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The island of Noirmoutier
Noirmoutier Island
Close to the campsite, take a breath of fresh air and make a voyage of discovery to ‘Mimosa Island’.
Noirmoutier is linked to the continent thanks to a ford which joins the Vendée island to Beauvoir-sur-Mer.
The island is nicknamed ‘Mimosa Island’ due to its mild climate, conducive to the flowering of mimosas during the winter season.
Once you take a step on the island you will be under the charm of beautiful landscapes: salt marshes, dunes and forests of green oaks. The splendour of its landscapes and the richness of its natural environments have earned it a place as one of the Natura 2000 sites.
Take a walk in Bois de La Chaize wood, full of oak trees and mimosas and stroll along shaded beaches. During a bike ride discover several white-washed villas ‘lost’ in the middle of the forest and the lighthouse of the Pointe des Dames.
Promenade des Souzeaux, a walk which runs along the sea, is a haven of peace with its numerous coves and fine sandy beaches.
Admire Noirmoutier Castle from the 9th century, and Saint-Philibert church, the former Benedictine Abbey. Numerous 18th-century stately homes will open a page to you in the rich history of the island.
Still at the heart of topicality, cinema buffs can dive into the decor of the French film Les vacances du Petit Nicolas which was filmed on the island over a four-month period, a living testimony to the beauty of the landscapes on Mimosa Island.
Le Passage du Gois (ford)
Discover the ford ‘Le Passage du Gois’, an ‘undersea’ road that is 4 km long, linking Noirmoutier island to the continent at low tide.
Le Passage du Gois is frequented all year round by people shellfishing, especially during the large tides of July and August. Lovers of shellfish and crustacean fishing can have a field day and consume the fruit of their labour: clams, cockles, oysters, bay scallops, mussels, periwinkles or tellins…
The only passage from Noirmoutier to Beauvoir-sur-Mer, the Gois has a reputation for being dangerous. It is essential to find out about the times of the tides before crossing.
Note: Les Foulées du Gois is a race that attracts over 1,500 runners every year in the month of June, for a ‘race against the sea’ over 4,150 m. This sporting event of Noirmoutier is renowned to be one of the most difficult races ever.
