Tanchet
The Les Sables-d'Olonne spot: a rock peak by the jetty, better than the city beach.
Tanchet is south of central Les Sables-d'Olonne. At low tide, in front of the jetty, a short, fun rock peak forms. It's better than the big city bay, which is usually full of swimmers and surf schools.
It works mainly at low tide; at high tide it almost disappears.
Spot facts
| Wave type | Reef |
|---|---|
| Direction | Lefts and rights |
| Level | All levels |
| Best swell | W, NW, SW |
| Best wind (offshore) | NE, E, N |
| Tide | Low |
| Size | 0.5–2 m |
| Best season | Autumn to spring |
| Crowd | Heavy |
| Localism | Medium |
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; a funboard when it's small. How many litres? Work out your volume with the volume calculator.
What to bring to surf Tanchet
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 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 AmazonSeal a ding on the spot and keep surfing.
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
Lots of local surfers from town and some tension at the peak. Respect priority.
Surfing style
Short rock peak.
Hazards
Rocks and the jetty.
Map
Shapers near Tanchet
Order a board designed for these waves from a local shaper.
Other spots nearby
Les Sables-d'Olonne
A beach in a protected natural area, with the best peak over a small rock shelf.
Brem-sur-Mer / Les Sables-d'Olonne
A wild beach that picks up swell better than its neighbours.
Brétignolles-sur-Mer
Vendée's most famous wave: powerful rights and lefts over rock slabs.
Longeville-sur-Mer
A powerful beach break, similar to Landes, among pine forests and dunes.
Indicative information gathered from surf guides and surfers' experience. Conditions change with the sandbanks: check the forecast and ask at the beach.