A stay in Vendée: what to do in Noirmoutier?
Did you know that mimosas bloom here in the middle of winter? Noirmoutier Island is no ordinary destination. It enjoys a unique microclimate in Vendée. Have you booked your holiday at our 4-star campsite in Saint-Jean-de-Monts? You can easily visit Noirmoutier, which is located just 33 km from your accommodation! You will be able to explore its town centre, stroll along its beaches, wander through its woods, and even discover its marshes. Here is your roadmap to discovering this island!
Visit Noirmoutier at a glance
- Discover the Passage du Gois: A unique road submerged at high tide, perfect for shore fishing at low tide.
- Visit the salt marshes: Watch the salt workers harvest the famous "fleur de sel."
- Cycle to the Sébastopol Polder: Admire avocets and egrets in a peaceful setting.
- Dive into history and heritage: Visit Noirmoutier Castle, the Hôtel Jacobsen, and the Jacobsen Jetty.
- Stroll through the Bois de la Chaise: Discover its charming woods and iconic beaches.
- Taste local flavours: Enjoy "bonnotte" potatoes, fresh oysters, and fish straight from the harbour.
- Join the festivities: Don’t miss the Fête de la Bonnotte, La Déferlante festival, and summer sailing regattas.
Strolling along the Jacobsen Jetty
The Jacobsen Jetty, built in 1810 by Jean Corneille Jacobsen, takes you on a 1.5 km walk between the sea and the marshes, in the heart of the Petit and Grand Müllembourg salt works.
This long dike, which protects the outer harbour and reaches Fort Larron, is the starting point for the trail "In the Footsteps of the Jacobsens" (Sur les traces des Jacobsen). This 7.2 km marked circuit takes about 2 hours to complete. Through 8 illustrated panels, you can dive into the history of this family of salt merchants.
Keep your eyes peeled: birds, polders, and a wide panorama of the Bay of Bourgneuf will accompany you!
Practical tips:
- Departure: Étier du Moulin car park (near Quai Jean Bart).
- Equipment: Comfortable walking shoes are recommended for this circuit.
Visiting the Bois de la Chaise
Head to the northeast of the island to discover the famous Bois de la Chaise. Here, the atmosphere feels almost Mediterranean with its evergreen oaks and mimosas.
Tucked away in this forest are beautiful beaches like Les Sableaux and the iconic Plage des Dames. With its wooden pier and white beach cabins, the latter seems frozen in time. The painter Auguste Renoir even set up his easel here in 1892. It is the perfect spot to visit Noirmoutier with your family and take souvenir photos of your Vendée holiday.
Visitor tip: Admire the typical 19th-century seaside villas hidden among the wooded lanes, or take a detour to the Tour Plantier (Anse Rouge).
Discover the island's flavours
The Vendée sea air is sure to work up an appetite! Noirmoutier is an exceptional land for food lovers:
- The Bonnotte: The star of the region! This early potato, with its slight chestnut flavour, is grown in soil enriched with seaweed.
- Oysters: For an ultra-fresh tasting experience, head to Port du Bonhomme (La Guérinière). Oyster farmers serve you directly "from the bed to the plate" in their traditional huts.
Looking for the best spots to discover the island's delicacies? Head to Port de l’Herbaudière to buy fresh fish at the fish market and watch the trawlers return. And don't miss the local markets:
- Noirmoutier-en-l'Île: Tuesdays, Fridays, and Sundays.
- L'Herbaudière: Mondays (only if you visit Noirmoutier during the high season).
Crossing the Passage du Gois
It’s much more than just a road! The Passage du Gois is a unique curiosity found nowhere else in the world. Twice a day, the sea covers this 4.2 km causeway. It is the essential first step if you are looking for things to do in Noirmoutier.
Open your windows, drive slowly over the slippery cobblestones, and look out for the 9 rescue towers (balises-refuges). These serve as perches for birds at high tide, but also as emergency shelters for reckless drivers!
It is also one of the best places to visit in Noirmoutier if you enjoy shore fishing. At low tide, equipped with your boots, you can harvest cockles and clams directly from the sand.
Vital information: The Gois is only passable 1 hour 30 minutes before and 1 hour 30 minutes after low tide. You must check the tide times before leaving our seaside campsite in Vendée.
Discover the white gold of the salt marshes and the Sébastopol Polder
Once on Noirmoutier Island, the landscape transforms! You are entering the territory of the salt workers. Did you know that salt marshes cover one-third of the island?
In summer, the water in the salt pans turns pink thanks to Dunaliella salina, a microscopic sun-loving algae. Watch the salt worker delicately handle their "las" (a long wooden rake) to harvest the fleur de sel. Don't hesitate to stop at a "salorge" (wooden salt hut) to buy your salt or a jar of samphire directly from the producer.
Continue toward the Sébastopol Polder, a bird sanctuary that is a must-visit! Far from the busy beaches or the town centre, you can observe avocets and egrets in absolute calm.
Tip: Cycling is the best way to get lost (in the best way!) on Noirmoutier Island. The cycle paths wind through the salt pans, far from cars, for total immersion.
Dive into the history and heritage of Noirmoutier Island
To truly visit Noirmoutier, you must understand its soul. Head to the town centre of Noirmoutier-en-l'Île to discover:
- Noirmoutier Castle: This 12th-century keep is one of the best-preserved in Western France. It houses a poignant history linked to the Wars of the Vendée. General d'Elbée was executed here in 1794, shot while sitting in a chair because he was too wounded to stand! This chair is still on display in the museum.
- Hôtel Jacobsen: Located near the harbour, this maritime heritage centre immerses you in the history of the polders and the island's development.
Attend Noirmoutier’s festivities
Still looking for things to do in Noirmoutier? The island lives to the rhythm of its events:
- Fête de la Bonnotte: Celebrate the harvest of the island's famous potato in May.
- Festival La Déferlante: Enjoy street shows, contemporary performances, heritage exhibitions, concerts, and fireworks in July.
- Les Régates du Bois de la Chaise: This is the major event of August. Dozens of traditional sailing ships (old gaffers) sail in the bay.
- Noirmoutier Theatre Festival: During the summer, open-air performances bring the island's heritage sites to life.
After such a busy day visiting Noirmoutier, the return to Saint-Jean-de-Monts is a smooth one. Our wellness area with a hammam is waiting for you to soothe your muscles. Or perhaps you’d prefer a few laps in our heated indoor pool? That’s the true advantage of staying at L’Abri des Pins! Book your stay now at our campsite with a water park in Vendée!