Les Conches (Longeville-sur-Mer)
- Wave, Shortboard
- Best for
- Intermediate
- Skill Level
- Medium waves, Swell, Ocean
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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 Conches is an exposed, sandy beach break on the Côte de Lumière (Longeville-sur-Mer) known for consistent Atlantic surf and well-defined sandbars. Waves can run both left and right, with sources describing peeling-to-hollow behavior and the potential for more powerful hollow peaks. Providers also note that the spot generally works across the year, though best consistency is commonly associated with spring and especially autumn to winter periods. For surfing, the working swell range is typically around 1.0 to 2.5 meters (with the break able to hold up to roughly that size, while bigger swells may close out depending on sandbank configuration). Providers describe good day-to-day ride lengths (one source cites up to ~50 meters; another cites a typical 50–150 meter range), and wave quality is reported as good to excellent when conditions line up. Mid-tide to all-tides are both mentioned as workable depending on the day. Wind sports are possible, but summer conditions can become crowded and access/control of use changes during the holidays. Kitesurfing is allowed but has clear summer restrictions: kiting must remain outside supervised swimming zones, and there is an additional ban within 300 meters of the beach during the July 15–August 30 holiday period. Providers also emphasize that strong currents and crowd management mean you should be confident with upwind riding and navigating around windsurfers. Safety planning is essential: strong rip currents (baïnes) are common, especially around low to mid tide transitions, and the shore break can add difficulty. Lifeguards are seasonal (summer afternoons in marked zones), rescue availability is limited, and swimmers/riders should use the marked areas and local guidance—especially in peak summer when the beach is most busy.
- Well-defined sandbars shaping left/right beach-break surfing
- Hollow potential and powerful peaks (including notable southern-end behavior)
- Summer crowd + kitesurfing restrictions around supervised swimming zones
- Consistent exposed beach-break surf with well-defined sandbars and left/right waves
- Powerful hollow potential with an intermediate-friendly pathway in smaller conditions
- Large sandy beach with room for setups; good year-round activity noted
- Crowded conditions and heavy seasonal rules around swimming zones for kitesurfing/windsurfing
- Rip currents (baïnes) can be very dangerous, especially near low to mid-tide transitions
- Powerful hollow sections and strong swell mean conditions vary and can close out on bigger swell
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- E, NE, SE
- Offshore directions
- E, NE, SE
- Wind Range
- 12–25 kts
- Wind Type
- Frontal — Mixed patterns: autumn/spring dominated by Atlantic frontal systems; occasional light sea breezes in summer noted by providers.
- Reliability
- Moderate; most consistent during autumn and spring storm cycles.
- Gust Factor
- Moderate gusts
- Best Months
- September, October, November, December, January, February, March, April, May
- Shadow Zones
- Slight turbulence very close to the shoreline on easterly winds due to the forest behind the dunes.
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Medium waves, Swell, Ocean
- Beach
- Sand — Sandy beach; dunes and pine paths behind the launch.
- Beach Size
- Big
- Waves
- Medium — Providers vary between small/medium; surf guidance commonly indicates working sizes from under 1m up to about 2.5m+.
- Chop Level
- Moderate chop — Not directly quantified, but conditions can be choppy with shorebreak and variable winds on an exposed coast.
- Launch
- Medium — Wide sandy beach allows setup, though it narrows significantly at high tide.
Through the year
Extremely crowded in July and August; quiet and empty during winter weekdays.
November through February see the most frequent storm activity and rainfall.
By sport
What to expect for each.
Possible as a kitesurf spot but conditions are influenced by strong currents/crowds; summer restrictions apply around supervised swimming zones and within 300m of the beach during the holiday period. Providers note it can become heavily crowded in summer and requires upwind ability to navigate away from windsurfers/crowds.
- Kite Sizes
- 9–12 m²
Described as excellent for wave sailing and bump-and-jump on the wide sandy beach.
- Sail Sizes
- 4.5–5.7 m²
Becoming increasingly popular; the rolling swell after the shore break can be good for carving, though beginners may find the shore break challenging.
- Foil Friendly
- Yes — Foil friendly indicated by provider.
- Min Depth
- 1.5 meters
- Wing Sizes
- 4–6 m²
Exposed sandy beach break with consistent surf and well-defined sandbars. Produces left and right waves (and some sources mention both/varied direction).
- Wave Direction
- Both
- Optimal Swell
- W, WNW, NW, WSW, SW
- Swell Height
- 1–2.5 m
- Optimal Tide
- All tides — Best timing varies by provider: one notes best on mid tide; another states all-tides.
- Shelter
- Exposed — Open, exposed beach break without strong shelter at the break itself.
- Wind Effect
- Cleanest with East or Northeast offshore winds; works best with NE wind for cleaner waves.
- Bigger Swell
- Holds up well to about 2.5 meters; can handle up to ~3 meters before closeouts noted by one provider, and can still manage up to triple overhead (2.5m+) per another note.
- Wave Quality
- Excellent — Wave quality rated good/excellent depending on source and conditions.
- Wave Power
- Powerful — Overall described as powerful/exciting with hollow sections; another provider characterizes moderate power depending on season/conditions.
- Wave Shape
- Hollow — Some sources describe peeling waves as well; hollow sections/peaks are emphasized in other provider notes.
- Peel Speed
- Medium — Providers differ: one source indicates medium peel speed; another indicates fast peel speed depending on the wave/conditions.
- Ride Length
- Medium — Can vary from shorter intense barrels to longer walling rides; one provider cites up to ~50 meters over sandbars and another cites 50–150 meters typical.
- Typical Ride Length
- 50–150 m
- Ride Length Details
- Can break for up to 50 meters over well-defined sandbars; can also produce short intense barrels or longer rides depending on sandbank formation.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Les Conches (Longeville-sur-Mer) in the full forecast view.
Les Conches (Longeville-sur-Mer) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 3–25 ktsGusts 41 kts
- Direction
- WSW245°
- Strongest day
- Sun, Oct 2525 kts
- Windy days
- 2/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.5–3.4 m10s period
- Temperature
- 8–18 °C
Over the next 7 days, Les Conches (Longeville-sur-Mer) is forecast for daytime winds of 3–25 kts, peaking around 25 kts on Sunday, October 25 with gusts to 41 kts. The prevailing direction is WSW. Waves run 0.5–3.4 m with a period of about 10s. 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
- Rip currents (baïnes) common, especially around low to mid tide transitions
- Shore break
- Crowds in peak summer
- Strong Atlantic swell
- Crowds in summer and nearby breakwaters
- Occasional driftwood
- Restricted swimming zones in July and August
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- Seasonal — Lifeguards present during summer afternoons in marked zones; seasonal lifeguard areas noted.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — Rescue availability is limited; SNSM operates in the area and summer lifeguard stations are active seasonally.
- Emergency Info
- Emergency services can be reached via 112; lifeguards are present during summer afternoons in marked zones. Rescue availability is limited in the area.
- Localism / Vibe
- Moderate — Seasonal crowd pressure in peak summer; moderate localism indicated by providers.
Rules of the spot
Kitesurfing and windsurfing are restricted to designated zones outside clearly marked supervised swimming areas during summer; seasonal lifeguard zones apply.
- No kiting in swimming zones in July/August (seasonal restrictions and marked zones)
- Kitesurfing banned within 300m of the beach during the summer holiday season (July 15–Aug 30).
- Kitesurfing and windsurfing restricted to designated zones outside supervised swimming areas during summer months.
- Watch sandbanks as they shift frequently through the winter season
- The southern end of the beach usually has the most powerful hollow waves
- Check local sandbar setup before committing (conditions change with swell and tide)
- Walk south along the coast for a more relaxed vibe if the beach is too crowded
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- La Roche-sur-Yon
- Nearest Town
- Longeville-sur-Mer
- Parking
- Nearby/large dedicated parking; can fill up quickly in summer.
- Access
- From Longeville, take road D105 and follow signs for Les Conches / Plage des Conches; access described via paths through pine dunes from the Les Sables-d'Olonne direction using D949 and D21.
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- French
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Multiple campsites and holiday rentals are located within walking distance of the beach.
- Food & Drink
- Seasonal snack bars and restaurants are located near the main parking entrance.
- Equipment Rental:
- Available at surf schools near the beach entrance.
- Gear Storage
- Typically limited to local club members.
- Gear Repair
- Basic board and kite repair services available in nearby towns like La Tranche area.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
Iconic lighthouse with panoramic views of the coastline and the Pertuis Breton.
Historic pine and oak forest trails highlighting local biodiversity.
Large water park with slides and lagoons.
Adventure park with tree climbing, ziplining, and outdoor challenges.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Les Conches (Longeville-sur-Mer)?
The best overall months at Les Conches (Longeville-sur-Mer) are September, October, November, December, January, February, March, April, May.
Which wind directions work at Les Conches (Longeville-sur-Mer)?
Les Conches (Longeville-sur-Mer) works with E, NE, SE winds. Offshore directions are E, NE, SE.
What equipment sizes are recommended at Les Conches (Longeville-sur-Mer)?
Recommended equipment sizes at Les Conches (Longeville-sur-Mer): Kitesurfing: 9–12 m² · Windsurfing: 4.5–5.7 m² · Wingfoiling: 4–6 m². The typical wind range is 12–25 kts.
What skill level is Les Conches (Longeville-sur-Mer) suitable for?
Les Conches (Longeville-sur-Mer) suits these riding levels: Kitesurfing: Intermediate · Windsurfing: Intermediate · Wingfoiling: Intermediate · Surfing: Intermediate.