The lighthouses of the Vendée

If you're looking for a unique, educational, and active experience, visit the lighthouses of the Vendée ! Climbing a lighthouse, with all its steps, is definitely a workout. Along the way, you'll learn about the scientific challenges that had to be overcome to successfully design and improve their efficiency. Indeed, while essential for maritime navigation, they are also must-see monuments for appreciating the Vendée's maritime heritage. Once you reach the top, you'll be dazzled by the exceptional 360° panoramic views. You'll see, it's truly a unique experience, well worth the effort. Let's go, we're opening the doors to the lighthouses of the Vendée for you.

The lighthouses of the northern Vendée coast

We begin our tour of the lighthouses, from north to south of the Vendée region, at the gateway to the Marais Breton Vendéen. Two lighthouses mark this dangerous marshy area along the northern Vendée coastline. The Phare des Brochets ( Pike Lighthouse) is located in the town of Bouin. From it, you can discover the Bay of Bourgneuf, the oyster port, and its oyster beds.

On the other side of the bay, in Beauvoir-sur-Mer, the Époids Lighthouse stands in the port of Bec. From there, you'll have a beautiful view of the Passage du Gois. The Fromentine Lighthouse is located between the Noirmoutier bridge and the Passage du Gois, in the narrow channel between the island of Noirmoutier and the Fromentine beaches. These are sector lights: white, red, and green.

The lighthouses of Noirmoutier Island

At the tip of Noirmoutier Island, you can see the Pilier Lighthouse in the distance. On the small island of Pilier, two lighthouses were built during the 19^th century. The first tower, unable to withstand the technological advancements in light-making, was replaced by a second tower. This second tower has been preserved and is used for maritime radio navigation.

The Pointe des Dames lighthouse is surprising. In the heart of the Bois de la Chaise forest, it overlooks a charming little house. It is therefore what is known as a lighthouse-house. It is always staffed and not open to the public.

The lighthouses of the island of Yeu

On the Île d'Yeu, you'll find two main lighthouses, marking the island's two extremities. To the west, facing the ocean, the Grand Phare (Great Lighthouse) is open to visitors from April to September. From the top of this tall tower, the panoramic view is breathtaking. The guided tour can be combined with a visit to the Vieux-Château (Old Castle).

At the other end of the island, the Ravens Lighthouse faces Saint-Hilaire-de-Riez. It's not open to the public, but its Art Deco architecture is worth seeing. It's located on the coastal path, the "Sente de Kreuzland," which leads to Pointe des Corbeaux. It's a secondary rotating lighthouse.

In Port-Joinville, a walk along the jetty will allow you to see the small lighthouse on the Northwest Jetty and, on the other side, the Grand Quai Lighthouse. During Heritage Days, you can also visit the Lighthouse of the Newlyweds.

Opposite Pointe du But on the island of Yeu, opposite the old semaphore station, is the fixed light beacon of the Perrins dogs.

The lighthouses of the southern Vendée coast

In Saint-Hilaire-de-Riez, there are several lighthouses. Walking along the Corniche, you'll pass some beautiful viewpoints: the Devil's Hole, the Arrondeau Belvedere, and finally the Grosse Terre Lighthouse. Then, at the end of Boisvinet beach, you can see the Boisvinet Lighthouse. Finally, the Josephine Tower marks the entrance to the Port of Vie in Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie.

In Les Sables-d'Olonne, the Armandèche Lighthouse, followed by the Chaume Lighthouse at the end of the jetty, mark the seaside resort. The Armandèche Lighthouse is a landfall lighthouse. Its distinction lies in being the last lighthouse built in France. It is only open to the public during Heritage Days. The Chaume Lighthouse, on the other hand, is an entrance lighthouse, facilitating access to the channel of the port of Les Sables-d'Olonne. It is located on the terrace of the Arundel Tower.

Off the coast of Les Sables-d'Olonne, the Phare des Barges is a marker lighthouse, about 3 km from the coast.

There's also the green lighthouse at Les Sables-d'Olonne. It marks the entrance to the channel and access to the port, and if you look closely (no, it's not just the photo), it's leaning a little...

The last Vendée lighthouse is the Grouin du Cou lighthouse in La-Tranche-sur-Mer. It provides access to the Perthuis Breton strait, closed off by the Île de Ré.

This tour along the lighthouses of the Vendée comes to an end, and we hope we have inspired you to visit these typical monuments of the Vendée heritage.

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