A well-being bubble in Saint Gilles Croix de Vie

For this first day of vacations in Vendée, I propose you to make a small trip towards the charming city of Saint Gilles Croix de Vie. This township, bordered by the Atlantic Ocean, is full of nice little spots. Let us guide you!

Freshness and lightness in the morning

Let’s start the day with a bit of freshness and take a walk to the city market. Every Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday morning, the market of Saint Gilles is held, Place du Marché aux Herbes and Place du Vieux Port. You will be able to find local products: fish, seafood, fruits and vegetables… Don’t forget to take some sardines, it’s the specialty of the area! (And they’re really good too)

A short stroll in the heart of the city

Then, cross the life and, on the other side of the city, take the time to walk among the small fishermen’s houses that are near the station. The fisherman’s house dating from 1920 has been refurbished and traces the history of fishing in Saint Gilles. It is open from Monday to Saturday, to consult the schedules go to the website of Saint Gilles Croix de Vie. You can take a look at it before walking in this neighborhood where all the houses look alike: cute little white houses with blue shutters, get lost through their flowery alleys. This grouping of houses is called the “quartier du Maroc”. It takes its name from the history of the port, which worked mainly with Mediterranean ports, with which trade was numerous and regular.

It’s time for a lunch break

After this walk, the appetite starts to be felt. You are in the right place because Saint Gilles is full of small restaurants, each more delicious than the other. Among all those available, we have made a selection of our favorites:

Le Récif, sea view, fresh local cuisine, pancakes and cakes
Le Pilours, also seen on the sea, a few steps from the Reef, this restaurant is more isolated and offers peace and a magnificent panorama
Le Saint Gilles Restaurant: fish and seafood, local products and French cuisine

For the afternoon, several options are available to you.

N°1 : Lazing on the beach
Take your beach towels, bathing suits, flip-flops, beach games, and let’s go to La Grande Plage. The Grande Plage stretches along the entire length of the city. The embankment which borders it is also very pleasant to walk, do not hesitate to make a detour there. Put down your towel and get comfortable. For young and old alike, swimming will be refreshing. It’s always a great time with family or friends around beach, sand, and water games!

N°2 : Escapade in the marshes
Put on your shoes, we’re going for a walk!
The salt marshes of Saint Gilles Croix de Vie can be visited on foot or even by bicycle if you wish to go for a walk. Walk through these kilometers of marshes and discover the know-how of the salt workers who have been harvesting salt for centuries in an ancestral way. Can you smell the salt, feel the wind in your hair and hear the seagulls? You are in the right place. Admire the distant view of these seawater basins, arranged in a comb. Guided tours will be offered in the salt marshes of life if you wish to know all the anecdotes of the local salt marshes. These visits are offered from June to September, from Tuesday to Sunday from 2:30 to 6:00 pm, and in the morning in high season.

Back to the campsite
After this day rich in exploration and discovery, it is time to take the road back to your campsite La Corsive in Fromentine – La Barre de Monts. When you arrive, unpack your things and jump into the pool, a little freshness is not a bad thing. Relax on a deckchair for a few moments and enjoy the moment. Then it will be time to meet for dinner, or for a themed evening organized by your campsite, disco, karaoke or mussels and French fries tonight?