BEACHES ON NOIRMOUTIER ISLAND

Run along the trip of dunes bordered by a forest of maritime pines. Whether you opt for the Plage des Boucholeurs, the Plage de l’Océan or the Plage du Midi, you will have 7 km of pure, invigorating air to refresh your body and mind! Those beaches are the perfect place for water sports, summer escapades and swimming.

The beaches in La Guérinière boast an amazing view of the southern part of the island. Shaped like a cove, they showcase history and heritage through the mills on the Plage de la Court and the blockhouses of the Plage de la Cantine. A causeway runs alongside the Plage de la Cantine. At the base of the residence Notre-Dame de Bon Secours, the low tide reveals the fish locks, initially built by islanders and later taken over and maintained by an association. You can dig for shellfish from the Plage des Sables d’Or beach to the Pointe de la Loire headland.

With the Bois des Eloux wood towering above them from the highest point on the island, the beaches in l’Épine are located on the west coast. The Océan, Martinière, Saint-Jean and Bosse beaches offer pleasant rambles to Morin Port. That dry harbour is the perfect place for fans of coastal fishing and shipping. L’Épine and L’Herbaudière meet at the Pointe du Devin headland.

South of L’Herbaudière, you can reach the Plage de Luzéronde beach via a path through the dunes. The small rocky bay runs all the way to L’Épine in a wide strip of pale sand. It offers magnificent views of the setting sun. On the southern part of this beach, past the block house, naturism is permitted.

Heading back up northwards, you will find the sandy Lutins and Luzan coves. To the right of the marina is the vast Plage de la Linière beach at the tip of the island. It’s a great place for beach games and perfect for digging for shellfish.

From La Madeleine to the Plage du Vieil beach, you’ll find a whole series of marzelles (tide pools) between the sand and the rocks, to the delight of shellfish diggers. Children will enjoy picking up the winkles and shore crabs they find there. The beaches are lined with typical houses built on the sand. The Plage du Mardi Gras beach, one of the locations where the film César and Rosalie was shot, is a lovely cove that families appreciate for its peace and quiet. A maritime pine forest runs along the pale, curved Plage de la Clère beach before giving way to the evergreen oaks of the Bois de la Chaise.

By the Bois de la Chaise, you will find sheltered coves facing Bourgneuf Bay. Two discreet but luxurious sites are very characteristic of the island: Les Souzeaux Beach, surrounded by majestic villas, and the Anse Rouge cove, lined with beach huts. Continuing south, the pontoon on the Plage des Dames beach bears witness to a flourishing past as a seaside resort: this is where wealthy summer visitors would disembark in the 19th century. The huts and restaurants around the beach add unrivalled cachet to this part of the island, with evergreen oaks towering above. Still further south lies the Plage des Sableaux beach which is monitored by lifeguards in the summer, making it ideal for kids.

The island's beaches all slope gently to the sea and attract many bathers and enthusiast beach-loungings. There is no lifeguard watch, except for on beach La Plage des Sableaux, which is very busy in summer, and therefore maintains a permanently-staffed lifeguard and first-aid station from July 1st to August 31st, 1.30 pm. to 7 pm. The other beach maintaining a lifeguard watch is la Plage des Dames: during the same calendar period, but with times of 2 pm. to 6 pm.