)?
Les 3 Colonnes (Le Barcarès) works with SE, NW, E, WNW winds. Offshore directions are NW.
What equipment sizes are recommended at Les 3 Colonnes (Le Barcarès)?
Recommended equipment sizes at Les 3 Colonnes (Le Barcarès): Kitesurfing: 7–12 m² · Windsurfing: 4–6.5 m² · Wingfoiling: 3.5–5 m². The typical wind range is 15–35 kts.
What skill level is Les 3 Colonnes (Le Barcarès) suitable for?
Les 3 Colonnes (Le Barcarès) suits these riding levels: Kitesurfing: Beginner to Intermediate · Windsurfing: Intermediate · Wingfoiling: Intermediate.