During your camping holiday in Normandy, you’ll surely spot some surprising wind-powered vehicles on the long beaches: land yachts. Not only can you watch them racing across the sand at incredible speeds, you can also easily try this activity at one of the many clubs along the coast.
Land sailing, a must-do activity in Normandy
A simple four-wheeled vehicle fitted with a sail, land sailing dates back to Antiquity. In Egypt, in China, and much later in the Netherlands, it was used to transport people and materials using only the power of the wind. It wasn’t until the early 20th century that land sailing arrived on French beaches as a fun, sporty activity. It was an instant hit. In the 1950s, the first clubs were created, and the French Land Sailing Federation was founded in 1964.
Made up of a chassis you sit in and a rig, land sailing is best enjoyed on long, flat sandy beaches where particularly high speeds can be reached when weather conditions allow. That’s why it’s a must-do in Normandy. Normandy’s beaches are long, wide, and flat; winds from the English Channel blow strongly there all year round. Today there are more than twenty clubs in Normandy, and several land-sailing competitions are regularly held in Collevile-sur-Mer, Deauville, Villers-sur-Mer, and Saint-Aubin-sur-Mer.
Omaha Beach, one of the best land-sailing spots in Normandy
The D-Day beaches are particularly well suited to land sailing in Normandy. One of the best land-sailing spots in France is Omaha Beach in Colleville-sur-Mer. The historical significance of this beach—named by the Allies during the 1944 landings—is considerable. It’s a place of remembrance and reflection not to be missed during your holiday in Normandy. Stretching 8 kilometers, it’s also ideal for great land-sailing rides. Crossing Omaha Beach by land yacht is a unique way to discover this history-filled place. On Omaha Beach, the best provider for learning land sailing safely is called Eolia Normandie.
Eolia Normandie opening times and prices
Several days a week, from February to December, one or two land-sailing sessions are organized on Omaha Beach by Eolia Normandie. The schedule for these sessions can be viewed on their website.
Prices depend on the participant’s age. Note that to try land sailing, you must be over 8 years old. A supervised 2-hour session costs €32 for children aged 8 to 11, €37 for teenagers aged 12 to 17, and €42 for adults. Since one session isn’t enough to fully enjoy the thrills of land sailing, 3- or 5-session packages are available. The 3-session package costs €90, €102, or €114 depending on age. The 5-session package costs €142, €158, or €174. These packages can also be used to try catamaran sailing.
During a land-sailing session with Eolia, waterproof trousers, a windbreaker, and a helmet are provided. It’s recommended to wear warm clothing and closed-toe shoes, preferably waterproof. Also bring a pair of gloves and a change of clothes.
Eolia Normandie is located near Omaha Beach at a place called Le Cavey in Colleville-sur-Mer. From Utah Beach campsite in Sainte-Marie-du-Mont, it takes about 45 minutes by car to get there via the N13, which crosses part of the beautiful Cotentin and Bessin Marshes Regional Nature Park.
Don’t miss the chance to try this little-known but incredibly fun sport during your camping holiday in Normandy!