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Playspot: France, South, River Durance, Rabioux.

What's it like

One of the most famous waves in Europe. Best time is June-July (enough volume to make Taifuns fly; see this picture), when the wave gets really fast. There are spotlights after dark, so you can play until midnight! Late summer, you actually have to wait until 22:00H for the best water levels. The water is very cold and you almost always have a strong wind in your face.

The Durance Valley is a dream if you like sports: more than 300 days of sun each year, lots of creeky rivers, famous ski resorts in winter, hang-gliding, you name it.

How to get there

[ If you look on a map, note that 'Rabioux' is actually the name of a little tributary of the Durance flowing into it just upstream of the wave] The wave itself is located on the Durance near the 'Camping Le Rabioux'. On the N94 between Briancon and Embrun, take the exit Chateauroux/Vallee du Rabioux (NB this is the second Chateauroux exit, whichever side you're approaching from). From here, follow any signs that have the words PLAYAK.COM, Rabioux or Eau Vive on them.

More info

Camping Municipal Le Rabioux: +33 4 92434378.
Web cam.

Locals

The (w)hole of Europe.

Events

The Rabioux River Festival takes place almost yearly in August..

Info sources

Guus Duijvestijn, Rob Rutten, Joempie

Nearest weather station (°C):