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Relaxation, sun and swimming in the Pays de Saint Gilles Croix de Vie
Those looking for relaxation, swimming, holidays, watersports and gathering seafood by hand will be delighted with the 32 kilometres of coastline in the Pays de Saint Gilles Croix de Vie
You are guaranteed to be blown away by these beautiful beaches, some of them intimate ones hidden in coves along the rocky coast, some of them vast stretches of sand.
Families tend to prefer the vast sandy beaches, with leisure activities and relaxation, on-duty lifeguards and the horizon stretching out before you, but the little rocky coves are also well worth the detour.
You can choose to simply do nothing…. Just sunbathe and relax in the sun
Our beaches are the ideal places to relax, let go and completely unwind!
Saint-Hilaire-de-Riez
Plage des 60 Bornes: a sandy beach with a look-out post in July and August.
Brétignolles-sur-mer
Plage des Dunes: this beach is so vast that you are guaranteed to find a spot to sunbathe in peace.
Where can we go swimming with children where there’s a lifeguard and beach club?
Saint-Hilaire-de-Riez
Plage de Sion: on-duty lifeguard in July and August, and a kids’ club for children aged between 3 and 12.
Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie
Plage de Boisvinet: the Corsaires Club is open in July and August for children aged between 3 and 13.
Grande Plage: The Mickey-Belugas Club is open in July and August.
Where can we find shellfish?
Our rocky coasts are ideal if you’re looking for bean clams, clams, winkles, sea urchins, shrimp, limpets or little crabs.
Saint-Hilaire-de-Riez
- Plage des 5 Pineaux
- Plages des Bussoleries
- La Pelle à Porteau
Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie
- Plage de Boisvinet
Brétignolles-sur-mer
- Plage du Marais Girard
- Plage de la Sauzaie
Where can we head out to sea?
Our beaches where you can try out some exciting activities at the watersports centre
Saint-Hilaire-de-Riez
Plage des Demoiselles: watersports centre with courses and one-to-one lessons. Equipment to hire for windsurfing, surfing, stand-up paddle, sand yachting and other various watersports.
Plage de Sion: watersports centre with courses and one-to-one lessons. Equipment to hire for sailing, windsurfing, sea kayaking, surfing and stand-up paddle.
Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie
Plage de Boisvinet: watersports centre with courses and one-to-one lessons. Sailing dinghies, catamarans, windsurfing and sea kayaking equipment available to hire.
Grande Plage: sand yachting, stand-up paddle and surfing lessons.
Brétignolles-sur-mer
Plage de la Normandelière: this is the place to be for watersports fanatics: catamaran, windsurfing, waveski surfing, sailing, ‘optimist’ boats (sailing club and municipal sailing school).
Where can we go for a rush of adrenaline?
Our beaches that are perfect for extreme sports.
Saint-Hilaire-de-Riez
There is a special area for kitesurfing between the Salins and Becs beaches.
Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie
Grande Plage: during the peak season, surfing, longboard surfing and kitesurfing is only authorised in a limited area, on the south side of the Grande Plage, ‘La Passerelle’.
Brétignolles-sur-mer
Plage de la Sauzaie: this is a popular place for experienced surfers from all over the world. It is one of the best places for surfing in the Vendée (waves only suitable for experienced surfers).
Plage des Dunes 1 and 2: specific areas for surfing and kitesurfing. Surf schools and equipment to hire on the beach.
Where can we find the ‘tiralo’ and ‘hippocampe’ beach wheelchairs?
Our beaches that facilitate access to the sea for people with reduced mobility.
Saint-Hilaire-de-Riez:
- Plage des Demoiselles
- Plage des Becs
- Plage des Mouettes
- Plage de la Pège
- Plage de Sion
- Plage des Bussoleries
Brétignolles-sur-Mer:
- Plage de la Normandelière
- Plages des Dunes 1 and 2
Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie:
- Plage de Boisvinet
- Grande Plage: ‘handinautisme’ (disabled access to sand yachting and sailing all year round with Semvie Nautisme).
