Le Petit Minou
Brest's spot, below the Petit Minou lighthouse: a left by the rocky point and sand peaks.
Le Petit Minou is at the entrance to the Brest roadstead, below a very photogenic lighthouse. In front of the car park there's a rocky point where a left breaks; to the right, sand peaks both ways.
It works at low tide with a west or south-west swell. Being so close to Brest, it gets very crowded.
Spot facts
| Wave type | Beach break |
|---|---|
| Direction | Lefts and rights |
| Level | Intermediate |
| Best swell | W, SW |
| Best wind (offshore) | N, NE, E |
| Tide | Low |
| Size | 1–2.5 m |
| Best season | Autumn to spring |
| Crowd | Heavy |
| Localism | High |
Surf forecast
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Hour-by-hour forecast for 14 days, with stars for your board and level, and the whole site without ads.
Model forecast for open water a few kilometres offshore: it can't see sandbanks or the shelter of headlands and jetties. The rating (0–5) is worked out from this spot's ideal swell and wind. Use it as a guide and check the sea before paddling out. Data: Open-Meteo (DWD, ECMWF; CC BY 4.0)
Which board to bring
A shortboard or fish. How many litres? Work out your volume with the volume calculator.
What to bring to surf Le Petit Minou
The water is around 10 °C in winter and 17 °C in late summer. This is what we'd bring for this spot's water, level and boards.
For winter water at 8–11 °C.
View on AmazonWarm feet in winter and protection on rocks.
View on AmazonKeeps your board from drifting off or hitting someone.
View on AmazonThe classic fish fins: speed in soft waves.
View on AmazonWarm-water wax won't grip in this water.
View on AmazonAmazon affiliate links: if you buy through them, Shapers Europe earns a small commission at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
Localism and vibe
According to reports it's one of the spots with the most localism in Brittany: lots of Brest surfers and few waves. Be very respectful and stay off the left-hand point if you don't know it.
Surfing style
Rock left and beach break.
Hazards
Rocks, currents and crowds.
Map
Shapers near Le Petit Minou
Order a board designed for these waves from a local shaper.
Other spots nearby
Le Conquet
A sheltered white-sand bay that only wakes up when everything else is closing out.
Crozon
La Palue's wild neighbour, with fewer people and equally strong currents.
Crozon
One of the best beaches in western Brittany, between cliffs on the Crozon peninsula.
Plogoff
A wild bay between the Pointe du Raz and the Pointe du Van, at Brittany's end of the world.
Indicative information gathered from surf guides and surfers' experience. Conditions change with the sandbanks: check the forecast and ask at the beach.