10 Should-See Sights in Saint Gilles

The Pays de Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie is a land of ardour whose various landscapes, from dunes to rocky shoreline to forests to marshes, are remodeled by each passing season, revealing one thing new every time you go to. Whether or not on land or by the ocean, there are hidden gems to be uncovered on this beautiful coastal vacation spot of Vendée. 

Let your self be charmed by walks or bike rides to the 4 corners of the realm. Deal with your self to a stroll on the quays and piers to observe the ballet of boats looking for the refuge of the harbour. Gourmets shall be tempted by the native specialties, whereas board sports activities lovers can take their decide of the incredible surf spots. There are lots of causes to go to however listed here are the highest 10 experiences to take pleasure in Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie.

1. Really feel the wind in your hair on a bicycle journey

The Pays de Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie is blessed with a privileged terrain for biking in all its types (street, gravel, mountain biking), with a community of almost 400 km of marked trails.  

Whether or not alongside rocky coasts, marshes or vineyards, on the sting of the forest or dunes, the cycle tourism routes can be found in a mess of attainable combos and give you the pleasure of discovering totally different pure environments. 

2. A pure household vacation spot 

The Pays de Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie has at all times liked welcoming households. It’s a really perfect playground for many who want to mix cultural holidays and enjoyable outings. Take your decide: treasure hunts, a visit to the ocean, a canoe outing, an expertise on horseback or in a horse-drawn carriage, an uncommon go to to the center of a miniature village… 

3. A mosaic of colors and landscapes 

Within the Pays de Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie, nature is revealed in all its types: seaside, dune, countryside, forest, marsh… You might be sure to search out your personal slice of paradise! On foot or by bike, regardless of the season, observe the trail to stunning, protected pure areas. 

4. An genuine fishing port to find 

Famend for sardine fishing, the port of Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie is the one and solely French port to be labelled “Website Remarquable du Goût”. This label honours a well-established sardine custom. Sardine fishing in Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie was additionally included within the stock of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of France in 2018. Other than this custom, the port is a hive of exercise that’s great to witness.

5. The sardine of Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie, the logo of the territory

The Saint Gilles sardine is fished from April to September. Of the roughly 3,000 tons caught annually, 3/4 of the sardines are destined for the Conserverie Gendreau, the final cannery in operation. The remainder of the tonnage goes to the recent market and is purchased at public sale by wholesalers who primarily provide native markets. Whether or not you want them grilled, canned or in rillettes, sardines are the staple dish of the realm. 

6. A wealthy gastronomy, between land and sea  

The territory affords a thousand and one flavours to fulfill essentially the most demanding style buds. The native gastronomy combines the fruit of the land and the ocean, a tasty combine that invitations you to indulge. Seafood, wines, beers, salt, honey…the Pays de Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie is stuffed with high quality merchandise to fill your pantry with.  

7. The Brem-sur-Mer winery 

Famend for its wine-growing exercise, the city of Brem-sur-Mer is likely one of the many treasures that make up the gorgeous hinterland of the vacation spot. On this area, wine is a convention handed down from father to son.  

Since 2011, the wines of the terroir of Brem have been categorised AOC (Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée) Fiefs Vendéens: a assure of high quality which rewards the vital work completed among the many vines to safeguard the standard of the wine. All year long, go to the native cellars to be taught a bit extra about wine-growing and to fulfill the passionate winegrowers behind the vintages. 

8. Hoist the sails and go boating on the Atlantic 

The nautical sector is likely one of the jewels of the Vendée financial system. The Pays de Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie isn’t any stranger to this with a 32 km lengthy shoreline, unfold over three municipalities (Saint-Hilaire-de-Riez, Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie and Brétignolles-sur-Mer). Every resort affords a variety of water actions accessible to all: crusing, canoeing, browsing, sand yachting, and so on. 

9. Surf the waves 

From north to south of the Pays de Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie, there are excellent surf spots the place you’ll be able to climb to the highest of the waves. An excellent playground particularly from October to Could when the swell is at its finest. A browsing vacation spot at coronary heart, the city of Brétignolles sur Mer is distinguished by the presence of two highly regarded native spots, one minimize for sports activities lovers (La Sauzaie) and the opposite extra appropriate for novices (Les Dunes). The Sauzaie spot has solid a fantastic fame because of its reef wave, that are uncommon in France, whereas Dunes 1 and a couple of spots, with its giant expanse of sand, supply supreme situations for novices. 

10. Get your groove on at native music festivals 

Present, pop music, rock, reggae, gospel, jazz, every music style has its competition. Yearly, the Pays de Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie explores all musical genres via the formidable programming of its festivals.  

• La 7ème Obscure, present music, in Could 
• Saint Jazz sur Vie, present music, in Could 
• Les Rendez-Vous de La Chaize, classical music, in July 
• Rock’n’Beer competition, rock and steel, in July 
• Odyssée Competition, modern music, in September 
• Les Givrés, present music, in September 

For extra info, go to www.payssaintgilles-tourisme.fr