Vendée: The best beaches for your holidays!

The Vendée in western France is made for a relaxing holiday by the sea. Along the 250 km long coast, wild romantic cliffs alternate with endless sandy beaches. Twelve charming holiday resorts line up like pearls along the Atlantic coast. Saint-Jean-de-Monts and Sables d'Olonne are some of them.

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Vendée - 8 special beaches

Vendée - 8 special beaches

Terrière Beach, La Tranche sur Mer

At the northern end of the area of La Tranche sur Mer lies the Plage de la Terrière. Since the beach is unspoiled, it is also often referred to as "the Wild One." Mighty dunes and dense forests surround the charming coastal section. A large parking lot is available. At the beach, you can buy drinks and snacks at a beach bar, and toilets are also available. In the north of the beach, there is a nudist area. Numerous water sports enthusiasts gather at Plage la Terrière, with wind conditions suitable for advanced users. There are two surf camps on the beach.

Sableaux Beach, Noirmoutier Island

The Plage de Sableaux begins south of Saint-Pierre and stretches over several hundred meters to Fort Larron. It is surrounded by oak groves and mighty sand dunes. The beach consists of fine sand, with some fine pebbles found near the sea. In summer, this coastal section is supervised. Since the water at Plage de Sableaux only gradually gets deeper, it is perfect for children. They can build sandcastles on the shallow shore and splash around carefree. At the northern edge, there are showers and a rental for sun loungers. The beach is well-suited for surfers due to the good wind conditions.

The Grande Plage, Les Sables d'Olonne

In the water sports scene, the Grand Plage is widely known. After all, the toughest sailing race in the world starts off its coast. The popular city beach is south-facing. You can reach the flat, fine sandy beach via the waterfront road. Numerous shops invite you to take a shopping stroll along the promenade. Since there are no high waves at the Grand Plage, it is perfectly suitable for families. Even toddlers play safely in the shallow water. The beach is supervised in the summer. Rent a sunshade and a lounger and enjoy the beach atmosphere. Surfers and sailors also get their money's worth.

Plage des Demoiselles, Saint Jean de Monts

The dreamy beach is extremely wide and offers everything needed for a perfect beach day. It includes a variety of water and wind sports, entertainment options for all ages, and sand as far as the eye can see. It gently slopes into the turquoise sea and is very clean, making it the perfect bathing beach for families. Along the chic beach promenade, you will find shopping opportunities, nice restaurants and bars, as well as numerous parking options and access to Plage des Domoiselles. While the northern part of the beach is lively and animated, you will find peace further south. One thing is certain across the entire beach – magnificent sunsets with a view of the Bay of Biscay.

Veillon Beach, Talmont St Hilare

From June to September, the water temperatures at Veillon Beach are suitable for swimming, reaching up to 22 degrees Celsius. The magnificent beach is about 1 kilometer long and is located about 1 kilometer south of Talmont-Saint-Hilaire. You can reach it via a single road that leads through the forests of Bourries and Veillon. Oak and pine forests surround Veillon Beach. Since 2014, it has been awarded the Blue Flag. At high tide, the water in the beach's lagoon shimmers turquoise blue. Here, active visitors enjoy exploring the natural paradise by canoe or stand-up paddling. At the northern end, there is a lifeguard station.

Grande Plage, Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie

About 3 kilometers from the city harbor, the Grand Plage in Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie is located. It is situated south of the estuary where the river Vi flows into the sea. At the clean beach, locals meet vacationers who relax here or engage in water sports. Picturesque dunes frame the edge of the beach. At the Grand Plage, you will find shower cabins and toilets. If you get hungry after swimming, take a walk over to the promenade. Here you will find fish restaurants, bars, and cafés. The Grand Plage is also popular with windsurfers. The conditions are also ideal for stand-up paddling.

Boisvinet Beach, Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie

The beach Plage de Boisvinet is located in the small western French community of Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie on the Atlantic in the Pays de la Loire region. It is situated north near the pier and is a beautiful sandy beach. There is a bit more tranquility here than at the main beach nearby. The infrastructure is excellent and includes toilets and showers as well as lifeguards. Since the beach is near the center, there is also a good selection of bars, restaurants, or cafés in the vicinity. Additionally, there is a sailing center here that offers sailing courses for beginners.

Sauveterre Beach, Olonne sur Mer

The Plage de Sauveterre is shielded by the dense forest of Olonne. A roughly 3.2 km long circular path leads from the center through the untouched nature of the Foret Dominale and along the Sauveterre beach. Between Sauveterre and Les Granges, there is a small nudist area for fans of nude bathing. From June to September, the Sauveterre beach is supervised. You can reach the natural coastal section via a dune. At the gently sloping beach, you can play with children. Additionally, the conditions for kite flying and surfing are ideal. Free parking is available. The fine, wide sandy beach is located north of the center.