Our house Les Dunes is situated in the southern part of Brétignolles-sur-Mer. Various shops, restaurants and other facilities are within easy reach. (< 1 km – 3 km).
Located on the “Côte de lumière”, The Coast of Light, one of the sunniest regions of France, Brétignolles sur Mer is 18km away from Les Sables d’Olonne and 15 km away from Saint Gilles Croix de Vie. During winter time, there are only about 5000 local residents, but it grows to more than 30.000 in the summer, but due to the fact that Brétignolles has 13 km of beaches with holiday houses and camping sites, you’ll never have the impression of feeling overcrowded. Nevertheless, it is better to avoid shopping by car on Sunday morning (markets on Sunday and Thursday morning), as it seems that everyone wants to do the same at the same time.
The landscape between the sea, the beaches and dunes, forest, canals and vineyards (Pays de Brèm) are waiting for you. Tasting the wines directly from the wine growers is a wonderful experience.
The region of Brétignolles offers a lot of possibilities for regeneration, relaxation and recreation at any time. 13km of coastline with various sandy beaches and rocky bays invite you to swim, sail, wave sailing, surf, fish, walk or simply sunbathe. Beaches Les Dunes 1 and 2 and La Sauzaie are famous sites for surfing, various championships took and take place there. You may also take lessons in surfing, kite-surfing or stand-up paddle.
Families with small children will find extensive areas at “Les Dunes” or “La Normandelière” beaches to play or safe swimming (Life guards during July-August). Children will love to climb over the rocks at low tide, and look for any kind of shells, crabs, hermit crabs, sea snakes or sea anemones.
Rivers and lakes invite to canoeing, anglers will enjoy the “Lac des Morinières” (fishing license needed) or the river l’Auzance, in Brèm sur mer. Every year, on July 14th and August 15th, a big firework will be held with other events.
14 parishes are connected by a wide cycling trail. For walkers, a detailed trail map has been drawn, and a footpath behind the dune leads along the coast.
Leisure activities for young and old are plentiful , such as mini-golf , riding , quad bikes , trimming path , geocaching, skating rink, cinema, bowling, children playground, ground for beach volleyball and football. A visit to the miniature museum or the markets in Brétignolles will bring variety, and in Brèm sur Mer, you will find an amusement park for children.
During the summer, Brétignolles offers a big program with a lot of leisure activities and music events, partially free. You will find a free WLAN access near the Médiathèque or near the tourist office.
Seafood lovers will find a big choice of any sea crabs, oysters, mussels on every market in the region, and also every morning in “Les Viviers de la Corniche”, on the seaside road, in La Sauzaie.
Some restaurant recommendations:
Crèperie de la Normandelière (Mussel and Crêpes)
Atmosphère, 57 Avenue des Dunes (ca. 500 Meter from house Les Dunes)
Pizzeria Cinecitta, Rue de l’Eglise
Les Épicurieux, 6 Avenue de la Corniche
La Grande Roche, Av. Grande Roche (traditional and modern cuisine)
Les Brisants (for higher claims)
Les Genets in Brèm-sur-Mer, recorded in Guide Michelin