Holidays in the Vendée: heading for the island of Noirmoutier
The island of Noirmoutier: an exceptional holiday resort in the Vendée
Coming from the mainland and just after passing the Noirmoutier bridge or the Gois passage, you'll find this respectful island! In the Bay of Biscay, the island of Noirmoutier represents one of the most pleasant holiday locations in the west of France. It is less than an hour from our camping in Vendée.
The Ile de Noirmoutier is the nature destination of the Vendée coastline, with an incredible diversity of landscapes: beaches, forests, marshes and dunes, remarkable flora and fauna. A day on the island and you'll come back with a change of scenery! You can enjoy some great bike rides along the dyke, and you'll find a protected site classified as a "Regional Nature Reserve" (many scientists and nature lovers come here for birdwatching; 170 species of birds can be seen on the Sébastopol polder, for example!).
You'll also be able to enjoy many beaches that are diverse and varied in appearance, they are located all around the island. You'll find typical dwellings and little flower-filled lanes. Finally, you can sample the local seafood-based cuisine or admirethe salt marshes and discover the secret of white gold...
The island of Noirmoutier has something to appeal to young and old alike! All the conditions are there to offer visitors quality time on the premises. Especially as its size means it can be visited in a day.
What can you visit on the island of Noirmoutier?
The island of Noirmoutier meets the expectations of all holidaymaker profiles. Nature lovers? Water sports enthusiasts? Looking for new culinary discoveries? Want to visit some of the finest heritage sites in the Vendée? Whether you're visiting the region as a family, with friends or on your own, don't miss out onthe island's must-sees according to visitor reviews.
The salt marshes
It's impossible to pass through the island of Noirmoutier without visiting the salt marshes. Emblematic of the island since the Vème century, the salt marshes are typical landscapes characterised by bassins en mosaïque that take you to meet the sauniers.
Le Bois de la Chaise
The Bois de la Chaise isthe island's green lung. Spending a moment at the Bois de la Chaise looks set to be a promising one. Here you'll find some of the most beautiful beaches on the island of Noirmoutier. For example: plage des Souzeaux, plage de l'Anse Rouge and plage des Dames, the island's number one beach in the 20th century. With its forest of mimosas, oaks and maritime pines and its small, characterful chalets, Bois de la Chaise has a pleasant atmosphere that invites you to relax and get away from it all.
Noirmoutier-en-l'Île
Lose yourself in the charming little streets of the island's capital, with their white houses and blue shutters. You'll also discover the church of Saint-Philibert and the famous Hôtel Jacobsen. The other nearby villages also await you: la Guérinière, Barbâtre, l'Herbaudière and l'Épine.
The port of Herbaudière
This port is located to the north of the island of Noirmoutier, and was the first marina to be built in the Vendée. If you fancy a little cruise, you've come to the right place. L'Herbaudière is also home to a fishing port, as well as numerous small shops and restaurants where you can taste the bonnotte, the potato grown on the island.
Noirmoutier: focus on the Gois Passage
This mythical 4km causeway allows you to reach the island of Noirmoutier from the mainland at low tide. Crossing this road is one of the flagship activities in Noirmoutier. Very recently classified as a "Site of National Interest and Heritage", the Passage du Gois links the mainland to L'île de Noirmoutier at low tide. It's a unique site in Europe and a sunset over the Gois is an exceptional moment... Great photos are guaranteed!
The Passage du Gois is renowned for its wealth of clams, cockles and wild oysters. Fishing on foot is a tradition! You can get there by car, and park on the sandbar. However, beware of the times and movements of the tides, and check the notice boards on either side of the passage well in advance. Every year, several tourists leave their cars in the sea, surprised by the rising water!
In June, don't miss the famous "race against the sea" since 1987, a competition, "les foulées du Gois", (apart from the event reserved for 30 professional runners) brings together thousands of amateur participants and spectators!
The Tour de France 2018 highlighted this crossing. A must-see, when you visit the island of Noirmoutier!
