🇫🇷 Merville-Franceville & Cabourg
France · Europe · All France spots →
Best directionW
Wind speed15–25kt
SeasonApr – Oct
Skill levelAll levels
WaterFlat + chop
A gentle Normandy beach at the mouth of the Orne, a short drive from the D-Day landing beaches, with wide sand that stays rideable across a big tidal range.
View live 5-day wind forecast →Good to know
Getting thereMouth of the Orne River, about 30 minutes from Caen or 2.5 hours from Paris via the A13. A car is needed; free public parking at the Merville-Franceville beach redoubt lot. The wide sand expanse near the kite school hub is the primary access.
HazardsThe Orne river estuary has strong tidal current and shifting sandbanks that can strand you or drag you into shipping channels. Stay well east of the river mouth boundary, and avoid riding at dead low tide when mudflats and sharp shell beds are exposed.
Best time of dayTwo hours either side of high tide, for deep water over the sand flats and minimized current risk. Afternoon sessions are preferred as the northern sea breeze fills in cleanly over the flat Normandy coast.