Overview
Petites Dalles is a shingle beach on the French coast that, like nearby Fécamp, is mainly a windsurfing spot. When there is swell, the boulders on the bottom can shape something closer to a reef, holding both lefts and rights rather than the shifting peaks of a typical beach break.
When It Works
The spot draws swell from the west through north to northeast, with northeast (NE) the best direction. It works from 0.3 m / 1 ft to 2.4 m / 8 ft, so there is a wide band of usable size to play with once a swell arrives. Consistency is moderate, so expect worthwhile windows rather than waves on demand.
Wind and Tide
Look for a southeast (SE) offshore wind to clean things up. The break comes to life around mid and high tide, when the boulders produce that reef-like shape, and a rising tide is generally the better call.
Local Tips
This is an approachable, beginner-friendly wave, and you can expect a moderately busy lineup when it works. Keep an eye out for the rocks on the bottom and for kite and windsurfers sharing the water, since Petites Dalles sees plenty of both.
Access
You will find a car park with free parking, along with paid and roadside options nearby. The spot is reached via the D68/D79.
