Top 10 must-sees in Noirmoutier

A visit to the island of Noirmoutier is a must when you get away from it all in the Vendée. Made up of 4 communes between l'Épine, Barbâtre, la Guérinière and Noirmoutier-en-l'Île, it offers incredible landscapes between forests and sandy beaches. On foot, by bike, with friends or family, Noirmoutier is an ideal destination in Vendée. Discover the top 10 must-sees in Vendée.

1 Take the Passage du Gois in Vendée

To reach the island of Noirmoutier, two options are available to you. The easiest way is to drive over the Noirmoutier bridge to reach Barbâtre and walk along the coast. The second option, less used and depending on the tides, is the Passage du Gois, a legendary and surprising route between the island of Noirmoutier and the continent. Fully submersible, it can only be used at low tide depending on the coefficients and offers a route of more than 4 km on cobblestones. An unusual place in the Vendée, it is an ideal spot for fishing on foot, and the starting point for the Foulées du Gois, a foot race organized every year.

2 Visit Butterfly Island on the Island

You cannot miss it, the butterfly island of Noirmoutier is the largest butterfly greenhouse in France. Live an unforgettable day in the middle of colorful insects that evolve in total freedom in a greenhouse at 26°C. Guyana, Kenya, Madagascar or Costa Rica, there are nearly 2,000 species from the four corners of the world that fly and surround you with tiny beating wings. The setting created to house these Lepidoptera is magnificent, made up of flowers and plants with varied appearances. With family or friends, the memories of the butterfly island will be memorable to tell.

3 Visit the Château de Noirmoutier

This is an essential step of your visit, the discovery of the Château de l'île de Noirmoutier, a 12th century fortress. Built by the lords of Garnache, it relates the history of the island with the proximity of the Saint-Philbert church, both having experienced the Vendée war. Open to the public all year round, it presents collections which retrace this historical past such as the painting “The Death of General d'Elbée” by Julien le Blant. Do not hesitate to climb on the keep of the Castle which offers a breathtaking view of the island of Noirmoutier.

4 Discover the salt marshes of Noirmoutier

Appearing in the Middle Ages and created by peasants to preserve food, generate trade and supply the kitchen, the salt marshes are a must in Noirmoutier. Occupying up to a third of the island, the 3,000 carnations produce a salt renowned for its quality between coarse salt, fine salt and fleur de sel. Discover the profession of salt worker for a day, an ancestral know-how explained with passion by the harvesters of what we call white gold. Even without visiting them, you cannot miss this atypical landscape offered by the salt marshes and the salt marshes when you travel through Noirmoutier.

5 Swimming on the beaches of Noirmoutier

The island of Noirmoutier offers the possibility of enjoying pretty little coves like Anse Rouge, or laying out your towel on the Plage des Dames, the most famous with its numerous wooden cabins and its postcard decor. Ideal for families, Sableaux beach is supervised during the summer with the Mickey club which sets up between July and August to keep the little ones busy. Souzeaux Beach or Clère Beach, there are numerous swimming spots, not counting the Vieil, Guérinière, Herbaudière or Barbâtre beaches. And yes, that's the advantage of being on an island.

6 Explore the town of Noirmoutier

Cross the bridge and reach the center of the island to start your excursion by the pedestrian street. Calm and dotted with numerous shops, cafes and restaurants, it comes alive all summer to the rhythm of holidaymakers who settle down along the port to have a drink on the terrace. On foot or by bike, continue your walk on Allée Jacobsen, a route which takes you to the Bois de la Chaise and its pier suitable for net fishing. Don't miss the traditional market on Place de la République where local products and craftsmen compete for the favors of visitors and Noirmoutrins.

7 Take a stroll around the island on a little train

This is an original way to discover the island of Noirmoutier. On board the Noirmout'train, enjoy a pleasant commented ride punctuated with stories and anecdotes on varied routes depending on your desires. Discovery circuit, ancient villages circuit, salt marshes circuit or 2-hour circuit, leave from the north of the island passing through the Bois de la Chaise and the Morin port at l'Épine, before discovering the Herbaudière port and returning on Place d'Armes in the center of Noirmoutier.

8 Walk through the Bois de la Chaise in Noirmoutier

What a wonderful site is the Bois de la Chaise in the north of the island of Noirmoutier. With its Mediterranean vegetation, its numerous intimate coves and its maritime pine forest, it is one of the key destinations in Noirmoutier when you like to escape into nature. Spread over 110 hectares, it is perfect for hiking or cycling, and offers an incredible landscape formed by a succession of cliffs, rocky points and coves of fine sand.

9 Take the Jacobsen jetty at the port of Noirmoutier

The Jacobsen family has left an indelible mark on the island of Noirmoutier. From a simple salt trade was born a town which today is the pride of the Vendéens, where you can take an alley which bears the name of those who shaped it. The Jacobsen jetty is 1,500 meters along the port of Noirmoutier before discovering the Müllenbourg marsh and the beach of Fort Larron. Continue towards Sableaux beach and Bois de la Chaise to form a 7 km loop. Easy and pleasant, the walk is accessible to young and old alike for a moment of relaxation with family or friends.

10 Walk around the port of l’Herbaudière

Located in the far north of the island of Noirmoutier, l'Herbaudière is known for its fishing and marina port. You can walk the quays from end to end and sit on the terrace of a bar or restaurant to enjoy the sun and a pleasant view of the moored boats. Swimming enthusiasts can go to the large beach of La Linière or Luzeronde to splash in the waves, build sandcastles or launch kites in the air. Don't miss the festivals organized throughout the summer at Herbaudière. Between jazz, electro and street shows, you will have plenty to enjoy.

The island of Noirmoutier is certainly not very large with its 49 m2, but remains attractive and lively all year round. You will love visiting it and discovering the top 10 must-see attractions in Noirmoutier.

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