Les Sables-d'Olonne – Tanchet

Les Sables-d'Olonne · Vendée · France

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The best-known wave in Les Sables-d'Olonne: a beach break set between two rock reefs, in front of the Lac de Tanchet on the southern edge of town towards Château-d'Olonne. It is known above all for a fast right at low tide, where rock slabs give the wave extra push and, on good days, short tubes; a left also breaks off the reef. It is the town's competition spot, quick and demanding, and reserved for surfers who know it well. Expect a crowd whenever it is working.

Level
Advanced
Break
Reef break, sand and rock
Waves
Lefts and rights
Crowd
Crowded
Season
autumn, winter, spring
Boards
A shortboard for the fast low-tide right; a step-up on bigger autumn days.

When it works

✓ A west to northwest swell of 1–2 m with a morning east to northeast wind, from low tide on the push to mid tide.

When it doesn't

✕ High tide on big coefficients fills it in, onshore west winds wreck it, and summer is often flat.

Watch out for

  • rocks
  • reef
  • currents
  • crowds

Best months

January, February, March, April, September, October, November, December

Local tips

The right at low tide is the main event; the left in front of the reef also works on the bottom of the tide, and a wide channel opens as the tide comes in. The bar is not easy to cross and currents push towards the rocks that frame the beach, so do not surf it alone on big days. On small coefficients it can still work near high tide. In summer, surf at dawn or in the evening, when lifeguards' zoning and crowds are lighter.

Getting there

Follow the seafront south-east from the town centre until you reach the lake; the beach faces it, off Boulevard Maréchal de Lattre de Tassigny, with parking close to the sand and a walk of a couple of minutes.

History

Tanchet has hosted a Coupe de France stop since 2005, the Open de France in 2020 and was the main site of the French surfing championships from 23 to 31 October 2021.

Travel notes

How often it works
Wannasurf rates it regular, while surf-forecast calls it inconsistent and often flat in summer. It is very good on a solid west to north-west swell with a morning east wind.
Crowd and vibe
Weekdays have few surfers, but weekends are crowded and summer is very busy. Go at dawn or in the evening, or pick another spot.
Camping and vans
Camping Le Puits Rochais is about 2.5 km away, and Camping Le Bel Air is about 3 km. Nearest campsite about 2.5 km away.
Facilities
There is parking close to the sand and summer lifeguards; the cafés and shops of Les Sables are a short drive away.
Water quality
We found no recent official results for Tanchet. The beach is beside a lake and next to town, so avoid it after heavy rain.

Ideal conditions

Swell
W–WNW best, SW–NW works
Size
1–2 m offshore swell; starts at 0.6 m, holds to 2.5 m
Period
8 s minimum, best from 11 s
Wind
Offshore NNE–ESE; handles onshore up to 12 km/h
Tide
low best, avoid high, on the rising tide
Faces
WSW (240°)

Live cams

Cams © their operators, shown from the operator's own feed.

Nearby spots

All spots in Vendée · All spots

Sources