Take a stroll in La Faute-sur-Mer and on the Pointe d’Arçay

La Faute-sur-Mer is a peninsula formed by the mouth of the Lay River, ending at the Pointe d'Arçay in the Bay of Aiguillon. It's a natural area offering beautiful walks. This former oyster farming site is also a renowned birdwatching spot. On the seaward side, it boasts lovely beaches and a water sports center. We'll take you to La Faute-sur-Mer for a wealth of outdoor activities.

Visit to La Faute-sur-Mer

La Faute-sur-Mer is primarily known for its beaches and natural areas. However, a stroll through the town itself is very pleasant. Here are some points of interest:

• The marina runs along the Lay estuary. It's a lovely walk. You can also try kitesurfing at Kitesurf Vendée or take a catamaran trip with Escapade Marine.
• Right next door is the Presqu'île Golf Course.
• You will be able to pay your respects at the Memorial to the victims of Storm Xynthia.
• The Presqu'île Park is situated right at the mouth of the river, outside the city center. There you'll find a playground for children and a skatepark for older kids and adults.
• For fun and a bit of extravagance, there's the Casino le Pavillon des Dunes.
• On the outskirts of the town, near the reserve, is Axe Yon Paintball, for team games and thrilling experiences.

The Belle Henriette Casse Nature Reserve

The Belle Henriette Sandbar Nature Reserve protects the lagoon on the section of coastline located between La Faute-sur-Mer and La Tranche-sur-Mer. It consists of a dune bordering the beach and a marsh with a reedbed.

It encompasses nearly 22 specific habitats, 13 of which are considered threatened, hence its official classification as a reserve. It is home to numerous bird species, as well as the European otter, and many other aquatic species typical of brackish waters. Its flora is also very rich.

You can explore it freely all year round, staying on the marked trails. If you want to better understand this unusual biotope, you can book a guided tour during July and August.

The Natural Site of the Rade d'Amour

The Rade d'Amour is formed by the Lay Estuary. It is a grey dune, with a lagoon, bordered by salt marshes. This unique ecosystem supports exceptional biodiversity.

Furthermore, it's a former oyster and mussel farm. The operation has been abandoned, but mussels and oysters still thrive there. Many birds come to feed, so an observation point has been set up to allow you to see them without disturbing them. Information panels tell you about the species found there.

This protected natural site is accessible year-round. An interpretive trail has been created to guide you there without damaging the environment. Dogs are not allowed. In the summer, guided tours are organized by the Tourist Office.

La Faute-sur-Mer, beach and ocean side

The beaches of La Faute-sur-Mer offer all sorts of experiences. The Grande Plage is a family-friendly beach, facing the promenade and the Casino des Dunes. It has a large car park. Shops and restaurants are available. Nearby, at Loisirs Océan, children will have a blast with the rides, games room, mini-golf, and go-kart track.

On Bélugas Beach, you'll find the Centre Nautique Sud Vendée, which rents land yachts and offers swimming lessons. It's a more active and sporty beach. It extends into Chardons Beach and Barrique Beach. The surrounding area becomes more wooded, and the dune system is more pronounced, isolating the beaches from the Faute-sur-Mer golf course and the houses hidden behind it.

Amourettes Beach is a very wild beach. It's bordered by the forest, which separates it from the Rade d'Amour (Love Bay). It stretches to the tip of the Pointe d'Arçay, and you can enjoy a lovely walk there. At the point, the beach becomes a naturist beach.

At the entrance to the town, one last beach stands somewhat apart : Grande Casse Beach. It lies within the Belle Henriette Casse Nature Reserve, a preserved and protected area, ideal for lovers of unspoiled nature.

Hiking along the Fautais coastline

If you enjoy hiking, we recommend the " Sentier du Littoral Fautais " (Fautais Coastal Trail). It's an easy, well-marked loop of approximately 13 km that takes you past the main sites of the commune: the Casse de la Belle Henriette Nature Reserve, the Rade d'Amour (Love Bay), and the Lay Estuary.

The GR8 trail runs along the entire Vendée coastline. It ends on the Vendée side of the Sèvre Niortaise estuary. It only passes through La Faute-sur-Mer to cross the Lay River and continue on the Aiguillon-sur-Mer side. But it has the advantage of offering a breathtaking view of the Bay of Aiguillon, the peninsula, and the Pointe d'Arçay.

We hope we've inspired you to visit La Faute-sur-Mer and the Pointe d'Arçay peninsula. We wish you a wonderful holiday in the Vendée.

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