Nouvelle-Aquitaine, FRANCE. VENSAC, a small commune found in the Medoc region of the Aquitaine, stretching from the Vensac Plage with it's new housing development called Vensac Océan only 1km from the beach to the D1215 and the Camping Acacias du Médoc to the east. ( about a 10mins drive).
The Village of Vensac with it's local classic the Cafe du Nord and it's night market are well worth a visit if you are in the region during the summer months. Out of the summer season the village is returned to the locals and the pace of life slows down to a steady trot with the rhythm of the seasons.
Just outside the village of Vensac you will find the windmill of Vensac that was first constructed in the XVIII century before being moved 2 km and completely rebuilt at it's present site in 1858 and used by the local farmers to mill grain until 1939. It was restored in 1983 by the great grandson of the last miller and the sails are still turning to this day. Well worth a quick tour where you can still see the "post mill" windmill mechanisms in action.
The Plage of Vensac is an undeveloped stretch of sand beach, (there is are no life guards) with the small dune protecting the road running from Montalivet to Grayan and Hopital. Parking is limited to the beach side ( the old concrete bike track dating back to the 1940's) and at high tide you will not have much beach left over to spread out your towl. You will also find the "water drain" off the forest dampens the sand but don't worry it's natural (the colours can be fantastic with a setting sun).
The surf on this stretch of beach depends on the sandbanks, currents and tides, on a good day multiple 'A' frames will be on offer, with still room to have a few waves with friends. ( during the summer months the surf fills up with 2 "travelling surf schools" and the customers from a surf camp in montalivet using the beach as their home break.
written : 2016 / latest update : 2021