Noirmoutier Island by foot

FIVE THEMED HIKES

Noirmoutier Island has some 50 km of waymarked hiking trails.

All these routes pass through extraordinary natural areas: dunes, salterns, pine and evergreen oak forests, dykes, etc.

To help us protect our environment, please show respect for the fragile places inhabited by many species of plants and animals.

The hiking guide, presenting the island’s five waymarked hiking trails, is available to you from the two visitors’ bureaux run by the Noirmoutier Island Tourist Information Office.

GATEWAYS TO THE ISLAND

Distance: 13.4 km

Time: 3 hours

Skill level: Intermediate

Waymarking: Yellow

This walk connects the two gateways to the island – Gois Passage and Noirmoutier Bridge – and displays remarkable maritime scenery: the polder and Bourgneuf Bay to the east, and the dunes and the Atlantic to the west.

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The route in pictures

Réserve naturelle Polder de Sébastopol - Trendz

Oiseaux polder de Sébastopol ©Office de Tourisme Ile de Noirmoutier - Vendée Expansion - Simon Bourcier

Polder de Sébastopol Barbâtre ©Office de Tourisme Ile de Noirmoutier - Vendée Expansion - Simon Bourcier

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PASSING BY THE MILLS

Distance: 15.1 km

Time: 3½ hours

Skill level: Families

Waymarking: Yellow

This route will take you into the heart of Noirmoutier Island, through a wide variety of landscapes: dunes, marshes and forests. Follow the yellow waymarks to discover all the wealth of nature that awaits you.

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The route in pictures

Cabanes ostréicoles port du Bonhomme - Quentin Boulegon

Plateau huîtres fruits de mer - Port du Bonhomme ©Office de Tourisme Ile de Noirmoutier - Vendée Expansion - Simon Bourcier

Parcs à huîtres port du Bonhomme - Quentin Boulegon

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SEA AND MARSHES

Distance: 11.2 km

Time: 3 hours

Skill level: Families

Waymarking: Blue

A lovely walk through the salterns awaits you when you follow the blue waymarks. The trail ends with a discovery of the village of L’Épine and its very characteristic back streets.

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The route in pictures

Port de Morin vue bateaux ©Quentin Boulegon

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HOLLYHOCK

Distance: 6.5 km

Time: 1½ hours

Skill level: Families

Waymarking: Purple

Follow the purple waymarks and stroll through the historical centre of Noirmoutier-en-l’Île. You’re sure to be won over by the peaceful charm of the town’s small streets, cobblestone roads, atypical buildings and heritage.

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The route in pictures

Centre-ville Noirmoutier-en-l'île @Trendz

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In the footsteps of the Jacobsens

Distance: 7.2 km

Time: 2 hours

Skill level: Families

Waymarking: Yellow

Set off to discover several picturesque sites on Noirmoutier Island: the outer harbour, Müllembourg Nature Reserve, Jacobsen Jetty and the Bois de la Chaise wood. Eight panels installed along your route and illustrated by Antoine Bugeon will tell you the story of the Jacobsen family.

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The route in pictures