Almanarre
Description
This windsurfspot close to the village of Hyeres consists of a number of surfspots located on the peninsula of Giens. Here the Mistral often blows, depending on the surfspot you're at, a bit onshore from the Northwest. The spot offers for almost every winddirections an alternative. Almanarre is the most famous and popular one of the all. The Mistral can last for three, six or even nine days in a row. No wonder that 42,7 percent of all days were Mistral-days.
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Local Spots
- Almanarre
At Mistral-Rush-Hour this place can get very crowdy. Fortunately there are plenty parking-places at the spot. In winter the strong northern winds change this spot into a speedstrip.
- Le Passe Pieds
This is the best Mistral-spot. The waves here break 300 meters from the shore on an old Roman path that lies 1,5 meters below the water surface. This creates some nice waves. Starting is a bit difficult because the shore is very steep, but the good thing about this spot is that it never gets too busy on the water.
- La Madrague
Here it can be very busy on the water, because there are many campings nearby. Still you have more room than in Almanarre. The Mistral is very constant here, but the waves are a bit small. The locals prefer this spot during the winter. Then you've got perfect side-shore conditions here, with the wind coming from the North and the waves from the West. There's enough parking-space (not accessible with campers, etc.).
- Spot Secret
Who wants to surf has to pay! 10 Guilders for parking your car. Therefor you can also use the showers and toilets that are located here. The shore is kind of rocky. With Mistral wind from the North a nice swell appears which can get 3 meters high. Don't go out on the water on your own. When your equipment breaks down you can drift out on the Mediteranean!
- La Bergerie
A famous and also crowdy spot best visited when the wind's from the East. With onshore winds surfing gets very difficult here. 200 meters out of the coast the waves break very short and steep. Sandbeach without rocks and stones.
- La Badine
Here you have the best waves with wind from the East. This is a good alternative for busy La Bergerie.
- Aygade
With Eastwind windsurfing here is good, with Westwind windsurfing here can be dangerous. The waves are small and harmless. To get here you must turn right after the village Ayguade.
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Wind & weather
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Sleeping
Wildcamping is not allowed in Almanarre. In Hyeres there are plenty of locations where you can spend the night. Here some adresses:
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Hotels:
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Riveira Beach Club.
2-pers: 110-190 Guilders/day
Club Hotel Maeva
Port Hyeres.
Hotel Lido
Avenue de la mediterranee.
Familyhotel with private beach.
2-pers: 110-130 Guilders/day
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Hotel Le Mediterranee
Avenue de la mediterranee.
Typical French hotel
2 pers: 80 Guilders/day.
Hotel Le Calypso
Avenue de la mediterranee.
2 pers: 75 Guilders/day
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Appartments:
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Residences Sylvamare
Avenue de la Bergerie.
Directly at beach.
appartment for 6 pers: 500 Guilders/week.
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Residence Le Schtroumfts
Studio's directly at beach La Bergerie.
2 pers: 350-700 Guilders/week.
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Campings:
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Camping international La Reserve
Giens.
Number 1 amongst surfers.
Directly at spot La Madrage.
Opened April- Oktober
Price: 25 Guilders/day
Mobil-home with shower: 350-800 Guilders/week
Camping Claire de Lune
Giens.
Opened 1 Februari- 15 November.
Price: 17/20 Guilders/day.
Bungalows without shower: 235/390 Guilders/week.
Eurosurf
Plage de La Capte.
Price: 23/25 Guilders/day
Mobil-home for 4 pers: 260/800 Guilders/day.
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Camping St. Pierre des Horts
Chemin de la Font des Horts.
500 meters away from spot Almanarre.
Opened the whole year
Price: 23 Guilders/day.
Studios for 2-6 pers: 500-1000 Guilders/week.
Camping d'Olbia
La Madrague de Giens.
Directly at Spot Secret.
Price: 24 Guilders/day
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Surfcenters & Shops
Mistral Center
Route de Giens
Quai 34
Route de Almanarre
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Tips
When the wind takes a day off, pay a visit to the nearby villages Collobrieres and Bormes Les Mimosas.
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