Stopovers on Yeu Island and Noirmoutier:
the Vendée islands
Must-see sites on Yeu Island
Just a stone’s throw from the camping les Amiaux, climb aboard a high-speed ship and discover the island of Yeu. Its unspoilt landscapes, between wild coastlines and fine sandy beaches, are sure to amaze you with their charm and beauty.
With 23 km² of land, the island boasts a wealth of sites to visit, making it a unique destination in the Vendée.
Prehistoric sites
Prehistoric remains (dolmens, menhirs, cup stones) bear witness to the presence of humans on Yeu Island over 5,000 years ago. Among the most remarkable are the Petits Fradets dolmen, located near the Gournaise beach, and the Planche à Puare dolmen, not far from Anse des Broches.
These mysterious stones are silent witnesses to the island’s ancient history. Their discovery, as you stroll through wild landscapes and unspoilt coastlines, offers a real plunge into history.
The monuments
The history of Yeu Island is reflected in its emblematic monuments.
Immerse yourself inmedieval times with a visit to the Vieux-Château, built during the Hundred Years’ War to defend the island. Continue with the Pierre-Levée fort, erected under the Second Empire to protect the island garrison. Military remains from the XXᵉ century, such as the German blockhouses, are a reminder of the island’s strategic importance during the Occupation. Finally, complete your discovery by admiring the Petite-Foule, Corbeaux and Port lighthouses, as well as the Justices semaphore, still in operation.
Heritage
History
Natural sites
On foot or by bike, discover a variety of natural sites, where rocky cliffs reminiscent of Brittany mingle with the typically Vendée dune coast. :
- La Pointe du But
- Pointe du Châtelet and Sabias beach
- Le Port de la Meule
- La Pointe des Corbeaux
- The north-east coast
These enchanting landscapes will delight nature lovers and photography enthusiasts alike.
For hiking enthusiasts, the GR80 offers a complete itinerary around the island.
👉 Tickets for the crossing on sale at the campsite reception, at preferential rates.
Find out more :
www.ile-yeu.fr
Île d’Yeu, 25 minutes from the Saint-Jean-de-Monts campsite
Embark in Fromentine (La Barre-de-Monts) aboard a Yeu Continent boat. Yeu Continent for a quick 30-minute crossing. When you arrive in Port-Joinville, you’ll find the lively, dynamic atmosphere typical of a busy port. This central location is packed with stores and restaurants, perfect for strolling around or sampling local specialties. A number of local rental companies offer classic or electric bicycles, ideal for exploring the island at your own pace and in complete freedom. You’ll also find theÎle d’Yeu tourist office, where personalized advice will help you enrich your itinerary.
👉 For greater convenience and preferential rates, remember to book your tickets directly at the campsite reception.
Noirmoutier, its emblematic beaches
Each beach reveals a different face of the island, between gentleness, authenticity and the open sea.
- La Plage des Dames, immortalized in the film Les vacances du Petit Nicolas with its lined-up white cabins and timeless charm.
- Plage de l’Épine attracts water sports enthusiasts with winds ideal for kitesurfing and windsurfing.
The more unspoilt Plage de la Guérinière offers a wild and soothing setting for lovers of tranquillity.
With their varied landscapes of dunes, pine trees and fine sand, Noirmoutier’s beaches are among the most famous on the Atlantic coast.
Discovering the island
Exploring Noirmoutier means discovering unique places steeped in history.
Located at the entrance to the island of Barbâtre, the Polder de Sébastopol is a Regional Nature Reserve, a protected area where meadows, canals and wetlands are home to a wide variety of migratory birds. A veritable paradise for birdwatchers and walkers alike, this site offers open-air walks in the heart of remarkable biodiversity.
The famous Passage du Gois a submersible road linking the island to the mainland, offers a unique tidal experience.
Last but not least, picturesque villages such as Barbâtre and l’Épine, with their white houses with blue shutters and charming alleyways, complete this warm, authentic picture.
What to do in Noirmoutier
The Noirmoutier salt marshes shaped by man for centuries, are one of the island’s most symbolic landscapes. In summer, you can see the salt workers at work, harvesting fleur de sel and coarse salt using traditional methods handed down from generation to generation. These marshes are not only a place of production: they are also home to remarkable biodiversity, with numerous species of birds and a changing light that transforms the landscape at every hour of the day. To visit the marshes is to immerse yourself in a living history, a blend of traditional craftsmanship and natural heritage.
Food lovers will appreciate the local flavors: from salt to oysters, not forgetting the famous early potatoes from Noirmoutier renowned for their delicate taste.
On the west coast of the island, in La Guérinière, l’ Île aux Papillons invites you to discover France’s largest tropical greenhouse, where hundreds of exotic butterflies roam freely amid lush vegetation maintained at tropical temperatures. Visitors can observe the butterflies’ life cycle and enjoy an immersive, magical experience in the heart of this colorful universe.
Last but not least, the many cycle paths and hiking trails allow you to explore the island in complete freedom and discover its hidden treasures.
The island of Noirmoutier near Les Amiaux campsite
Just 35 minutes from Les Amiaux campsite, the island of Noirmoutier is an ideal excursion for the whole family.
Whether you want to spend a day on the beaches, discover the marshes and villages or just stroll along the water’s edge, Noirmoutier is easy to discover from the campsite, offering a wonderful break from the hustle and bustle.
