Plage du Petit Bec is a stunning beach located in Les Portes-en-Ré, Charente-Maritime, Poitou-Charentes, France. This beach is situated in the northern part of the Rivière hamlet, bordering the Lizay forest and a large dune area. It is adjacent to the Grande Conche des Baleines in St Clément and is part of the Lizay des Portes en Ré. The beach provides a magnificent view of the Baleines lighthouses to the left and the Vendée coast.
The beach is characterized by its large waves, making it popular among surfers, especially during rough sea conditions. It is also suitable for other water activities such as bodyboarding. However, it is advised for beachgoers to stay between the appropriate flags due to the presence of rocks in the water. For those who prefer swimming, it is recommended to choose the left side of the beach as the right side has many rocks that are exposed at low tide.
Plage du Petit Bec provides basic amenities including toilets, and is suitable for leisure activities. The beach is also known to be dog-friendly, but dogs are not allowed when lifeguards are present. Furthermore, it is horse-friendly, although visitors are advised to be cautious as many horse riders are often first-timers and may not have full control of their animals.
Parking is available near the beach, although it can be challenging at times. For those seeking a quieter and more private beach experience, they can head east a few hundred metres from the car park. This area is also suitable for nudists. To avoid the crowd, visitors are advised to arrive in the morning and leave by 1300 hr, during which they can enjoy a more private beach experience.
To reach Plage du Petit Bec from St Clément, visitors can take the D101 road towards Les Portes-en-Ré. At the Rivière hamlet, they should turn right towards the Maison de la Dune. They should then follow the road to Petit Bec and take a left at the fork. The access to the beach is through a path on the dune.
