Sandy beach with dark clouds aboveA wide expanse of sand bordered by a calm sea. Dark, threatening clouds cover the sky, creating a dramatic atmosphere. A few people are walking along the beach, and wooden fences are visible on the right side of the image.
©A deserted beach under a threatening sky.|alexandre lamoureux
In winter

What to do when it's windy

in Coutances mer et bocage
  1. Home
  2. Experiences
  3. What to do in winter when it’s windy?

Wind in your sails: Against wind and tide… winter cycling activities!

What can you do on a windy winter’s day? That’s the big question! And the answer lies in water and wind sports: kitesurfing, windsurfing, sand yachting, wingfoil… a whole range of outdoor activities to enjoy with family and friends.

Ready to try? Let’s go!

Sand yachting is a rather intense activity to be enjoyed at low tide. The sand yacht is a 3-wheeled machine that moves forward thanks to the force of the wind and the orientation of the sail. You’ll be able to maneuver the float and enjoy the thrill of the ride! It’s a fun sport that can be enjoyed with family and friends, and is accessible even to beginners. Wingfoil is a leisure activity that takes place at high tide. Wingfoil is an innovative water sport in which you use a hand-held wing to propel yourself on a board fitted with a hydrofoil, enabling you to glide over the water. This sport requires strength in the arms and shoulders, but it’s still accessible, even if the beginnings can be a little laborious! Enjoy the unique sensation of freedom and lightness! Kitesurfing is a challenging and accessible activity that attracts a wide range of people. Kitesurfing takes you to the boundary between water and air, offering a unique experience that combines the power of the wind with the freedom of movement. Experienced kitesurfers can perform acrobatic tricks and soar several meters above the water, adding an aerial dimension to this exciting discipline. Windsurfing is a water sport that can also be practiced at high tide. It consists of navigating the water by standing on a board equipped with a sail. Windsurfers use the force of the wind to move around, maneuvering the sail attached to a pivoting mast. This sport requires a mastery of balance and technique to adapt to variations in wind and waves, offering a stimulating and rewarding experience for its practitioners. Windsurfing is recommended for children and adults aged 7 and over.

Four sailboats on a beach with yellow and black sailsFour sailboats with yellow and black sails are lined up on a wet sandy beach. The sailboats appear to be in motion, gliding over the sand near the sea. The sky is clear and the sea is calm.
©The sailboats glide over the wet sand near the sea.|Jim Prod
A kitesurfer in a black and yellow wetsuit surfing on turquoise waterA kitesurfer in a black and yellow wetsuit is surfing on turquoise water. He is holding the kite bars tightly and is airborne, with water splashing around him. In the background, you can see the sea and another kitesurfer in the distance.
©A kitesurfer enjoys the waves and wind for an exhilarating session.|michael humenberger

    Where to practice?

    Association Nautique Hautaise

    4, avenue du Sud – 50590 Hauteville sur mer

    02.33.47.58.37 – info@anh-asso.fr

    At the Hauteville sur Mer sailing school you can practice sand yachting

    • Char à voile 2-hour group session from 10 years upwards
    • Baptism two-seater sand yacht with instructor 15 minutes from 6 to 10 years old

    Club Nautique de Coutainville

    104, rue des Dunes – 50230 Agon-Coutainville

    02 33 47 14 81 or 09 54 13 69 15 / contact@cncoutainville.fr

    At the Coutainville sailing club, you can go wingfoiling, sand yachting, windsurfing… Reception is open Tuesday to Saturday, 9am to 12pm and 1pm to 5pm.

    • Wingfoil 2h from 8 years old Price 35€ / Wingfoil weekends and school vacations all year round
    • Wingfoil private lessons 2h from 14 years On reservation
    • Windsurfing 2h In club on Saturdays from September to November and from March to June

    Pôle Kitesurf Normandie in Gouville sur Mer

    Cale de Gouville-Sur-mer

    polekitesurfnormandie@gmail.com / 06 66 03 23 24

    Pôle Kitesruf Normandie in Gouville sur Mer to practice kitesurfing

    • Discovery package: 1 x 3-hour introductory session to learn how to pull and steer the kite.
    • Sensation package: 3 sessions of 3 hours to learn how to prepare and adjust the equipment
    • Autonomy package: 5 sessions of 3h to start riding upwind and prepare and adjust your equipment independently

    Individual: 1 session of 1h

    Other experiences

    at Coutances mer et bocage !
    Group of cyclists in front of a medieval towerA group of cyclists in yellow attire gathers in front of a medieval stone tower. The tower has an arched entrance and narrow windows. The cyclists are lined up with their bikes, ready to depart. The scene takes place in a lush park with trees in the background.
    ©A group of cyclists gathers in front of an ancient medieval tower.|Cycles and Co
    Saint Gerbold’s Hermitage, a little-known building
    Discover the history of the Ermitage Saint-Gerbold in Gratot This month we’d like to introduce you to theSaint-Gerbold Hermitage in Gratot, a few kilometres from...
    Mont Saint-Michel with visitors on the beachMont Saint-Michel, a Norman island community located in the heart of an exceptional bay, is a major tourist attraction in France. Visitors walk on the beach in front of Mont Saint-Michel. The sky is partly cloudy with white and blue clouds. The buildings of Mont Saint-Michel are visible in the background.
    ©Visitors explore the beach in front of Mont Saint-Michel.|alexandre lamoureux OT MSMN
    Mont-Saint-Michel: Discover the wonder!
    Need some ideas for organising your next holiday or break in Mont-Saint-Michel? Here are the main places not to be missed! Situated on the edge of Normandy, in the south-west...
    Shelves filled with bottles of wine and crates of bottlesView of a wine cellar with shelves filled with bottles of wine. The bottles are arranged in well-ordered rows. There are also crates of wine bottles in the foreground. The cellar is well-lit and the bottles are of different sizes and shapes.
    ©A well-organized wine cellar with bottles of wine and crates of bottles.|Eric Quesnel
    All you need to know about cider!
    Cider: what it is, how it’s made, its benefits… you’ll know it all! Cider: how it’s made, its benefits… in short, you’re going to know...
    Small white cabin by the beach with a wooden fenceA small white cabin is located by the beach, surrounded by a wooden fence. The sky is blue with white clouds and the beach is covered with sand and a few rocks. The cabin has a white door and a small roof. The wooden fence is in poor condition and appears to be old.
    ©A small white cabin alone by the beach, surrounded by a wooden fence.|Teddy Bear
    The story of La Poulette
    History of La Poulette: we explain its origins! Alongside the red-roofed lighthouse and the Pointe d’Agon, the Poulette beach hut in Agon-Coutainville is one of the...
    Stone chapel with a calvary at the top of a staircaseA stone chapel is located in the center of a clearing surrounded by trees and lush vegetation. A staircase leads to the entrance of the chapel, where a calvary is visible at the top. The sky is clear and the sun is shining, casting bright light on the scene.
    ©A stone chapel stands in the midst of a lush green landscape, surrounded by trees and vegetation.|Aymeric Picot
    Confidential chapels: focus on small-scale heritage!
    A coutances mer et bocage: confidential chapels but a rich heritage! The département of La Manche, located in the Normandy region of France, is packed with chapels, many of...
    Four people walking in a field of wildflowersFour people are walking through a field of wildflowers under a blue sky with a few clouds. They are dressed in hiking clothes and appear to be enjoying their outdoor adventure.
    ©A day of hiking under a clear sky.|Lea Guillotte
    10 things you need to know about the GR 223
    10 facts about the GR 223: Le Sentier des Douaniers, a hike between land and sea The GR 223, an exceptional hiking route on the Normandy coast, offers an unforgettable journey...
    Sheep grazing in a field near a body of waterSeveral sheep are grazing in a green field near a body of water. The sky is partly cloudy with white and blue clouds. The sheep are scattered in the field, some near the water.
    ©Sheep enjoy the fresh grass near the water.
    Spring recipe : Lamb chops in Calvados sauce
    Spring Flavors: Cotentin Lamb Sublimated with Calvados With the arrival of fine weather, plates are lit up with fresh, gourmet flavors. A land of tradition and gastronomy,...
    Three people walking in a forestThree people are walking on a hiking trail in a forest. They are carrying backpacks and are surrounded by trees and vegetation. The sky is clear and the sun is shining.
    ©A day of hiking in the great outdoors.|Lea Guillotte
    Top 5 hiking trails
    36 tours: our team’s top 5! Anthony, who is in charge of the “filières” and therefore of the “randonnées”, today reveals his TOP 5 favorite tours...
    A family on a camping vacation, reading and eating on a wooden terraceA family is seated on a wooden terrace of a campsite. Two adults and a child are reading illustrated books. A low table between them is filled with food and drinks. In the background, there is a barbecue, a table with chairs, and children's toys. The campsite is surrounded by a wooden fence and greenery.
    ©A family enjoys their free time by reading and sharing a meal on their camping terrace.
    Quiz: Which weekend is right for you?
    What type of weekend is right for you? Take the test! Are you dreaming of a weekend getaway, but can’t decide between relaxation, cultural discovery or countryside/sea?...
    View of a section of an ancient stone castle with an arch and a wooden bridge leading to a doorThis image shows a section of an ancient stone castle. The castle is surrounded by water, with a wooden bridge leading to a stone arch that leads to a door. The castle wall is made of large stones and has several small windows. The sky is blue with a few clouds, and trees can be seen in the background.
    ©Castles were often built near water for defensive and commercial reasons.|Jim Prod
    Medieval monuments in our region
    Dive into history: our medieval monuments How about adding a touch of chivalry to your stay? We’ll take you on a tour of 5 major historic sites from the Middle Ages in...
    Several bikes leaning against a stone wall in a gardenSeveral bikes are leaning against a stone wall in a garden. The wall is covered with vegetation and the bikes are of different colors. In the background, there are green trees and bushes. A sign with the text 'McRELL' is visible on one of the bikes.
    ©Bikes are lined up against a stone wall in a lush garden.|Capax Iso
    Typical springtime in Normandy!
    It’s typical springtime in Normandy! With the return of fine weather, Normandy awakens to a new light. The landscapes are decked out in brilliant colors, the air is...
    Salt fields by the sea with wooden structuresAerial view of salt fields by the sea. Wooden structures are arranged in rows for drying the salt. The ground is sandy and wet, with water reflections between the structures. The sky is clear with a few clouds.
    ©Salt fields stretch along the coast, with wooden structures for drying.
    All you need to know about oysters in 9 questions!
    9 questions to find out all about oysters! What do we know about this little mollusc, known and appreciated since Antiquity? This exceptional product, often found on tables in...