Sightseeing in Noirmoutier

An amazing island...

The island of Noirmoutier is comprised of four districts, ten hamlets with low, lime-coated houses with pink roof tiles, one town and lively villages, beaches, forests, harbours, marshes, plenty of life and authenticity.

Come and discover the beaches, woods and marshes and all under a blazing sun ! Due to the microclimate, the vegetation resembles that of the Mediterranean and Noirmoutier is known as "mimosa island".

Noirmoutier is linked to the mainland via a rather unusual passage known as the "Gois passage" which is completely submerged at high tide and can only be used at low tide - unique in Europe!

You are bound to fall under the charm of this wonderful island.

www.ile-noirmoutier.com

An oceanic island...

The harbour at Noirmoutier-en-l'île : All along the south bank there are small wooden huts used for the island's traditional activities : oyster farming, boat carpenters.  You can also visit the naval construction museum and the aquarium.

Herbaudière harbour : situated on the northern side of the island, this harbour has two basins, one reserved for fishing and the other for sailing.

Morin harbour : on the western coastline, a shelter surrounded by rocks where fishermen used to anchor and which is now a modern port.

Bonhomme harbour : An oyster farm where tractors leave and tow boats towards the bay of Bourgneuf and the oyster parks.  There are several small huts where you can taste and buy shellfish.

A proud, forbidding silhouette...

The Noirmoutier Château dominates the town with its dungeon standing almost 20 metres tall.

This medieval château, built in the 12th century, braved many eras and managed to conserve its charm.

A symbol of the power of the lord, this inviolable fort protected the inhabitants during invasions.  The dungeon and ramparts were also used as a prison during the wars.

Today the château is home to a museum on the history of the island, from prehistoric times to the beginning of the tourist industry in the 19th century.  It also retraces the troubled times of the wars in the Vendée.

You can admire the magnificent viewpoint from the top of the dungeon which overlooks the island and the bay of Bourgneuf.

CHATEAU DE NOIRMOUTIER Place d'Armes 85330 NOIRMOUTIER - + 33 2 51 35 99 70

Noirmoutier, an island rich in natural heritage...

Gois passage : The Gois passage is without a doubt one of the island's main attractions.  This submersible road which is only revealed at low tide is unique in the world.  

The salt marshes : Commented visits are organised during the harvest as well as the sale of produce from the salt marshes.

Müllembourg nature reserve  : Vast area of salt marshes, home to protected species.

"Polder de Sébastopol" : In the spring you can see a variety of birds such as avocets, egrets, herons...

An avalanche of sensations !

Wave pool, slides, torrents, slow river, whirlpool, river for rubber rings, geyser, waterfall, water games for children.

New ! Raft and tube for even more sensations and fun !

www.oceanile.com

A race with 140 wooden yachts...

Every year mid August the "Association La Chaloupe" invites all the old sailing yachts to a big meeting to sail around the bay of Bourgneuf.

The 2012 edition, from 16 to 18 August, offers plenty of cultural and festive events : exhibitions, shows, open-air meals, entertainment and a sailing pool for children.

Association La Chaloupe + 33 2 51 39 00 37

Ile d'Yeu, another colourful jewel on the Véndée coastline...

Ile d'Yeu, a 23 km² island,  boasts a variety of landscapes : long beaches and dunes held back by resinous wood, wild coasts and cliffs around golden sandy coves, moors, sunken lanes along the cliffs, hedged farmland and low, houses with tiled roofs and colourful shutters.

CROSSINGS TO ILE D'YEU : Departure from Fromentine towards Ile d'Yeu, 45 minutes on board the Port-Fidèle, a fast ferry with low air draught (service began in 2008).

www.compagnie-vendeenne.com

A magical, unforgettable visit...

Take a stroll around this greenhouse, heated to 26°, amongst hundreds of tropical butterflies from the four corners of the world flying in complete freedom around the tropical plants and flowers.

Discover a wide variety of species, all shapes, sizes and colours.

Thanks to this fun, educational visit, you can even watch the birth of some amazing butterflies.

www.ile-aux-papillons.com

Barbâtre is one of the four villages on the island of Noirmoutier.

It is the village closest to the mainland which means that you have to pass through it to get back to the mainland by road.

Situated on the island of Noirmoutier, this village is the first after crossing the bridge or taking the "Gois passage".  It is located on the narrowest part of the island.

The large sandy beach stretches for 7 km, ideal for swimming and shellfish gathering.

Take a stroll along one of the many marked hiking and cycling trails and explore the forest, Gois, polder...

Life on the seabed...

The Sealand Aquarium, located on Noirmoutier's old harbour, is an invitation to explore the depths of the oceans and seas.

Discover the live species in cold and hot waters, colourful fishes, surprising shellfish and underwater plant life.

The sealion show is a delight to both the young and old.

www.aquariumdenoirmoutier.com