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    Pêche à pied Jard sur Mer

    After high tide, rock pooling is a great bucket list option!

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Distinctive landscapesAbsolutely fabulous

Stunning beaches

The Vendéen coastline boasts 140 km of the most beautiful sandy beaches in the West of France. Its gently sloping beaches are ideal for family beach holidays where the children can enjoy swimming and rock-pooling. Nautical and water sports enthusiasts won’t be disappointed as the Vendée’s coastal resorts have many on offer.

Top 20 most beautiful beaches in France, on the Vendée’s coast

Starting from the north of the Vendée and running southward

DISCOVER TYPICAL FRENCH ISLAND BEACHES ON NOIRMOUTIER AND L'ILE D'YEU

  • 1. Plage du Bois de la Chaise – Noirmoutier en l’île  - a charming sandy cove and its distinctive wooden beach huts.

The French island beaches of Le Bois de la Chaise are tucked into a little corner of paradise, renowned for its crystal-clear water, fine golden sand and charming wooden beach huts. La Plage des Dames beach is protected from dominating sea breezes due to its east facing exposure, its majestic pine and evergreen oak trees. The authentic beach huts, handed down from generation to generation, preserve the charm and outstanding character of this French holiday beach. A perfect picture postcard.  The Bois de la Chaise’s cafes and restaurants offer visitors a pleasant sea view to enjoy a meal or a drink. The L’Anse Rouge beach is another secluded little haven, and one of the island’s beaches the best preserved.  You just need to find the path to get there… shh it’s a secret!
 

  • 2. Plage de Barbâtre – Barbâtre (Ile de Noirmoutier) - the seaside resort of Barbâtre is located at the southern end of the island.

Its 7km long sandy beach is gently sloping and is known to be the warmest area on the island for swimming.
Beach rules for Dogs:
Dogs are allowed on beaches at certain periods 
Plage de Barbâtre -  1st July to 31st August dogs are restricted even on a lead.
Dogs allowed from 1st September to 30th June , but must be on a lead.
Noirmoutier en l'île  - 1st April to 30th September dogs are restricted on all Noirmoutier en Ile beaches even on a lead.

  • 3. Plage Les Vieilles – Ile d’Yeu -  One of the largest coves of this unspoilt coastline.

A perfect location for a family beach holiday, with its long crescent shaped sandy beach, ideal for sunbathing, swimming in addition to various water and leisure sports. The L’Anse des Vieilles is the largest fine sand beach on this epic coastline, located on the south west coast side of the island. Set snugly in the cove is the little Port des Vieilles enables easy access to diverse nautical activities as well as a beautiful view of the Pointe des Corbeaux. 
Beach rules for dogs : dogs are not allowed on this beach.

THE PAYS DE MONTS'S BEAUTIFUL SANDY BEACHES, PART OF THE FRENCH WEST COAST

  • 4. Plage de La Grande Côte  - La Barre de Monts
    A vast beach flanked by dunes and forest it stretches along this rugged coast for several kilometres. Its unusual crescent form offers an impressive, breathtaking panoramic view of the coming and goings of boats, between the Port de Fromentine then onwards towards the bridge of the island of Noirmoutier.
    Beach rules for dogs: dogs are allowed on French beaches at certain periods.
    Plage de la Grande Côte – 15th June to 15th September at low tide (before 9am and after 7pm on a lead)
    16th  September to 14th June at low tide (no time restrictions but must be on a lead)
     
  • 5. Plage du Bois Soret – Notre Dame de Monts
    Ideal for families with young children or adults looking for a quiet holiday beach. Parking is available in shaded areas of the pine forest, around 100 metres from the beach itself.
    Beach rules for dogs: dogs are allowed on the beach from 1st October to 31st March.
     
  • 6. Plage de la Base Nautique - Saint Jean de Monts
    The Plage de la Base Nautique offers one of the most beautiful panoramic views of Saint Jean de Monts and its pier.  A beach of soft sand just perfect for soaking up the sun or simply watching the toing and froing of boats, wind surfers, kite surfers all in a relaxed atmosphere. Or alternatively, admire the setting sun with a drink on the Yacht Club terrace – a privileged moment during the
    holidays.
    Beach rules for dogs: dogs are allowed on the beach from 1st October to 30th April, but on a lead.

A ROCKY GRANITE COAST, SURPRISINGLY WITH COUNTLESS FINE SANDY BEACHES

  • 7. Plage de La Parée Préneau – Saint Hilaire de Riez

This vast sandy beach stretches the length of a sand dune bordering the forest, behind which there is a motorhome parking area and a free car park. The beach has a lifeguard service in July and August and is perfect for kite surf lovers. The Plage de la Parée Préneau is part of the unspoiled holiday beaches of St Hilaire de Riez to the north of Sion sur L’Ocean.
Beach rules for dogs: dogs are not allowed on this beach.

  • 8. La Grande Plage  - Saint Gilles Croix de Vie

This 3.6 km fine sandy beach stretches along the full length of the sand bar. This place is ideal for testing one of the many surf related sports (kitesurf or surfing) or equally for amateurs of land yachting. The Club de la Plage is available for the younger members of the family and the beach is accessible to people with limited mobility via the Tiralo and Hippocampe. Supervised bathing in July and August.
Beach rules for dogs: dogs are not allowed on this beach.

  • 9. La Plage des Dunes – Brétignolles sur Mer

Renowned for its large stretches of sandy beaches and perfect waves, la Plage des dunes is ideal for surfing enthusiasts of all levels. It is one of the most beautiful unspoilt beaches of this coastal resort.
Supervised bathing during the summer season.
Beach rules for dogs:  dogs are not allowed on this beach.

DESTINATION LES SABLES D'OLONNE, PERFECT UNSPOILT HOLIDAY BEACHES

  • 10. Plage des Granges - Olonne sur Mer 

A vast, beautiful sandy beach in the middle of the sand dunes near to Olonne sur mer. It retains a natural, untamed element, wild and peaceful at the same time.
Beach rules for dogs: dogs are tolerated but must be on a lead.

  • 11. Plage de La Paracou – Les Sables d’Olonne

Bordered by the forest and sand dunes, this charming little cove is located near the famous French seaside resort of Les Sables d ‘Olonne. The beach slopes gently towards the sea and at low tide reveals rocky areas just perfect for catching crabs or shrimps. From the beach, marked cycle paths allow you to discover the forest and marsh area further inland.
Beach rules for dogs: dogs are not allowed on the beach.

  • 12. La Grande Plage  - Les Sables d’Olonne

The Grand Plage is one of the most beautiful French beaches on the west coast. South facing, this vast sandy beach is 3 km in length. Called "Le Remblai", this strand is the archetype of the France’s beach resorts, backing onto the town. The resort’s charming seafront has countless cafes and restaurants where you can sit on the terrace and enjoy a drink while soaking up the atmosphere. Various water sports are on offer for the more adventurous as well as beach clubs for the children. The beach is supervised during the summer months.
Beach rules for dogs: dogs are not allowed on the beach.

  • 13. Plage de Tanchet - Château d'Olonne 

Further south, the Plage de Tanchet is tucked neatly into the coast. Fine sand covers most of the beach but has rocky outcrops continuing along the coast to the south. Ideal for rock pooling with the children. It is well known for activities such as surfing, stand up paddle and kayaking.     
Beach rules for dogs: dogs are not allowed on the beach.

RUGGED CLIFFS AND UNTAMED BEACHES, THE DIFFERENT SIDE'S TO FRANCE'S WESTERN COAST

  • 14. Le Veillon - Talmont Saint Hilaire 

A superb fine sandy beach located in the Payré estuary and one of the most remarkable geological and natural sites on the west coast of France. A south facing beach bordered by a dune of almost 1 km long. The Payré estuary flows into the sea bypassing the dune, an impressive pine and green oak forest.
Beach rules for dogs: dogs are not allowed on this beach from 1st April to 15th October.

  • 15. Plage de la Mine – Jard sur Mer

Situated to the west of Jard sur Mer, the Plage de la Mine is one of the most pleasant beaches of this seaside resort. This beautiful sandy beach (unlike the neighbouring beaches which are very rocky) is perfect for sun lovers who wish just to lounge in the sun. Even at low tide swimming is possible. The surrounding natural environment is totally preserved. The coast becomes more rugged from this point, the cliffs of St Nicolas can be observed from the beach.
Beach rules for dogs: dogs are not allowed on this beach.

  • 16. Clemenceau - Saint Vincent sur Jard 

This beach offers a panoramic view of the Vendéen coastline and the Ile de Re just opposite. In front of Georges Clemenceau (a famous politician, France’s Prime Minister in 1906) former house, this charming little sandy beach, nicknamed the Plage de Clemenceau is accessible for bathing at low tide. The beach is bordered by a dike and has a panoramic view of the forest of Longeville sur mer opposite and the coastline stretching further south.    
Beach rules for dogs: dogs are not allowed on this beach in July and August.

  • 17. Les Conches Bud Bud - Longeville sur Mer

The southern part of la plage des Conches named Bud Bud gather’s together all the experienced enthusiast of the surfing world. Bordered by imposing dunes and unspoilt beaches, it is one of the most famous surfing spots on the west coast of France.
Beach rules for dogs: dogs are not allowed on this beach.

FRANCE'S BEACH RESORTS, "THE" PLACE TO BE IN THE SOUTHERN VENDÉE

  • 18. Plage de La Terrière - La Tranche sur Mer

The coastal resort of La Tranche sur mer has one of the most unspoiled beaches in the Vendee. This wide sandy beach stretches for about 2 km bordered by sand dunes and forest. It has supervised bathing areas during the summer months. Many activities such as land yachting and surfing are available to try. There are designated areas for surfing enthusiasts.
Beach rules for dogs: dogs are allowed on this beach outside the areas supervised by life guards.  

  • 19. Sainte Anne - La Tranche sur Mer 

A supervised family beach in the La Grière area. A wide expanse of fine sand making easy access for persons with mobility difficulties. From this delightful sandy beach, we have a splendid view of the beaches at the seaside resort of La Faute sur Mer.
Beach rules for dogs: dogs are allowed on this beach when the lifeguard station is closed.

  • 20. Les Belugas - La Faute sur Mer 

A fine sandy family beach with free parking, situated just opposite the island Ile de Ré and the offshore mussel farms. This is a very pleasant beach where to your left you have a view of the long stretch of sand of the Pointe D’Arcay bordered by a forest.
Beach rules for dogs: dogs are allowed on this beach when the lifeguard station is closed.

Not to be missed

La Roche sur Yon, 370x370

The very heart of the Vendée

Marais poitevin

The Marais poitevin and the green Venice

Jaunay lake

Lakes, rivers, and canals for blue water holidays

tiffauges-370x370

Rolling hills around the Puy du Fou

The island of Noirmoutier

Yeu island

The island of Yeu

Plage du Paracou aux Sables d'Olonne

Coastal resorts and sea ports