Sion

Sion surf spot (Saint-Hilaire-de-Riez / Sion-sur-l’Océan, Vendée, France)

Sion is a classic Atlantic beachbreak on the Vendée coast, known for its long sandy beach and consistent waves. It’s a popular spot for surfing, bodyboarding, and beginners to intermediate surfers, depending on conditions.

What it’s like

• Wave type: Sand-bottom beachbreak
• Swell exposure: Open to Atlantic swell, so it can pick up plenty of energy
• Conditions: Can range from soft and playful to punchy and hollow when the sandbanks line up
• Best banks: Changes frequently with tides, storms, and seasonal sand movement

Best for

• Beginners on smaller, mellower days
• Intermediates when the waves are clean and shoulder-high
• Advanced surfers when bigger Atlantic swell and well-formed sandbars create stronger, faster peaks

Tides and wind

• Often works best with mid tide depending on sandbank position
• Offshore winds from the east/southeast can clean up the waves
• Too much onshore wind can make it messy, as with most beachbreaks

Hazards / things to know

• Shifting sandbanks can create rips and uneven takeoff zones
• Can get crowded in summer and on good swell days
• Wave quality is very dependent on sand movement and tide

Overall vibe

Sion is a reliable and accessible Vendée surf beach, ideal if you want a straightforward beachbreak with decent consistency and the chance of good sessions when the banks and swell align.