La Franqui
An open Languedoc beach, famous for windsurfing, with waves when an east swell comes in.
La Franqui, next to Leucate, is a long beach open to the east, best known for windsurfing and kiting. With an east or south-east swell and the tramontane blowing offshore, clean waves appear.
The sandbanks change with every storm; in big swell it closes out.
Spot facts
| Wave type | Beach break |
|---|---|
| Direction | Lefts and rights |
| Level | All levels |
| Best swell | E, SE, NE |
| Best wind (offshore) | W, NW |
| Tide | All tides |
| Size | 0.5–2 m |
| Best season | October to April |
| Crowd | Light |
| Localism | Low |
Surf forecast
Loading the forecast…
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 funboard on small days; a shortboard or fish when the storm arrives. How many litres? Work out your volume with the volume calculator.
What to bring to surf La Franqui
The water is around 13 °C in winter and 23 °C in late summer. This is what we'd bring for this spot's water, level and boards.
The autumn-to-spring suit for water at 12–16 °C.
View on AmazonFor water from 17 °C.
View on AmazonThe safest, easiest board to learn on here.
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
Few people; you share the water with kiters and windsurfers.
Surfing style
Open beach break.
Hazards
Frequent strong wind, currents and kite gear in the water.
Map
Other spots nearby
Sète (Hérault)
The sandy lido between Sète and Marseillan, where Montpellier's surfers meet.
Martigues (Bouches-du-Rhône)
Reefs on the Côte Bleue west of Marseille, among the best waves in Provence.
Marseille
Marseille's city beaches, which wake up with the mistral's westerly swell.
La Seyne-sur-Mer (Var)
Toulon's surf beach, on the Saint-Mandrier isthmus, with an easterly swell.
All spots in the French Mediterranean →
Indicative information gathered from surf guides and surfers' experience. Conditions change with the sandbanks: check the forecast and ask at the beach.