The island of Noirmoutier

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Presentation

Located an hour from Pornic, the island of Noirmoutier will surprise you with its beautiful escape between land, sea and marshes. 

Crossing the Bay of Bourgneuf to reach Noirmoutier is a real island getaway.

Nicknamed ‘the island of mimosas’ for its mild climate, Noirmoutier is a destination with many faces. Arriving on the island marks the beginning of a timeless, sea-air break.
Although close to Pornic, Noirmoutier has a strong identity, marked by its low, whitewashed houses with pink tiles, its beaches, its forests and woods of maritime pines and holm oaks, its salt marshes, its ports and its charming seaside villas.


If you can reach this island, there are three options available: 

• by car or bicycle, crossing the Noirmoutier Island bridge, which is free to use.
• Using the picturesque ‘Passage du Gois’. This famous passage is only accessible at low tide and allows you to reach Noirmoutier more quickly by car from Pornic.
• Boarding the Evasion III, as in summer you can also get there via the Pornic-Noirmoutier boat service.

Discover Barbâtre and the surrounding area. From the Pont de l'Île de Noirmoutier, the unspoilt nature of this town, between the Atlantic Ocean and the Baie de Bourgneuf, gives you the chance to explore its footpaths.  Other activities include cycling on the cycle paths, sand yachting and board sports. Contemplate nature in the Polder de Sébastopol nature reserve or in the Barbâtre pine forest, with its maritime pines and dunes.

Then discover La Guérinière. Situated in the narrowest part of the island, it borders the Atlantic and is characterised by its dunes. Here you can see mills, notably the Both mill, which watches over the moored boats. The oyster-farming port of Le Bonhomme is home to typical fishermen's huts and provides access to the shellfish beds in the Baie de Bourgneuf.

L'Epine is famous for its marshes and woods. Explore the wild marshland near the Luzéronde dunes, the 3km-long beach and the Morin harbour, home to fishing boats and pleasure craft. At low tide, the rocks and sandpits, rich in shellfish, slip away beneath your feet.

Finally, in the north of the island, discover Noirmoutier-en-île. Its town centre is dotted with narrow streets, buildings, places steeped in history and shops, restaurants and cafés. Outside the centre, the Bois de la Chaise with its maritime pines and holm oaks invites you to take a stroll. The small village of Le Vieil and its beach offer a relaxing place to cycle. Once past the agricultural plain, discover the fishing and yachting port of l'Herbaudière.

 Three good reasons to discover Noirmoutier:

1. The legendary Passage du Gois experience: this 4.2 km submersible road, unique in the world, is only accessible at low tide. It is a paradise for shore fishermen and an unforgettable adventure to cross the ocean ‘dry-footed’ (be sure to check the tide times!).
2.  The retro charm of the Bois de la Chaise: With its iconic white beach huts, coves lined with holm oaks and sumptuous 19th-century villas, this neighbourhood embodies seaside elegance. It's the perfect place for a bike ride in the shade of the pine trees or a swim at the Plage des Dames.
3. A gourmet and authentic terroir: Noirmoutier is a feast for the senses! From the famous Bonnotte potato (harvested by hand in May) to the salt from its traditional salt marshes and the fresh oysters enjoyed in the huts of the port of La Guérinière, the island is a treat for the taste buds.

Bonus features:

• On the road to the island or on your way back, treat yourself to a total immersion in the Breton Vendée marshlands by visiting Le Daviaud. Located in La Barre-de-Monts in Vendée, this eco-museum, a Musée de France since 1982, immerses you in the heart of an exceptional natural area with a rich culture and heritage and remarkable biodiversity, through lively and modern museography. 
• For total immersion, opt for cycling on Noirmoutier. The island has a network of perfectly flat cycle paths, ideal for connecting the medieval castle to the fishing ports in complete serenity. 
• Take advantage of your exploration to discover the largest tropical butterfly greenhouse in France, located in Noirmoutier-en-l'île, at L'Île aux Papillons. 

Information

• SITUATION :
  • North of Vendée and islands

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