Surfing the Mascaret – France's Most Extraordinary Wave

The Mascaret is one of the most extraordinary waves in the world. Instead of rolling towards the sea, it travels upstream, making western France a true bucket-list destination for surfers.

Photographer, multi-sport athlete and passionate traveller Moritz Reulein fulfilled a long-time dream by finally surfing the famous tidal wave in Saint-Pardon near Bordeaux. He shares what makes the Mascaret so special, when it appears and why it’s the perfect destination for a road trip by campervan or motorhome.

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What kind of wave is the Mascaret?

It’s not an ocean wave, and it’s not a classic river wave either: the Mascaret is a freshwater tidal wave that travels upstream – and one that every surfer should ride at least once in their life. There are only around 70 places worldwide where this natural phenomenon occurs.

The basic requirement is a river flowing into a sea with a significant tidal range. As the tide comes in, it forces the water back up into the river, creating a wave twice a day that moves against the current. However, it also requires other factors, such as a narrowing of the riverbed that causes the water to build up.

And all of that comes together in western France, along the Dordogne and Garonne. I’m at the Atlantic very often and had already been there twice without catching the wave. Once I was in the wrong spot, another time I simply didn’t paddle fast enough. This time I was well prepared, everything came together – and it was an incredible feeling.

Where are the surf spots?

Saint-Pardon is considered one of the best-known places to surf the Mascaret. The small village is only a few kilometres from Bordeaux, making it the perfect stop on a surf road trip through south-west France.

You leave the motorway and just ten minutes later you’re already standing on the banks of the Dordogne. When we visited in June, it was completely quiet. A few hours before the wave arrived, the locals started showing up with their boards. They were incredibly friendly, genuinely happy that we were there, and we paddled out together.
In summer it’s a different story. The village turns into a real surf spectacle with a great atmosphere and food trucks. Even if you don’t surf yourself, it’s well worth visiting just to experience the unique vibe.

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How do I surf the wave?

Without perfect timing, you’ll miss the wave. That’s why checking the tide calendar is one of the most important parts of planning a Mascaret surf trip.

The wave becomes surfable from a tidal coefficient of around 95. At least half an hour beforehand, you drift downstream, get out onto the riverbank and wait.

You don’t just notice when the river changes direction—you already know exactly when it will happen. Dedicated Mascaret calendars accurately show the times at which the wave passes each village along the Dordogne and Garonne. Here‘s the tide calendar for Saint-Pardon, complete with tidal coefficients and times. The best surfing windows are even highlighted in pink. The higher the tidal coefficient, the stronger the wave.

View the tide calendar

What board should I use?

The wave is relatively flat, so boards with plenty of volume work best. A longboard or SUP is the ideal choice, although a foil can work as well.

Where can I stay and what else is there to do?

Behind the sports fields there’s a grassy area where many surfers stay with their campers.
Another highlight is the nearby Médoc wine region. One evening we drove out and spent the night surrounded by vineyards. It was simply unforgettable.

Travelling to the Mascaret by campervan or motorhome

One of the biggest advantages of a road trip to the Mascaret is the freedom to stay flexible. Since the wave only appears at specific times depending on the tides, you can plan your day around the conditions without feeling rushed.

Travelling by campervan or motorhome lets you stay close to the action while exploring Bordeaux, the Atlantic coast and the Médoc wine region at your own pace. Wherever the next adventure awaits, you’re free to follow it.

Moritz Reulein

Surfer, biker and filmmaker – Moritz lives where others go on holiday. Always on the move between the Atlantic coast, the Alps and Sardinia, he combines adventure with his work as a photographer and takes us along on his Camper journeys.

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