ROUTES DES VINS “TERROIR DE BREM SUR MER”

Your journey begins in the peaceful historic district of Saint Nicolas, with its charming Romanesque abbey church. Built before 1020, it is one of the oldest churches in the Vendée and one of the finest medieval monuments in the département, with a remarkable triangular pediment, wall frescoes and a 17th-century crucifix. Open to the public every day of the year (a word of advice: go through the little door at the side) and guided tours in the summer (check dates at the Tourist Office or on our website).
At the end of the impasse du repos, the small cemetery of Saint Nicolas reveals its remarkable Croix Hosannière... .

Climb up the tumulus path to reach the feudal mound. Then carefully descend the wooden steps leading to the Vallée de l'Ecours.

This quiet, shady picnic area, bordered by the Ecours stream, is the perfect place to discover a short, sporty trail. You may come across hikers following the GR®8.

Stop off for a tasting and meet Thierry Michon, the winemaker at Domaine Saint Nicolas. After the Tourist Office, a cellar selling the Domaine is located at 20 ter rue de l'Océan, leur - Tel: 02 51 33 13 04 - www.domainesaintnicolas.com

Thierry Michon, the first winegrower in the Vendée to adopt biodynamic viticulture back in 1993, and his two sons will be delighted to show you the passion they have been cultivating together for 3 generations.
Their wines are first and foremost the expression and sharing of their personalities and the richness of an entire terroir.
Discover the estate in a different way for a day, on foot, by bike or on a scooter.
Escape game, tour of the winery and tastings.

5 Bike Authentic :
Bike hire, repairs and sales of new and used bikes.
Mountain bikes, road bikes, mountain bikes, electric bikes.
Benoit and Laurent are at your service, open all year round.

6 Along the way, Bastien Mousset's team at Domaine l'Orée du Sabia will be delighted to share their passion for white, red and rosé wines with you. All year round at 1 rue du Sablais (opposite the Tourist Office) - Tel: 02 51 96 30 61 - www.loreedusabia.com
Treasure hunts, bike rides...

Enjoy a gourmet getaway at the Michelin-starred (1 star) restaurant, open all year round and located in the Parc des Genêts. Young chef Nicolas Coutant offers bistronomic cuisine for lunch and gastronomic cuisine for dinner. 21 bis rue de l'Océan - Tel: 02 51 96 81 59 - www.restaurant-les-genets.fr

Then relax your legs in the superb park opposite the Tourist Office, with picnic tables, a bowling green, children's games, a cycle path, a multi-sports area and an open-air theatre.
Your children can take part in the 'Justin and the knights' treasure hunt' from the Tourist Office all year round (1h30 - €3 per family, 3 children per card).

At this roundabout, let your imagination run riot as you discover this unique and original stainless steel sculpture by French artist François Lavrat, winner of the European Grand Prix for Sculpture. The sphere, symbol of the earth, emerges from the water where the original forces reign. The knots of the vine, an ancestral activity in Brem sur Mer, stretch across the earth's core. Emerging from the sphere, an arabesque, a symbol of movement, carries the seabirds in a delicious circle around the vine...

If you turn left up the rue du Général de Gaulle, in the centre of the village, Jean-Pierre and Bérangère Richard, passionate winegrowers, will welcome you with authenticity, all year round, at No. 5 impasse Richelieu - Tel: 02 51 90 56 84

Head south along the Route des Sables and you'll come across the charming village of La Gachère. Just before the traffic lights, turn right and leave your car in the car park. Take a stroll through this peaceful fishing village, with its narrow streets, low whitewashed houses and colourful hollyhocks. From the bridge, there's a superb 360° view of the Auzance river, its boats and the Gachère marshes, which are of historical interest because until the end of the 17th century they were used as salt works.
Are you a fisherman? You'll want to stop off on the banks of this arm of the sea, a mixture of fresh and salt water...

Get back in your car, cross the small Gachère bridge and take the 1st right onto rue des Granges. Christian and Delphine Nobiron's winery is 400 metres away, at 15 rue des Granges - Tel: 02 51 33 45 01- 06 01 71 64 21 - www.domainedesgranges.fr

13 You then enter the Domaniale d'Olonne forest. This classified forest is a recent creation. Under the reign of Louis XV, a few private individuals planted maritime pine seedlings on the dunes. But it was the State, through the Ponts-et-Chaussées, which, from 1836 onwards, took charge of establishing a forest environment close to the coast. The aim was to stabilise the dune belt sufficiently to form a natural barrier against the ocean, thus protecting the neighbouring dwellings. The wooded dune contains the forest itself and covers almost 1,200 hectares (2 km wide by 9 km long). It is almost exclusively owned by the State. Since 1966, it has delegated its management to the Office National des Forêts (National Forestry Office), which defends the principle that no building should take place there.

Maritime pine is the dominant species, alongside holm oak, locust, maple, ash and elm.
The undergrowth consists mainly of rosemary, Solomon's seal and orchids.
There are also many species of mushroom, including boletes and morels, as well as phalloides and citrines. Among the most remarkable animal species are roe deer, wild boar, foxes, red partridges, pigeons and turtle doves.

There are plenty of picnic areas in the forest. A 'Vendée Vélo' cycle path links Brem sur Mer to Les Sables d'Olonne (17km). The GR 8 long-distance footpath (signposted in white and red) passes through the forest and continues towards the Pays de St Gilles via the Havre de la Gachère lock. The Plage des Granges is just 2 steps away if you fancy a dip in the sea....

If you go back north on the D80, you'll see the Cave des Vignerons on your left. Patrick Grenson, the passionate Trousseminette producer, welcomes you all year round at 32 rue des Onizières, Tel: 06 14 21 79 16 - 02 51 33 74 29 www.facebook.com/trousseminette.fr - www.facebook.com/la-cave-des-vignerons
This local aperitif has the fruity flavours of the Bremen region, and "Trousseminette" is authenticity in its purest form.

15 On your right as you take the D80, this family-run stable at La Rigordière offers lessons, rides and driving all year round. For all ages with ponies and horses of all sizes, open to all levels and all disciplines. Tel: 07 70 10 88 85 - www.ecurieduboisdelatouche.e-monsite.com

After 1 kilometre, take the Chemin de la Chabossière and then the Chemin de la Versenne to reach La Chabossière. Leave your car in the field provided, cross the small bridge and continue 200 metres on foot through the marshes. In the distance, you'll see an old oyster-farming hut, located at the confluence of 2 rivers, the Auzance and the Vertonne, in the marshes. Romain welcomes you to the Cabane every day in season on this small, unspoilt island of La Chabossière - Tel: 06 76 70 04 60 - www.lacabane-brem.fr
This oyster bar in an exceptional setting is the perfect place to relax in a friendly atmosphere. Enjoy Brem wines (Pajot, Sage...) by the glass or bottle, accompanied by aperitif platters (cheeses, rillettes...), prefou, oyster platters, prawns, whelks....An unforgettable sunset in paradise, far from the hustle and bustle!

In this bucolic setting, let yourself be tempted by the various water sports offered by Caroline Angibaud and Mathieu Babarit from Octosup: canoeing and kayaking, stand-up paddle hire or supervised tours, Hawaiian pirogue. A breath of fresh air in the middle of the marsh!

18 Leaving the Cabane via the Chemin de la C'hnoue and then the Chemin du Bois de la Touche, cross the D38 and take the Rue de la Croix Pénard opposite to the end. At number 70, stop off at Laurent Pajot's cellar - Tel: 06 17 70 27 93 - lolopajot@sfr.fr
Laurent will be delighted to let you taste his range of vin de France wines: white rosé, red and 'chant de bulles' sparkling wines.

At the end of the rue de la Croix pénard, turn left onto the D54 (Vairé-Brem road) and then right onto the chemin du menhir. After 200 metres, on your right, you will see the Crulière menhir in a field, also known as the 'Devil's Stone'.
Continue up the dirt track until you reach the heights of Brem. Turn left and you'll see a superb view of the highest point of Brem at La Crulière, 50 metres above sea level: you can see the bell tower, the ocean and the Olonne forest.

Continue along the Chemin du Grippou to reach the village of La Mignotière, which has retained its winegrowing character thanks to the presence of numerous vines as far as the eye can see.
There are 2 estates in this village:
Chemin des Garennes, winegrowers Eric and Petra Sage are happy to welcome you all year round - Tel: 06 37 75 08 99 - 06 37 68 36 07 - ericsagevigneron@gmail.com - https://ericsagevigneron.fr/
Guided tour of the vineyard in French, English and Dutch, plus wine tasting.

21 Also winegrower Gaël Crochet - 37bis Chemin de Baqueville at La Mignotière

22 Your 'Terroir de Brem' Wine Route is now complete.
Discover horses and ponies, life and nature in a family setting.
Animal mediation workshop.
Open Monday to Saturday by prior arrangement.

Right in the centre, stop off at Notre Dame Church: the 12th-century church was almost entirely rebuilt according to the original plan at the end of the 19th century. All that remains is the western façade, with a portal in the Poitevin Romanesque style that is one of the finest in the Poitou region.
The authenticity of the village centre, with its Romanesque church and former priory now converted into the town hall, will charm you...
A 5km educational interpretation trail highlights the fauna, flora and heritage of the commune (1? hours, signposted in green, starting from the Mairie).

At the roundabout, if you take the RD12 towards St Gilles on the Route de Beaumarchais, you will see this private Renaissance-style property on your right (not open to visitors). Château de Beaumarchais was built in the 16th century by Vincent Bouhier de L'Ecluse on the foundations of an earlier castle built at the turn of the century. It was remodelled in the early 19th century. The facades and roofs of the château, as well as the chimney on the ground floor, have been listed as Historic Monuments since 27 June 1962.

25 At the crossroads where the château stands, turn left onto the Route de la Garde and follow the road to the Calvary de la Croix David, built in 1908 and owned by the Château de Beaumarchais family.
High calvaries with a crucified Christ are very common in the region.
Often built by local families, they are also places of spirituality.

Then retrace your steps, return to the RD12, and turn left towards St Gilles as far as the crossroads. Turn left towards La Sauzaie on Rue de la Grande Sauzaie. At the roundabout, turn right onto rue de la petite Sauzaie. Park in the 1st car park on the route de la Corniche to reach the dunes on your right.
This site is one of the largest non-wooded dune complexes in the Vendée. It has been classified Natura 2000, in particular for its exceptional flora and fauna. You'll enjoy a walk in this unspoilt environment, where you'll be able to observe a number of species that are unique to this environment: breathe in!

27 Each of the beaches in Brétignolles sur Mer offers a different setting:
- The Sauzaie beach to the north, which you have just left, is a wild beach bordered by a rocky coastline and creeks, renowned for its surf spot.

Get back in your car and admire the sea as far as the eye can see on your right as you drive along the superb Corniche road. Around 1.5 km further on, in the Corque cove, the Sainte Véronique rock, a natural monolith, rises like a peak. It was once 6.50 metres high, but part of the point collapsed during a high tide in the early 1960s. It remains the very emblem of this jagged coastline.

To visit this museum, leave the Avenue de la Corniche and go up the Rue du trait neuf and then the Rue du Prégneau. This miniature museum, located at 50 rue du Prégneau, takes around 1? hours to visit (from April to All Saints' Day) - Tel: 02 51 22 47 50. It took Yves Aubron 15 years of titanic 1:10 scale work to create this village, complete with sound and light show, trades, shops and steam locomotive. The company has been awarded the EPV (Entreprise du Patrimoine Vivant - Living Heritage Company) label for its rare expertise.
Relax nearby at the lake and the Morinières park (picnic area, fishing).

30 La Parée beach, which you reach by taking the Avenue de la Corniche, is a lively area during the summer season (concerts, night market on Thursdays, bars, etc.).

If you wish to visit this church (located in rue du clocher), go up into the town centre via rue de la Beschée and avenue de la Plage. Built between 1847 and 1850 on a basilica plan, it features a white marble high altar, a wooden Christ on the Cross dating from the 19th century, statues and a magnificent organ.

32 If you'd like to try the biscuit factory's home-made biscuits and groceries, go past rue de la Beschée to 2 rue du pied de chaume.

Located between Plage de la Parée and Plage du Marais Girard, this restaurant, run by Michelin-starred chef Jean-Marc Pérochon, offers superb sea views all year round. The signs are clear: a Michelin star, Maître Restaurateur, Table Distinguée and 2 Toques Gault et Millau.
The reputation of this Michelin-starred chef from Vendée is well established. The dishes are the result of an almost alchemical preparation that brings out the flavour of local produce in the purest authenticity. The jewels of the region come together, sometimes with an exotic touch inherited from the chef's travels. The flavour of local produce: poultry from Challans, fish from the St Gilles fish market, vegetables from St Hilaire, mogettes from Vendée...
Make a note of the address: 63 avenue de la Grande Roche - Tel: 02 51 33 65 53 - www.lesbrisants.com

34 A great place to stay on the course, this Les Brisants *** hotel welcomes you all year round (Logis, 3 fireplaces).

35 Located at the foot of the customs officers' stele, the stone is a red quartz deposit measuring around 5 metres in height. From the cliff, slightly to the right of the guardhouse, a large quartz vein 50/80 cm thick stretches more than 100 metres out to sea.

36 It reminds us that the Corniche road was built in 1954 on Jacques Hillerin's land.
It was built on the ruins of the old guardhouse.
Built in 1756, it housed the customs officers responsible for monitoring all boardings and landings.
These customs officers collected salt, formerly known as Gabelle.
The ruins of this house were restored in 1968.

Just 200 metres from the beach, at the end of Rue du Marais Girard, this old-fashioned renovated dwelling is ideal for accommodation (ecolodge villas and flat rooms), with a natural swimming pool heated to 28°C during the school holidays.
You can also buy organic vegetables and groceries, or enjoy a meal at the bar/tea room. Open from April to early November, Gîtes de France 4 épis label. Make a note of the address: 116 rue du Marais Girard - Tel: 02 51 33 08 70 - 06 11 73 39 91 - www.lafermedumaraisgirard.fr

Continue along rue de la Source and then rue du Dolmen. Before the roundabout, can you see the dolmen? It supports a 45cm-thick oval table made of quartz, tilted towards the west and resting on 3 supports, 2 of which are made of granite and 1 of quartz. It is known as the 'Devil's Stone': legend has it that the Devil, carrying stones, was surprised to come across the Virgin Mary on his way, so he dropped the stones, which formed the dolmen.
A Neolithic burial site, this megalith is a listed monument.

Ideal for swimming, surfing and kite-surfing, these fine sandy beaches are also ideal for picnics, with a picnic area close to Plage des Dunes 2.

40 Just north of the Dunes beaches, this sandy beach is ideal for your family, as it is naturally sheltered and therefore safer if you prefer.

41 If you're doing the Wine Route in a camper van, you should know that you can park (for a maximum of 12 hours) anywhere in the commune, except on Tuesday and Friday mornings from 6.30am to 2pm from 15 June to 15 September, when the market is held in the car park on the Place du Jardin de l'Océan (formerly the Place de la Poste).
Alternatively, the Aire privée des Chênes verts has 40 pitches and is open all year round (payment by credit card): www.airedeschenesverts.com - 24 rue du Moulin - RD 40, route de la Chaize-Giraud: 06 15 20 95 32.