SALLERTAINE, A VILLAGE AND ITS COMMUNITY OF CRAFSTMEN

Don’t miss an enjoyable visit to Sallertaine, a few kilometers away from the campsite.

Right in the heart of the Marais Breton Vendéen, at a time when medieval stone cutters were erecting the old Romanesque church, Sallertaine was surrounded by the ocean. The village boasts a picturesque and authentic atmosphere featuring an old history and heritage, dear to the heart of travellers and visitors.

“The Craftsmen Island “ “l’ile aux artisans”

For over 20 years, the village of Sallertaine has been involved in supporting the traditional activities and craftsmen of its territory. As a result, the commitment and policy of the council was awarded in 2010 the label of “Ville et Métiers d’Art” (Town of artistic craftmanship) , the first one in Vendée. Many artists, practising diverse arts and crafts, moved to Sallertaine. The “L’ile aux artisans” non-profit-making organization aims at supporting the 30 of them = wood sculptor, framer, stained glass designer and maker, art embroiderer, enamel designer, furniture designer for children….

Open all year round, or for the summer season, these creators are proud to share their passion for the innovation, through their traditional techniques and knowledge.

Be curious, come, discover at a glance, and let yourself be surprised by their talent, and original handmade pieces.

The Vaulieu garden

Historical site, the botanical garden of Vaulieu is an ideal place for a break, a picnic, or a rest.

Restaurants and picnic areas are at your disposal.

Other activities to enjoy in Sallertaine :

• L’ilot Zanimo (traditional animal farm)
• Au vent des abeilles (beehives)
• L’ile Opain (bread and pastry workshop)

LA BOURRINE A ROSALIE (Rosalie’s house)

2 mn away from the campsite, don’t miss this traditional old thatched-roof house of the marsh.

Tucked away in a green and relaxing setting, Rosalie’s home will show you the early 20C original lifestyle of a marsh inhabitant called “maraichin”. Rosalie lived her whole life here until she died in 1971

Information 00 33 6 32 52 09 23

PASSAGE DU GOIS (Gois causeway)

The passage du Gois is an extraordinary location in France and a national monument. It is almost unique and to be found nowhere else in the world. This 4,150 km causeway links the continent (Beauvoir sur mer) to the island of Noirmoutier, only accessible at low tide.

Gois refers to an old local expression meaning “walking with wet feet”. Before its first use in the 18C, people used to go on foot over the sand-bank. Much later people built a paved road making the island more accessible, till the construction of the bridge in 1971. Due to the underestimated risk of rising water, 9 rescue poles have been erected all along the way. The causeway can be used by cars, cyclers, ramblers…. 1 and ½ hour before low tide and 1 and ½ afterwards.

Watch the updated information boards on the road about the tide times.

Fishing in the Gois

Shell seeking: a paradise for shell seekers and their edible sea shells: clams and cockles.

Oysters: all around the GOIS local authorities developed a wide oysters production centre which is worth seeing and discovering at low tide.

BAIE DE BOURGNEUF (Bourgneuf Bay) AND TYPICAL HARBOURS.

From Beauvoir to Bouin, 6 inescapable little harbours follow the shore north to south, and feature an unseen original setting of small wooden piers for the unloading of  precious goods.

This anchoring point for the 200 oysters farmers boast stunning views over the sea, the dike and the agricultural polders. Located at the mouth of the major waterway estuaries, they can only be used at high tide. They are all connected to the major cycle paths and hiking trails.

Here nature remains wild, and the ambiance friendly. At high tide, the fleet of fully loaded ships moored along the wooden piers smelling of salt are worth the experience.

The docking posts here and there look like a Mikado.

• Le Collet
  • Further up north, Le Collet is a charming little fishing harbour in the middle of the marshes.
• Les Brochets
  • This harbor has been recently restored and reinforced due to ever rising water.
• La Louippe
  • The wildest of the 6 harbours.
• Le port des Champs
  • The first ever built between 1854 and 1860. The most typical of them.
• Le port du Bec « the Chinese harbour »
  • The most important. On the estuary of the former Dain inlet, between Bouin and Beauvoir sur mer. It gathers the most important fleet for fishermen and oysters farmers of the whole Bourgneuf Bay. The apparent vision of irregular piers of interlaced  docking posts make it comparable to a Chinese harbour.

Take a moment to ramble along these typical architectures and may you be lucky to meet one of our oyster farmers who will share his passion.

BEACHES AND ISLANDS

Enjoy our wonderful sandy beaches of North West Vendée :

• La Barre de Monts
• Notre Dame de Monts
• St Jean de Monts
• St Hilaire de Riez
• St Gilles Croix de Vie

And our islands :

• Noirmoutier island : easy access via the bridge or the Passage du Gois causeway
• Yeu island – accessible only by boat or helicopter
•