Visit Noirmoutier: the treasure island
Do you know this Vendée island that unveils itself with the rhythm of the tides, only 31 km from our campsite in Vendée? The island of Noirmoutier awaits you with its fine sand beaches, its salt marshes and its rich heritage. From Saint-Jean-de-Monts, this island getaway via the Noirmoutier bridge is a must! Book your stay in our 5-star campsite and set off to discover this pearl of the Atlantic coast.
Key facts about the island of Noirmoutier
| Information | Details |
|---|---|
| Distance | 31 km from Saint-Jean-de-Monts |
| Access | Noirmoutier bridge or Passage du Gois (depending on tides) |
| Must-see sites | Passage du Gois, Bois de la Chaise, salt marshes, Noirmoutier castle, Hôtel de Jacobsen… |
| Activities | Swimming, hiking, kitesurfing, sailing, guided tours, oyster tasting…. |
| Best time | All year round, pay attention to the tides for the Gois |
Culture and historical heritage
To visit Noirmoutier is to immerse yourself in its rich heritage, which explains how the territory was conquered from the sea.
Noirmoutier Castle
In the heart of Noirmoutier-en-l'Île town center, this castle has stood its medieval silhouette since the 12th century. This fortress houses a museum that traces the island's history and the Wars of Vendée. The square keep, about 20 meters high, transports you to the medieval era. The 360° view of the island and the Bay of Bourgneuf will charm you.
Address: Château de Noirmoutier, Pl. d'Armes, 85330 Noirmoutier-en-l'Île, France, 30 km from our campsite.
Prices (indicative): the adult rate is €8 and the child rate is €5.
The Hôtel Jacobsen: Center for Maritime Heritage
This hotel was built in 1761 by Cornil Jacobsen, a wealthy merchant who greatly contributed to the island's development. His son enlarged the residence around 1802, giving it this elegant neoclassical style. Since 2019, this historical monument houses the Center for Maritime Heritage. Ten exhibition rooms take you on a journey through the island's history. The interactive screens make the visit fun! Children love the animated map showing how the island was formed over the centuries.
Address: Hôtel Jacobsen, Centre des patrimoines maritimes, rue Saint-Louis, 85330 Noirmoutier-en-l'Île, France, 30 km from our campsite.
Prices (indicative): the adult rate is €5. The child rate (6-17 years old) is €3. Access is free for children under 6.
Beaches and coastline
Noirmoutier attracts many people for its varied beaches. They are quickly accessible from our campsite with a water park in Vendée.
Le Bois de la Chaise
This forest of 110 hectares, classified since 1936, combines maritime pines and holm oaks in an almost Mediterranean atmosphere. This place is home to many beaches.
La plage des Dames welcomes you with its famous white cabins lined up along the shore. These historic cabins bear witness to 19th-century seaside tourism, when women came to put on their bathing suits out of sight. The jetty juts out over the ocean and offers you an exceptional panoramic view.
The coves follow one another: l'Anse Rouge, nestled between the rocks, les Souzeaux and their opulent villas, la plage du Mardi Gras, the family beach of les Sableaux… All benefit from calm waters, protected from the prevailing winds.
La plage de la Clère
This large beach located in L'Herbaudière stretches for several kilometers. Its fine sand and preserved dunes make it an ideal spot for families. The port of L'Herbaudière, nearby, animates summer evenings with its freshly caught fish restaurants.
Plage de la Clère, All. de la Clère, 85330 Noirmoutier-en-l'Île, France, 32 km from our campsite.
Ports, salt marshes and authentic flavors
A visit to Noirmoutier would not be complete without discovering its traditional economic centers, sources of flavor and authenticity.
The salt marshes and Fleur de sel
The landscape of the salt marshes is absolutely unmissable. These vast expanses, where Noirmoutier salt is harvested, testify to preserved know-how. Tours are organized for travelers wishing to discover the salt worker's work. Beyond common salt, the flagship product is Fleur de sel, harvested from the surface of the basins and prized for its taste qualities.
Oyster and marine life
The island is dotted with several ports, each with a distinct character.
- Le port de l’Herbaudière: it is the main port of the island, ideal for the arrival of pleasure boats.
- Le port du Bonhomme: located in La Guérinière, it is the center of shellfishing activity, perfect for tasting oysters and other seafood.
- Le port de Morin: a fishing and pleasure port, known for its friendly atmosphere and events.
Walks and adventures
The island of Noirmoutier is a paradise for walkers and lovers of board sports!
Le Passage du Gois
This is the flagship attraction that makes Noirmoutier unique! This paved road of 4.2 km connects the island to the mainland at La Barre-de-Monts. The Passage du Gois, a submersible road, disappears under the waves twice a day. You can only cross it at low tide, about 1 hour 30 minutes before and after the time indicated on the signs.
Nine beacons mark the route. These wooden structures allow you to take shelter if the sea rises faster than expected! The spectacle is worth the detour: observe shellfish gatherers collecting clams, cockles, and wild oysters in the bay.
Warning! It is essential to consult the low tide times before engaging. Weather conditions modify crossing times.
Hikes
If you really want to know what to see in Noirmoutier, put on your walking shoes and discover its riches.
- The "Chemin de Mer et de Marais" (Sea and Marsh Trail): this walk immerses you directly in the heart of the salt marshes and ends with the discovery of the picturesque streets of L'Épine.
- Distance: 11.2 km
- Average duration: 3h
- Difficulty level: easy
- In the footsteps of the Jacobsens: this walking tour allows you to discover several sites on the island of Noirmoutier: the outer harbor, the Müllembourg nature reserve, the Jacobsen jetty, the Bois de la Chaise.
- Distance: 7.2 km
- Average duration: 2h
- Difficulty level: easy
Nautical thrills and board sport schools
Activities in Noirmoutier are linked to the water. For those looking for thrills, the island is renowned for:
- its kitesurfing and wingfoil schools, such as Mouv'n Kite (rue de la Pointe, 85630 Barbâtre, France), which offer safe courses, often with permanent radio communication, so you can learn quickly on this ideal body of water.
- its sailing schools, such as F.O.L. 85 (La Bézelle, 85330 Noirmoutier-en-l'Île, France), which offer individual windsurfing and Optimist (for the youngest) courses at sites like the Plage de Mardi Gras in Le Vieil.
Our campsite with a spa in Saint-Jean-de-Monts is your ideal base camp for discovering the wonders of the Pays de la Loire. Visit the island of Noirmoutier and succumb to the island charm that has inspired artists and writers for centuries.