Étang de La Palme
5 minBeginner
Water: Lagoon, flat water, standing depth everywhere
The best place to learn: you can stand everywhere, so there is nothing to be scared of. Right on our doorstep.
Directions →Kite
The spots around the house
La Palme sits in the middle of one of Europe’s best kite areas. A standing-depth lagoon to learn on, offshore beaches in the Tramontane for advanced riders: here are our spots, with the drive time from House of Tram.
Approximate drive times from House of Tram. Lines show the direction; use each spot’s Directions link for the actual route.
Le Rouet
7 minAdvanced
Water: Sea
La Palme’s own beach, just behind the lagoon. Excellent, but offshore in the Tramontane with no safety boat: advanced riders only.
Directions →La Franqui – Les Coussoules (KSL)
15 minIntermediateAdvanced
Water: Sea
The KSL club runs a rescue boat (€10/day), so intermediate riders can build offshore experience safely.
Directions →La Vieille Nouvelle
15 minAdvanced
Water: Sea, wild beach
Reached from Port-la-Nouvelle. Offshore in the Tramontane with no safety boat unless you organise one: advanced riders only.
Directions →Parc des Dosses
20 minIntermediateAdvanced
Water: Lagoon, flat and deep water
The mythical Lords of Tram spot in Le Barcarès. For intermediate and advanced riders; it can get crowded.
Directions →Base d’hydravions (Saint-Laurent-de-la-Salanque)
25 minBeginnerIntermediate
Water: Lagoon, choppy
The old seaplane base at the south end of the Salses-Leucate lagoon. One of the few spots that is onshore in the Tramontane: the wind pushes you back to the shore, which makes it reassuring for beginners and improvers. Keep clear of the concrete pontoon on the left, and respect the Natura 2000 area (birds, ground nests).
Directions →Canet / Saint-Cyprien
40 minIntermediateAdvanced
Water: Sea, can get wavy
The spot for Marin days, the onshore wind blowing in from the sea from the south-east, which tends to be stronger further south. For intermediate and advanced riders; it can get wavy.
Directions →What about the secret spots?
There are more spots that only locals know. Ask us: depending on the wind direction and strength, we will tell you where to go that day.
Tramontane and safety
- The Tramontane blows from the north-west, which makes it offshore on the beaches. Without a safety boat, those spots are for advanced, self-sufficient riders only.
- To build offshore experience safely, the KSL club at Les Coussoules runs a rescue boat (€10/day).
- Kite zones and rules change with the seasons: check the Leucate tourist office’s official spot map before you ride.
Partner schools
Lessons, rental and coaching: our partner schools will be listed here soon. Until then, message us and we will put you in touch.
Big events
Every year the area hosts some of the biggest dates on the kite calendar.
Mondial du Vent
Port-Leucate · Third weekend of April
International kite, windsurf and wing competitions, plus demos.
Official site →Lords of Tram
Parc des Dosses, Le Barcarès · Late March to late April
A stop on the GKA Big Air Kite World Cup: the world’s best riders wait a month for the Tramontane, then send huge jumps over the lagoon. Also a stage of the French Big Air Championship.
Official site →Défi Kite
Gruissan · May
Open to everyone: 500 kites on the water for one giant race, and a great atmosphere over several days. Followed by Défi Wing and Défi Wind.
Official site →