Located in Vendee, France, Saint Gilles Croix de Vie is a beach break that offers decent peaks suitable for both beginners and advanced surfers. The waves here require a bit of skill to surf and break for up to 100 meters (328 feet) over a sand bottom. Note that high tides can create some backwash off the concrete promenade.
What are the best surf conditions for Saint Gilles Croix de Vie?
Saint Gilles Croix de Vie is best when the waves are between waist-high and double overhead. We recommend riding a longboard when the waves are smaller and switching to a shortboard as the size increases. This break is suitable for surfers of all levels. The surf is somewhat inconsistent (4/10) and can get quite crowded due to its location in a city (8/10). The best winds are from the Northeast, and the ideal swells are from the Northwest, Southwest, and West. It works well on all tides.
In summer, a 3/2 wetsuit is recommended when water temperatures rise to 16°C (61°F). In winter, a 4/3 wetsuit is best when temperatures drop to 10°C (50°F). See the temperature chart below for more details.
