What to do at Barre-de-Monts-Fromentine?

At the tip of Vendée is Barre-de-Monts-Fromentine, an authentic maritime village by the sea. The landscapes are captivating between golden beaches and green forests. Escape for a long stay or for a few days, there is no shortage of activities in this charming city with sea spray. Come, we tell you what to do at Barre-de-Monts-Fromentine.

Photos from the report: Vendée Guide

The top things to do in La-Barre-de-Monts

• Take a boat trip to the island of Yeu
• Discover the island of Noirmoutier and cross the bridge
• Walking in the Pays de Monts forest
• Sunbathe and swim at Barre-de-Monts-Fromentine
• Visit the Breton Vendéen marsh
• Escape to Bourgneuf Bay
• Admire the small port of Pont Neuf
• Discover the Port du Bec
• Go to the Pey de la Blet lookout via the lighthouse path
• Take the oyster farmers' trail
  

Take the boat to go to the island of Yeu

La Barre-de-Monts-Fromentine is the starting point for a beautiful boat trip to the island of Yeu, after only 30 minutes of sailing on the Atlantic Ocean. Climb onto the pontoon to observe the waves and the pretty panorama that stretches out before your eyes, as you approach one of the most beautiful islands in France, the Ile d'Yeu. Nature is experienced 100% on this small piece of land 25 km from the continent. Close and distant at the same time, it gives the impression of being alone in the world (except in summer). Stroll by the sea, hike on the beach or on the trails , enjoy a unique feeling of freedom for a few hours before leaving.

Go to the island of Noirmoutier via the bridge

It won't take long to reach your destination. After about twenty minutes of driving, you are on the other side of the bridge on the charming island of Noirmoutier. Take your time crossing the ocean, the view is breathtaking between the blue waves washing up on the golden beaches and salt marshes. Once on the island, it's up to you to choose your destination since Noirmoutier is divided into several communes, including Noirmoutier-en-l'Île. The bridge is open all year round, but be careful in summer, traffic is very complicated. Leave early in the morning to avoid traffic jams and return to Barre-de-Monts-Fromentine in the evening.

Wander in the Pays de Monts forest

The Pays de Monts National Forest is a compendium of nature which extends from Fromentine to Saint-Hilaire-de-Riez, over 25 km along the beaches. Composed mainly of maritime pines planted in the 19th century to protect the dune marshes, it offers a beautiful plant diversity with arbutus trees, hawthorns, locust trees and corm trees. It's not the wildlife that will complain, the wild boars, deer and rabbits are delighted to roam in this forest of more than two hectares by the sea. At any time of the year, take the trails sanded to take advantage of a natural and wooded area which preserves a 2 hectare heronry. Open your eyes, small birds may be eating.

Enjoy the beaches of Barre-de-Monts-Fromentine

Don't forget that you are by the sea, a trip to the beach is essential. And you have the choice between 5 beaches which are sporty, for swimming or preserved for biodiversity. Fromentine beach is lively and calm, without too many waves to splash you. The Grande Côte beach is immense and sublime with its vast spaces perfect for outdoor sports. La Bergère beach is isolated and little known, an ideal destination to escape to a wild and preserved landscape. The small Fromentine beach is intimate and discreet for relaxing in complete tranquility. Finally, Les Lays beach is less visible to allow holidaymakers to remove their swimsuits without hassle (yes, it is a naturist beach).

Explore the Breton Vendéen marshes

La Barre-de-Monts-Fromentine benefits from an ideal location, nestled between the national forest, the Atlantic Ocean and the Breton Vendée marsh . Magnificent, calm and peaceful, it offers a rich and varied ecosystem, spread over 45,000 hectares of wet meadows. There is plenty to walk for hours in this marsh dotted with fishermen's huts. On foot, by bike, by canoe or paddle, it's up to you to choose how to visit it. Between fresh water and salt water, nature surprises again and again with its magnificent colorful landscapes. Don't miss a sunset over the Breton marshes of Vendée, a timeless moment where the rays illuminate the beauty of an exceptional site.

Escape to Bourgneuf Bay

The salty air fills your lungs at the Bay of Bourgneuf, which brings together 6 small authentic ports along the coast. The most central is the port of Collet where the oyster farmers are busy and offering a taste of the product of their catch, much better accompanied by a glass of muscadet. The Bay of Bourgneuf also offers lovely walks or bike rides along the Vélodyssée or the customs trail. The Vendée Atlantique oyster route is also worth taking if you want to meet around fifteen passionate oyster farmers. Stop off at Bernerie-en-Retz, a family-friendly seaside resort with magnificent panoramas.

Admire the small port of Pont Neuf

The name is appropriate even if it was given to it 170 years ago since all the booms of this atypical port have been rebuilt identically. And the work was no less with 99 wooden pontoons sinking into the mud. The result is incredible and gives a picturesque side to this oyster port which sees numerous fishing boats and boaters dock every day. The port of Pont Neuf also has the particularity of seeing a multitude of squares suspended above the water, these characterful wooden fishermen's huts which give all its charm to the bay of Bourgneuf.

Discover the Port du Bec

There is a whole story to tell about the Port du Bec, the most important oyster and aquaculture port in Gois, classified and protected since 1942. Located on the Dain, a stretch separating the villages of the port and Époids (respectively Beauvoir- sur-Mer and Bouin), it is made up of numerous wooden stilts which have earned it the nickname “ little Chinese port ”. Its 104 pontoons give it an atypical bucolic side, an ideal landscape for pretty photos. Its construction dates from the Gallo-Roman era, a past to be discovered through a guided and commented walk around the Port du Bec.

Go to the Pey de la Blet lookout via the lighthouse path

The Pays de Monts forest, the largest forest massif on the Vendée coast, has some nice surprises in store at the end of its trails, such as the Pey de la Blet lookout, an all-wooden structure installed at the top of a dune. To reach it, follow the signs for marked and shaded paths such as the lighthouse trail, a 6.5 km loop. Access by bike and car is also open, but deprives you of a nice walk in the heart of the forest. Once there, climb the 184 steps to reach the top where a breathtaking view awaits you. Observe the Noirmoutier bridge on one side, the Breton Vendéen marsh on the other and before your eyes, the magnificent maritime pines of the forest.

Take the oyster farmers' trail

Yes, you will pass by oyster farms during your outing in the countryside on the oyster farmers' trail. At a distance of 3.8 km, the loop is easy and takes about an hour, time to walk leisurely between the dunes and the forest. Discover Fromentine through oyster-shaped panels that tell you the history of the town, a great way to combine nature and culture with family or friends at any time of the year. Open your eyes wide, at low tide, it is possible to see the Passage du Gois , and even to distinguish the island of Yeu if the weather is clear. Take a breath of fresh air in Vendée.

La Barre-de-Monts-Fromentine looks very small on the map and yet there are many activities offered by this maritime village by the sea. Prepare your suitcases and your devices, a few days will be necessary to appreciate all the things to do at Barre-de-Monts-Fromentine.

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