Have you settled into your rental with a fully equipped kitchen and private terrace at the campsite in Vendée? Explored our heated aquatic area and other facilities? It’s time to discover the Vendée coastline and one of the must-see spots for tourism in the region: Saint-Hilaire-de-Riez.
Where is Saint-Hilaire-de-Riez?
Located between Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie and Saint-Jean-de-Monts, 43 km north of Le Paradis campsite, Saint-Hilaire-de-Riez is among the most popular seaside resorts in the Pays de la Loire and the Côte de Lumière during the high season. The town faces the Île d’Yeu, which is accessible by boat from Saint-Gilles. Take advantage of your holidays in Vendée to explore the Atlantic coast with the whole family via the many cycling paths running along the fine sandy beaches.
What to Do in Saint-Hilaire-de-Riez?
Salt marshes, exotic gardens, treetop adventure parks, pine and green oak forests bordering the coastline, and an eco-museum unveiling local traditions: make sure to include these five must-see spots during your visit to Saint-Hilaire-de-Riez.
- Salt Marshes of La Vie Take a guided tour through the heart of the salt marshes to learn about the craft of salt workers and all the steps involved in harvesting salt, the “white gold” of the region.
- Le Jardin Des Rigonneries A lush, exotic garden shaped like a butterfly with outspread wings, home to remarkable species, including about twenty honey locust trees. Wander through the rose garden and among the dahlias while your children enjoy the playground.
- Feeling Forest This treetop adventure park is the perfect place for family thrills, with courses suspended over 10 meters above the ground. The site features 11 trails of varying difficulty and is accessible from the age of three.
- Pays-de-Monts National Forest Stretching 25 kilometers from Fromentine to La Barre-de-Monts, this forest spans more than 2,200 hectares. It hosts green oaks, maples, umbrella pines, and maritime pines. Popular among walkers, hikers, and mountain bikers, it’s a natural treasure for outdoor enthusiasts.
- Bourrine du Bois-Juquaud Museum This eco-museum, inaugurated in 1989, is located in the northern part of the town, nestled between wooded dunes. It occupies a bourrine de rive, a traditional Breton-Vendéen marsh dwelling. The visit offers insights into the lifestyle and traditions of the region’s inhabitants during the 19th and 20th centuries.
The Beaches of Saint-Hilaire-de-Riez in Vendée
- Demoiselles Beach 1: This sandy beach, accessible to people with reduced mobility, is ideal for swimming and water sports at high tide and clam digging at low tide. It features rentable cabins and tents, as well as a lifeguard station. The beach is supervised during the high season (July-August).
- Demoiselles Beach 2: A tantalizing playground for surfers and kitesurfers, with a water sports center offering equipment rentals and lessons for beginners or advanced practitioners. It is one of Saint-Hilaire-de-Riez’s beaches that brings together the main water sports of the Vendée coast: surfing, kitesurfing, windsurfing, sea kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, and more. The beach is easily accessible, with free parking nearby and restroom facilities.
- 60 Bornes Beach: A family-friendly beach with a lifeguard station available in July-August and free parking.
- Salins Beach: This fine sandy beach is one of Vendée’s most beautiful and is especially known for its kitesurfing spot near the Becs Beach.
- Becs Beach: A great surfing spot, with a parking area and free restrooms.
- Mouettes Beach and Pège Beach: These beaches are very popular with families, where swimming is safe thanks to lifeguard supervision (July-August).
- Parée Preneau Beach: The perfect beach to awaken your inner child and fly your kite in a designated area.
- Riez Beach: A beach with nearby free parking, a zone for kite flying, and space for beach games.
- Sion Beach: One of the best-equipped beaches in the seaside resort, featuring a water sports center offering various activities (windsurfing, catamaran, kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding). It also includes a library and a kids’ club. The beach is supervised in summer.
- 5 Pineaux Beach: A cove for swimmers seeking a peaceful spot for swimming and relaxation in Saint-Hilaire-de-Riez, with a natural pool accessible at low tide.
- Bussoleries Beach: This cove also has a retention basin that transforms into a seawater pool at low tide.
- La Pelle-à-Porteau Beach: A cove surrounded by rocks and dominated by the Vendée corniche, highly prized by shore fishermen.
Water Activities
Looking to make the most of your stay in a premium mobile home at the 4-star campsite with a covered and heated swimming pool, Le Paradis in Vendée, by gliding on the water and trying thrilling aquatic activities? Here’s an overview of the three main water sports bases in Saint-Hilaire-de-Riez:
- Sion Water Sports Base: Welcome to Sion Bay, where you can try sand yachting, windsurfing, stand-up paddleboarding, or hop on a catamaran to sail the Atlantic Ocean, just steps from the cliffs of the Vendée Corniche. Open during the warmer months (spring to September).
- Demoiselles Water Sports Base: Surfing and sand yachting are the top sports on this sandy beach, but you can also enjoy canoeing, kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, sailing, and beach volleyball.
- Vallées Water Sports Base: Located in the marshes by a calm water body, this base is ideal if you want a gentle introduction without the ocean waves. Activities include canoeing, kayaking, windsurfing, stand-up paddleboarding, catamaran sailing, and pedal boating. The site is accessible for people with reduced mobility (certified “Tourism and Disability”).
The Vie Salt Marshes
Curious to uncover the secrets of the Vendée coastline? Discover the region’s white gold with a guided visit to the Vie Salt Marshes in Saint-Hilaire-de-Riez. Guided tours are offered daily in July and August and must be booked in advance by phone (+33 6 81 97 39 84) or email (patrimoine@sainthilairederiez.fr). From September, tours run in the afternoons from Tuesday to Sunday, between 2:30 pm and 6:30 pm. The tour takes you through the marshes to meet Vendée salt workers, who will share insights into their craft, the salt harvesting process, and the fragility of the surrounding ecosystem. The visit ends with a salt tasting. The salt marshes are equipped to welcome cyclists (certified “Accueil Vélo”). Admission prices: €3.50 (ages 6–18) and €5.50 (adults). Free for children under 6.
Restaurants in Saint-Hilaire-de-Riez
Need to recharge after your surf lessons, salt marsh visit, and forest hikes? Here’s a spotlight on the top 5 restaurants in Saint-Hilaire-de-Riez:
- Le Lamparo: A reliable choice to enjoy fresh seafood on Avenue de la Corniche, near the ocean. Prices: €26 to €38.
- La Houle: Famous for its boat-shaped seafood platters. This restaurant with a terrace is located along the Vendée Corniche near the Devil’s Hole. Prices: €22 to €39.
- La Ferme de Mélusine: A must-visit if you’re traveling with kids. They can play in the playground and see farm animals while you enjoy your meal. Prices: €8 to €27.
- Le Boisvinet: The perfect setting (near the port and the Joséphine Tower) to savor seafood, especially the marinated sardines. Prices: €14 to €38.
- Le Gueuleton: The ideal spot for casual dining, featuring a highly appreciated buffet of starters. Prices: €9 to €26.