Places of Interest

LLe Gois

This 4 km submersible road which connects Beauvoir-sur-mer to Noirmoutier Island can only be used at low tide, for 2 and a half hours (1.30 hour before low tide and 1 hour afterwards). Although the current layout dates from the 18th Century, the origins of the Gois go back to 600 A.D. with evidence of the first crossing in 845. Cockle-collecting locals park their cars in the mud, but those who flirt with the tides sometimes have to climb to safety on platforms (balises) along the causeway. Crossing periods are posted on the road at Beauvoir.

Le Gois is 7 miles from St Gervais. Noirmoutier can also be reached via the 600 metre bridge open since 1971 (bridge is 9 miles from St Gervais).

 

LIle de Noirmoutier

The island of Noirmoutier nicknamed the ‘mimosa island’ has an exceptionally mild climate. It has four communes with ten hamlets, a bustling town and villages, beaches, forests, ports and marshes. The old castle was built during the 11th century and completed during the Middle Ages. Visit the dungeon for historical, ethnological and mineral displays.

In a beautiful countryside where nature is protected, roam around the island at your own pace on a bicycle or on foot.

Or why not discover the island aboard the Hippobus , a house-drawn cart. The hippobus departs from Place du Chateau on Noirmoutier. The visit includes a commentary and lasts 1 hour. The Noirmout’train offers a short visit of the island including Chaussee Jacobsen, marshlands, birds reserve, Le Fort Laron, Les Sableaux village & beach, Le Bois de la Chaize, la plage des Dames and returns through the old town.

There are a number of ports on the island of Noirmoutier:

Port du Bonhomme (oyster farming)

Port du Morin (traditional fishing port)

The Port de Noirmoutier-en-l’ile currently used for naval construction and repair, used to be famous for salt exports.

Port de L’Herbaudiere (deep water port).

 

LIle d’Yeu

L’ile d’Yeu is often referred to as the ‘ Pearl of the Atlantic’. On this 23 sqkm island, an hour by boat from Fromentine (6 miles from St Gervais), time seems almost to have stood still. Ile d’Yeu has a lot to offer, from diverse landscapes (sandy beaches and rocky coasts), beautiful picture-postcard houses and a wonderful climate. Visit the Roman church (12th Century) at St Sauveur, follow the rocky coast, discover the old castle or access empty beaches along the coast. The best way to discover the island is on a bike. Park your car at Fromentine. Once arrived on the island, rent a bike from one of the many hire shops along the quay in the main town of Port-Joinville.

 

LSt Gilles Croix de Vie

St Gilles is a busy fishing town, with an active fishing industry. It’s a charming town with many remaining examples of Victorian seaside architecture. Croix de Vie and its marina are situated on the other side of the river Vie.

 

LPornic

The fishing town of Pornic is first and foremost famed for the charms of its coast and the beauty of its resort. With its cliff-side houses, its castle, its sunny port, the sea in shades of pastel or jade, Pornic never fails to captivate visitors. Discover the coastal views by following the coastal path called "Chemin des Douaniers".

Pornic is 23 miles North-West of St Gervais.

 

LCinéscénie Puy-du-Fou

Justifiably regarded as the greatest sound-and-light show in Europe, this glorious summer open-air entertainment at Le Puy-du-Fou, near Les Epesses, uses sophisticated special effects to tell the history of the Vendée. The highlight of Puy du Fou, the Cinéscénie is a thrilling 2 hour pageant unfolding 700 years of history. A cast of 2,700, using sword fights, fireworks, floodlights, and computerised water jets create 'La plus grande nuit d'Europe'!

LDAY EXCURSIONS: 12 SUGGESTIONS

Sallertaine (3 miles)
A pretty village, in summer its shops burst into life with artists and craftspeople (L’Ile aux Artisans), exhibitions of local life are staged in the 12th-century church, and you can rent canoes to paddle along the surrounding canals.

La Maison de l’Ane (6 miles)
Donkey farm and museum, including donkey rides for children. Route du Gois, 85230 Beauvoir-sur-mer. Telephone: 02 51 93 85 70.

Planete RACING (6 miles)
30 ha. domain dedicated to numerous types of racing: jet ski, quad bike, slide-cross, junior quad bike, bike trial, hydro-pedalo, paintball. Les Fontenelles, Route d’Apremont (D58), 85300 Challans. Telephone: 02 51 49 80 78.

L’Ecomusée du Marais Breton-Vendéen, Le Daviaud, near La Barre-de-Monts (6 miles). Over a large area of 60 ha., a traditional marshland farm has been recreated, as a testimony to the history of the marshland. The salt marshes have been restored and traditional harvesting tools and storage methods are used. Salt-making had been widely developed up until the 19th century but had almost disappeared from the area. The farm is a faithful recreation of a working marshland farm as it would have been found at the start of the 20th century.

Port du Bec and Bouin Wind Farm (7 miles)
Once you find this little fishing harbour on the Bay of Bourgneuf (follow signs to l'Epoids) you can see at once why it has been nicknamed the "Port chinois" or "Chinese port". Taste local oysters at the local bars and restaurants, or drive north on the road behind the dike and look at the new wind farm of Bouin (number one in France in terms of wind power).

Parcours Aventure (10 miles)
Tree-based adventure park for all ages. Complexe sportif de la Paree Jesus, 85160 Saint Jean de Monts. Bookings: 06 22 61 45 98.

L’Ile aux Papillons (11 miles)
Largest greenhouse in France, with hundreds of butterflies from 4 corners of the world amongst tropical plants and flowers. Open 10.00 to 19.00. La Guérinière, ZA des Mandeliers 85680 La Guérinière, Noirmoutier. Telephone: 02 51 35 77 88.

Mini Village (12 miles)
Discover regional houses of France reproduced to 1/8th using authentic regional building materials. Animals feeding time, games for kids, shop. Open 10.00-19.30 tel. 06 81 21 69 88. From the centre of Noirmoutier-en-l’Ile, direction l’Epine, Noirmoutier Island.

Parc Oceanile and Sealand Giant Aquarium (12 miles). Oceanile is an aquatic park with artificial wave swimming pool, water chutes and slides, torrent, slow river, hot geyser, cascade and kids games. Oceanile, S.A. Bodin, Site des Oudinieres, Route de Noirmoutier, 85740 L’Epine, Noirmoutier. Telephone: 02 51 35 91 35. Open 10.00-19.00.

Sealand Aquarium includes tropical fish, sea lions, tortoises, sharks. Open 10.00-20.00. Sealand, Le Vieux Port de Noirmoutier, B.P. 525, 85330 Noirmoutier. Telephone: 02 51 39 08 11

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Les Sables d’Olonne (25 miles)
The popularity of the fine, curving sands has helped to preserve one of the most elegant beach promenades in Western France. Behind the 18th Century explanade, hilly streets lead to a lively port on the sea channel. Opposite, the fishing village of La Chaume has a chic marina.

Logis de la Chabotterie, St-Sulpice-le-Verdon (42 miles)
Elegant stone manor house and garden, exquisitely restored and furnished to give an idea of late 18th-century life. Recalls the story of local hero Charette and the Wars of Vendee. Telephone: 02 51 42 81 00.

Puy du Fou (60 miles) Even if you do not attend the evening Cinescenie, do not miss the amazing Puy du Fou theme park, located in central Vendée, south-east of Nantes. A massive medieval fort is the stage for battles, siege warfare and incredible special effects. In the Grand Parc you'll see falconry displays, a water theatre and faithfully recreated Renaissance gardens and 18th century village life. Open all summer until mid September. Puy du Fou is 60 miles from St Gervais. Bookings: 02 51 64 11 11.

 

Tourism Office

For details of local events during your visit, find out at your local tourist office.

Office du Tourisme Beauvoir-sur-mer, rue Charles Gallet, BP 16, 85230 Beauvoir-sur-mer. Telephone: 02 51 68 71 13. Fax: 02 51 49 05 04

Office du Tourisme Challans, BP245, Place de l’Europe, 85302 Challans. Telephone: 02 51 93 19 75