Leucate - La Franqui in France

Spot Condities

  • Water type:
  • Water condities:
  • Strand Condities:
  • Kite nivo:

Omgeving

  • Accomodatie
  • Eten
  • Familie
  • Nachtleven
  • Toeristen

Spot Rating

  • Algemene indruk
  • Uitrusting
  • Water condities
  • Chill-faktor
  • Oplaten van kites
  • Bereikbaarheid
Gem Rating 7. 6 3 Recensies
Beschikbaar in de volgende talen:

Country and Location
France is a country located in Western Europe, with several overseas islands and territories located on other continents. Metropolitan France extends from the Mediterranean Sea to the English Channel and the North Sea, and from the Rhine to the Atlantic Ocean. It is often referred to as L'Hexagone ("The Hexagon") because of the geometric shape of its territory. France is a unitary semi-presidential republic with its main ideals expressed in the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen.

Leucate is on the Mediterranean coast of France. It is part of the eastern Corbières Mountains, which are called the Corbières maritimes. It is around 30 km (19 mi) south of Narbonne, and around 30 km (19 mi) north of Perpignan.

click for larger version
Leucate is a community of typical villages lying among a unique natural landscape. Leucate combines history, gastronomical treasures (oysters, wine, seafood) and cultural and sporting events as well as various types of famous festivals all year long. One of the most sporting events is The Mondial du Vent, that was created in 1996 and has progressively become a major kitesurfing and windsurfing international event. A unique and simple concept, which gets the kitesurfers and windsurfers together, to celebrate the Wind.


The seasons and Accommodation info
South of France has usually nice weather and good temperatures. Air and water temperatures are usually correct from April to October. During winter a wetsuit is needed. Leucate has plenty of accomodations of all types.

Possibilities besides kiting
Besides kitesurfing you can:
-windsurf
-enjoy rafting/canyoning
-go fishing/cycling/diving much more

click for larger version

Climate
This area enjoys hot summers and generally mild winters. The moderate temperatures allow palm, cork, oak, olive and lemon trees to flourish, as well as flamingos and wild horses. The winter can see heavy downpours abd cold katabatic winds from the Pyrenees.


Spot conditions:
The beach
The sandy beach offers numerous safe launches.

click for larger version


The water conditions
Nice clean water, no particular current and no tide dependency for riding.


The wind conditions
The reason behind the reputation of Leucate for kitesurfing and other windsports are the howling Tramontana winds.
The Tramontana rules from the Spanish border to Montpellier and it occurs year-round. However, high-season is undoubtedly winter and spring. When the Tramontana is blowing, is is offshore so may want to go to the lagoon at La Palme. Dispite the gusty wind and small waves, this remains one of the most popular places to kite in the

Plan d'eau

Ce spot très connu dans la région est le spot qui accueil le Mondial du Vent et depuis 2008, fait parti du tour mondial PKRA http://www.mondial-du-vent.com/

Restrictions

Attention à la Tramontane qui peut être très violente.

Route

Depuis l'autoroute, prendre la sortie Leucate et ensuite suivre la direction Leucate. Après environ 2 km, suivre la direction la Franqui.