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Have you got a question about the Pays de Saint Gilles Croix de Vie?
You might just find your response in the following FAQ. Here we’ve compiled all the main questions that we are asked about our destination. Our holiday advisors are available to answer any other questions you may have.
Practical info
The different means of transport available
Here, you’ll find information about all the means of transport in the Pays de Saint Gilles Croix de Vie, as well as where to park.
Withdrawing money (euros)
If you are looking to withdraw money (euros), there are several possibilities:
– You can use the cash machines inside or outside the banks
– At the welcome desk inside the bank
– In most supermarkets
There is no bureau de change in the Pays de Saint Gilles Croix de Vie.
Opening days and times
Shops:
Most of the shops in the local area are open from Monday to Saturday and on Sunday mornings. In the summer season, the shops in the popular tourist areas are also open on Sunday afternoons. Some shops might close for lunch between 12:30pm and 2pm.
Supermarkets are closed on Sunday afternoons.
Restaurants:
During the peak season, restaurants are open 6 or 7 days a week, and they usually serve food between 12pm and 2pm and then from 7pm to 10pm. Some restaurants serve all day long.
Post Office / Banks:
‘La Poste’ post offices are usually open from Monday to Saturday lunchtime.
The banks are open from Monday to Friday or from Tuesday to Sunday.
Useful information for travelling with a dog
Are you planning on going on holiday with your dog? We’ve got all our top tips for you to make sure you have a great holiday with your dog in the Pays de Saint Gilles.
Phone calls
To or from the United Kingdom:
Calling the United Kingdom from France: 00 + 44 + code for the town without the 0 at the beginning + 8 numbers of the local number.
Calling France from the United Kingdom: 00 + 33 + the number you wish to reach without the 0 at the beginning.
Internet access, Wi-Fi and working remotely
Wi-Fi zones:
There is an unlimited wifi connection at all 4 of our Tourist Information Offices.
Computers available to use:
The media library in Saint Hilaire de Riez provides several computers that are available to use, as well as a Wi-Fi connection.
Working remotely
There is a shared working space open from Monday to Friday from 9am to 6pm, in Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie, at 31 boulevard Georges Pompidou. You can hire this space per hour, per day, per month or for the year.
Where can I post letters and buy stamps?
You’ll find ‘La Poste’ post offices throughout the Pays de Saint Gilles Croix de Vie:
– 9 Quai Gorin, 85800 ST-GILLES-CROIX-DE-VIE
– Place François Mitterrand, 85270 ST-HILAIRE-DE-RIEZ
– 13 Rue du Marché Sion Sur l’Océan, 85270 ST-HILAIRE-DE-RIEZ
– 2 Avenue de Verdun, 85470 BRETIGNOLLES-SUR-MER
Calendar of public holidays, local holidays and French school holidays
The public holidays in France are as follows:
All Saint’s Day: 1st November
Armistice 1918: 11th November
Christmas Day: 25th December
New Year’s Day: 1st January
Easter Monday
Labour Day: 1st May
Victory Day 1945: 8th May
Ascension Day
Whit Monday
Bastille Day: 14th July
Assumption of Mary: 15th August
The school holidays in France:
2 weeks in February
2 weeks in April
8 weeks in July-August
2 weeks in October
2 weeks over Christmas
Where should I dispose of my bins?
If you are just passing through the area, there are containers secured with a digicode where you can dispose of your household waste, at a fee of €0.90 each time you open the trap.
These containers can be found at the following locations:
In Brétignolles-sur-Mer: Campervan parking area, 91 Avenue de la Garenne de la Chalonnière and behind the Tourist Office, Boulevard du Nord.
In Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie: Quai Rivière (car park opposite the pharmacy), Conserverie – 1 Boulevard de l’Egalité and La Soudinière campervan parking area, Rue de la Rabalette.
In Saint-Hilaire-de-Riez: 31 Avenue de l’Albatros, 37 Avenue des Mouettes and Avenue du Terre Fort (opposite the youth centre, close to Hyper U supermarket).
Practical information – health services
Where are the nearest hospitals and clinics?
Centre Hospitalier Loire Vendée Océan, Boulevard Guérin 85 300 CHALLANS
Centre Hospitalier Côte de Lumière, Pôle Santé des Olonnes, Site de la Vannerie – Rue Jacques Monod 85 340 LES SABLES D’OLONNE
Clinique Porte Océane, Pôle Santé des Olonnes, Site de la Vannerie – Rue Jacques Monod 85 340 LES SABLES D’OLONNE
Hôpital Départemental CHD des Oudairies, Route de Cholet 85 000 LA ROCHE SUR YON.
Clinique Saint Charles, 11 Boulevard René Levesque 85 000 LA ROCHE SUR YON.
The European emergency number is 112.
Security: gendarmerie, police
The gendarmerie for the Pays de Saint Gilles Croix de Vie is at 9 Rue des Vergers d’Eole, 85800 Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie.
Telephone: +33 (0)2 51 55 01 19
The towns of Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie, Brétignolles-sur-Mer and Saint-Hilaire-de-Riez also have a municipal police station.
In Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie: Rue de l’Ancienne Poste – 85800 Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie
Telephone: +33 (0)2 51 55 29 55
In Brétignolles-sur-Mer: Town Hall – 85470 Brétignolles-sur-Mer
Telephone: +33 (0)2 51 55 46 04
In Saint-Hilaire-de-Riez: 43 Rue Georges Clemenceau – 85270 Saint-Hilaire-de-Riez
Telephone: +33 (0)2 51 59 94 40
Swimming and safety on the beaches
There are 20 sandy beaches, perfect for swimming, all along the coast of the Pays de Saint Gilles Croix de Vie.
Don’t forget to respect the rules for swimming, look out for the flags and ask for information at the lifeguard stations.