La Sauzaie
Vendée's most famous wave: powerful rights and lefts over rock slabs.
La Sauzaie breaks over rock slabs below a small cliff at Brétignolles-sur-Mer. It produces very powerful, hollow rights and lefts in shallow water, and holds up to 3 m.
It's Vendée's benchmark spot, so on good days it fills with the area's best surfers. The cliff gives a great view and good photos.
Spot facts
| Wave type | Reef |
|---|---|
| Direction | Lefts and rights |
| Level | Expert |
| Best swell | W, NW, SW |
| Best wind (offshore) | E, SE, NE |
| Tide | Mid to high |
| Size | 1–3 m |
| Best season | Autumn and winter |
| Crowd | Heavy |
| Localism | High |
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 performance shortboard. How many litres? Work out your volume with the volume calculator.
What to bring to surf La Sauzaie
The water is around 11 °C in winter and 19 °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 AmazonSeal a ding on the spot and keep surfing.
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
There's localism and lots of competition for waves. If you're not used to crowded peaks and shallow bottoms, watch from the cliff; if you paddle out, respect priority strictly.
Surfing style
Powerful, hollow rock waves.
Hazards
Shallow rocks, currents and crowds.
Map
Shapers near La Sauzaie
Order a board designed for these waves from a local shaper.
Other spots nearby
Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie
Saint-Gilles' Grande Plage: soft-breaking waves, good for longboarding and learning.
Saint-Hilaire-de-Riez
A long left over rock at the Corniche de Sion, ideal for longboarding.
Brem-sur-Mer / Les Sables-d'Olonne
A wild beach that picks up swell better than its neighbours.
Les Sables-d'Olonne
A beach in a protected natural area, with the best peak over a small rock shelf.
Indicative information gathered from surf guides and surfers' experience. Conditions change with the sandbanks: check the forecast and ask at the beach.