Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie

The must-see highlights of the small port town

In addition to cycling and relaxing on the beach, the town of Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie is full of activities and places to discover:

-Watersports: surfing, paddleboarding, wakeboarding, sailing, land sailing

-The promenade along the main beach: just 200 meters from our holiday village

-Marie de Baucaire Promenade: right in front of our holiday village

-The fishing port: still active and known for its blue fish (sardines, anchovies)

-The marina, Port la Vie: located in front of our holiday village, with around 1,200 berths on pontoons and moorings

-The salt marshes

-The Sardine Workshop (Museum – Art Gallery – Boutique): discover the craftsmanship of La Perle des Dieux, from sardine fishing and selection to hand-canning at the last sardine cannery in Vendée. The visit ends with a tasting.

-Joséphine Tower: the town’s first lighthouse, built in 1851 to reduce shipwrecks

-La Petite Île district (also known as Le Maroc): just steps from the port, this charming neighborhood, built by fishermen, features narrow alleys and ballast stone walls. Visit the Fisherman’s House, a re-creation of a 1920s fisherman’s home.

-The Jaunay River: an artificial river that flows into the Vie via a lock

-Boisvinet Beach: a family-friendly beach that extends to the Vendée Corniche, a listed site since 1926. This stunning 3 km cliffside walk offers breathtaking coastal views

-Swimming pool, bowling alley, cinema

-Daily markets and nightly summer markets

Hotel Le Vent du Large is located on the “Saint-Gilles” side of Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie, just steps from the main beach and right in the marina.