-
La Grande Plage
La Grande Plage of Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie is the most popular beach in town. It’s a 3 kilometer stretch of coastline that is known for its bustling “Remblais” a pedestrian boardwalk that stretches along the beach and is filled with restaurants, cafes, and lots of terraces with ocean views. Les Marées This part of Frane is known for its dramatic tides or “marées” and La Grande Plage is a great beach to see these extreme tides on display. Marée Basse During low tide or Marée Basse, the beach stretches out as far as the eye can see, making it a seaside paradise for kids. The water is traditionally warm in the summer,…
-
Le Banc des Sardines
Le Banc des Sardines is a charming little food truck in the parking lot of the Port of Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie. It serves up fresh, local sardines grilled to perfection! How to Find It? Le Banc des Sardines is a bit off the beaten path which is why it’s mostly frequented by the locals who know where to find it! It’s accessible across the train tracks, via a parking lot reserved mostly for the fisherman. There are a few public spaces available to customers that don’t require a card to get in. How Le Banc des Sardines Started Le Banc des Sardines was started by Serge Doux, a fisherman who comes from…
-
Entry
When you arrive at Maison Coli, you’ll enter through a small entryway that leads to the open kitchen and great room beyond. It’s a charming entryway that is also quite functional too! The Entry Chest Inside the chest is a book of brochures and pamphlets of fun things to do in the area. From Chateaux to visit to water parks for the kids, historic sites, and many other outdoor activities! As well as maps for biking and getting around. Please feel free to add your own brochures of places you’ve found that you think others would enjoy! The Bench and Baskets The baskets in the entry are for you…
-
The Markets
Saint-Gilles-Croix-De-Vie was once two towns Sant Gilles and Croix de Vie, separated by La Vie river. In 1967 the two towns united to form one, and became known as Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie. Today they are connected by a bridge that connects the towns across the river. Evidence of the “two towns” still remains and can be seen in the “two churches” and the “two markets”, that Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie maintains. Market Days Markets days are plentiful in the summer and occur several times during the week on the Saint Gilles side and on the Croix de Vie side. For the most part, it’s the same sellers at each market, but each market has…
-
Boisvinet Beach
The smaller beach in Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie is the Boisvinet Beach. It is located North of Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie, along the Corniche. It’s a charming local beach that is popular with families because the surf is mild and lifeguards are on duty. The Sailing + Surf School There is a surf and sailing school on Boisvinet Beach called Semvie Nautisime it offers classes in surf, sailing, windsurfing, and more for both kids and adults. The Swiming Basin A nice feature of the Boisvinet beach is the swimming basin. At low tide, the basin is revealed and is a nice place for kids and adults to swim in calmer waters without bumping into any boats…
-
Logis de la Chabotterie
Less than an hour from Maison Coli, is the marvelous Logis de la Chabotterie; a rustic-style Chateau from the late 18th century, complete with period rooms and formal French gardens. The War of Vendée The Logis de la Chabotterie is located in the Vendée region, south of the Loire in Western France. The War of Vendée involved the “counter-revolutionaries” who were on the side of the King during the French Revolution. This is a very interesting time period that is brought to life via an interactive exhibit as the Logis which illustrates the historical events leading up to the war and its eventual conclusion which coincided with the capture…
