Plage du Veillat, Saint-Raphaël

The area’s only venue that works properly in Mistral – as long as it reaches the Côte d’Azur. If it’s screaming through at the usual 25 to 40 knots, the chop can hit 1m high and create shorebreak on this shingle beach. Don’t underestimate the harbour-wall to windward, which can soon get too close for comfort. Also sailable in the thermal, which is very reliable here courtesy of the Estérel mountains. Launching in the middle of town makes kiting challenging, but it's only allowed out of season anyway. In peak season, it even gets tight for windsurfing – and the same goes for parking.