Kitesurfing at the Mondial du Vent, La Franqui, Leucate

Wind-driven waves on the Plage des Coussoules, Leucate

Chapters / Europe Open, 1 of 1 remaining

Ride Leucate, keep it open

The Tramontane comes off the land and across the étang, the sea breeze comes in off the Mediterranean, and Leucate gets wind about 300 days a year. It is France's best-known wind town, and every beach has its own rules about who rides where.

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13 riders call this homeKite, WingLeucate - La Franqui - Les Coussoules #kite

Everything you need to know about Leucate

Live conditions

Why riders love it

What brings people here, from the people who manage it and the people who ride it.

The Tramontane is a strong, steady land wind that can blow at gale force over flat water. The Marin from the south-east brings waves, and there is a regular thermal in summer.
The tourist office counts about 300 windy days a year. The chance of at least Force 4 is highest in March, at 62%, and lowest in August, at 40%.
At Les Coussoules the kite zone sits next to the old lifeguard post, with windsurfers upwind on the north side.

Sources: Leucate Tourist Office spot guide 2025–26

See the wind right now

Access and rules

Local governments and environmental agencies set the terms. The chapter works with them, not around them.

In July and August a secured kite take-off zone at Les Coussoules is run by the KSL association and open to schools.
Kiting is banned at the La Franqui exit channel and on the big étang next to the road. Le Goulet, La Mine and La Corrège are for windsurf and paddleboard only.
At Port Leucate (Aqualand) kiting is allowed beyond the 300 m limit. The guide is contradictory about Leucate Plage, so check locally.

Sources: Leucate Tourist Office spot guide 2025–26

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Ecology and habitat

Protected lagoons, wetlands and the species that depend on them. Stewardship days keep launches clean inside the protected zones.

The official spot map marks a bird tranquillity perimeter, important nesting sites and a resting site for pink flamingos.
Oyster beds on the étang, including at La Corrège, are marked on the map, and beginners are warned to stay clear of them in a Tramontane.

Sources: Leucate Tourist Office spot guide 2025–26

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Good to know

Location, facilities and history.

Leucate is on the Mediterranean coast of the Aude, in southern France, between Narbonne and Perpignan.
The commune has 17 km of coastline, 14 km of beaches and 31 km of shoreline on the Étang de Leucate. The main kite beach is Les Coussoules at La Franqui.
The Mondial du Vent is held in April during the Easter holidays, with world cup legs including wingfoil.
Leucate has several windsurf and kite shops and sail lofts near the water.

Sources: Leucate Tourist Office spot guide 2025–26

Meet the riders

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Schools that teach on this water

Wesh Center Crew

Leucate

About 300 windy days a year, from the Tramontane and the sea breeze.

Source: Leucate Tourist Office

Know the spot

Leucate

Force 4 or more is likeliest in March, at 62% of days; August is lowest at 40%.

Source: Leucate Tourist Office

Know the spot

Leucate

In July and August kites launch from a secured zone at Les Coussoules.

Source: Leucate Tourist Office

Know the spot

Why Leucate needs a chapter

Europe

Leucate sits between the Mediterranean and a large lagoon, the Étang de Leucate, and catches wind from both directions: the Tramontane blowing hard off the land and the Marin and summer thermals coming in from the sea. The town hosts the Mondial du Vent every spring.

13riders call this home

1local schools teach on this water

Kite, Wingdisciplines riding here

Leucate chapter, World Wind Sports

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Europe

With that much wind and that many riders, access is carefully divided. Kiting is banned at some beaches and on parts of the étang, limited to a secured zone at Les Coussoules in high summer, and kept clear of protected bird sites and oyster beds. The rules are written by the town and depend on riders keeping them.

13riders call this home

1local schools teach on this water

Kite, Wingdisciplines riding here

Leucate chapter, World Wind Sports

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Europe

A chapter gives riders a standing voice when those zones are reviewed each season, supports the associations that already run the secured zone, and keeps visiting riders trained to respect the bird areas and the 300 m limit.

13riders call this home

1local schools teach on this water

Kite, Wingdisciplines riding here

Leucate chapter, World Wind Sports

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The riders, schools and crew of Leucate

Riders from Leucate, La Franqui, Port Leucate, Port-Leucate, Le Barcarès, Le Barcares, Fitou, Sigean, Port-la-Nouvelle, Gruissan, Narbonne, Rivesaltes, Perpignan and the schools that teach them.

See the rider directory Talk on the board

WWesh Center CrewLocal school teaching on this waterWWSThe chapterHolds the line on access: one standing voice with whoever manages the launch.WWSThe chapterRuns stewardship days, so the people who manage the beach see riders as an asset.WWSThe chapterRuns sponsored certification weekends, so riders are trained and self-policing.WWesh Center CrewLocal school teaching on this waterWWSThe chapterHolds the line on access: one standing voice with whoever manages the launch.WWSThe chapterRuns stewardship days, so the people who manage the beach see riders as an asset.WWSThe chapterRuns sponsored certification weekends, so riders are trained and self-policing.

Hyacinthe MignereyInstructor Level 1, Perpignan

Alexis MoreauInstructor Level 1, Rivesaltes

Clara MoreauInstructor Level 1, Rivesaltes

Renard Corinne RenardLevel 4O, Sigean

Camille MirLevel 4Y, Perpignan

Jean Charles somainiLevel 4V, Sigean

Jean Philippe MasoLevel 2I, Rivesaltes

Melaine PluzanskiLevel 2I, Perpignan

Camille DavidLevel 2H, Perpignan

Christophe MoratonaCertified rider, Le Barcares

Sarah DavidCertified rider, GruissanAAlain ArrouzéLevel 3K, leucateSstephCertified rider, perpignan

Hyacinthe MignereyInstructor Level 1, Perpignan

Alexis MoreauInstructor Level 1, Rivesaltes

Clara MoreauInstructor Level 1, Rivesaltes

Renard Corinne RenardLevel 4O, Sigean

Camille MirLevel 4Y, Perpignan

Jean Charles somainiLevel 4V, Sigean

Jean Philippe MasoLevel 2I, Rivesaltes

Melaine PluzanskiLevel 2I, Perpignan

Camille DavidLevel 2H, Perpignan

Christophe MoratonaCertified rider, Le Barcares

Sarah DavidCertified rider, GruissanAAlain ArrouzéLevel 3K, leucateSstephCertified rider, perpignan

iSportsKite, WingiWind spotLeucate - La Franqui - Les Coussoules #kiteiKnow thisLeucate, on the Aude coast of southern France between Narbonne and Perpignan.iKnow thisAbout 300 windy days a year: the Tramontane off the land, the Marin and summer thermals off the sea.iKnow thisKiting is zoned beach by beach, with a secured kite zone at Les Coussoules in July and August.iSportsKite, WingiWind spotLeucate - La Franqui - Les Coussoules #kiteiKnow thisLeucate, on the Aude coast of southern France between Narbonne and Perpignan.iKnow thisAbout 300 windy days a year: the Tramontane off the land, the Marin and summer thermals off the sea.iKnow thisKiting is zoned beach by beach, with a secured kite zone at Les Coussoules in July and August.

Live conditions

Wind right now at Leucate

Full forecast

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Your gift keeps the chapter running and the beach cared for: cleanup supplies, signage, certification weekends and the costs of being the group the park can call.

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