The most beautiful coastal paths
Take these paths along the Loire-Atlantique and Vendée coasts to see incredible panoramas and diverse landscapes, from dunes to rocks, forests and even marshes. Happy walking!
From Saint-Jean-de-Monts to Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie (Vendée)
Cyclists and walkers will be delighted by these 23 kilometres of paths that alternate between crossing through pine forests and walking beside the ocean. The itinerary leads to the Vendée corniche, which over three kilometres reveals a magnificent craggy granite landscape. Don't miss the Cinq Pineaux (Five Pines), which evoke strange heads immersed in the ocean, as well as the bubbling Trou du Diable (Devil's Hole)...
From Saint-Michel-Chef-Chef to Pornic (Loire-Atlantique)
The best way to experience the charms of the Côte de Jade (Jade Coast) remains its coastal paths. This 23-kilometre-long section reveals the Saint-Gildas point, in particular, and its semaphore. The Circuit des peintres (Painters' Circuit) starts nearby, many of whom came to rest their easel in this area and whose works are displayed on stands. The walk then goes on to Pornic, one of the region's finest coastal towns.
The Ponant path on the Île d'Yeu (Vendée)
The Ponant path invites you to explore the western side of the Île d'Yeu via a 21-kilometre route that begins in Port-Joinville. This walk showcases idyllic little beaches, remarkable dolmens and the Grand Phare (Great Lighthouse) or the Vieux-Château (Old Château) from the 14th century, which was Hergé's inspiration for The Black Island! In the very south, spend a while at the charming Port de la Meule before returning inland along the Pierre-Levée fort, where Marshall Pétain was held.
From Saint-Nazaire to Pornichet (Loire-Atlantique)
Between fisheries on stilts, forgotten old forts, hidden coves, ochre rock and long fine sandy beaches, this 9-kilometre walk has many surprises in store... The changing landscape offers superb viewpoints throughout the route. As you pass Saint-Marc-sur-Mer, take a moment to look at the panorama, which served as the backdrop for the film Monsieur Hulot's Holiday. The character's statue stands nearby.
From Brem-sur-Mer to Sables-d'Olonne (Vendée)
This superb 22-kilometre-long route begins with a dune path that meanders through thistle and wild vines before reaching the forest. Once through this, we come to the Île d'Olonne marshes, where more active visitors can opt for a superb 9-kilometre circuit through a labyrinth of little paths surrounded by water. You then return across beaches before arriving in Sables d'Olonne, where La Chaume, a small fishing village, and the Île Penotte with its shell-decorated houses are both well worth a visit.