Discover the Charente-Maritime
Activities to do in Bretignolles sur mer
Bretignolles-sur-Mer, a seaside resort, is an ideal destination for a relaxing holiday during the holidays. Its environment is quiet and green, it has a great cultural richness, and many places to visit. This locality ensures a change of scenery, relaxation and different types of interesting activities for all types of visitors.
The general situation of Bretignolles sur mer
Bretignolles-sur-Mer is a small commune in the Vendée department, located in the Pays de la Loire region, on the Côte de Lumière in central-western France. Its oceanic climate offers a cool, sunny summer and a mild winter. Regular rainfall marks the year. You can indulge in all types of activities in any season.
Bretignolles-sur-Mer covers nearly 2700 hectares, with more than 12 km of coastal strip. This destination is popular for its many fine sandy beaches such as the Marais-Girard, the Normandelière, the Dunes, the Parée or the Sauzaie.
With about 5000 inhabitants, you will be able to enjoy a preserved natural area, and have a feeling of freedom and space.
About 5 hours from the capital, Bretignolles sur mer, you can come by: train, bus, night bus, personal car…
What to do in Bretignolles sur mer?
There are a multitude of activities to do in Bretignolles sur mer. As the city is located on the coast, water activities occupy an important place.
Among the most popular are surfing, windsurfing or kitesurfing. Demarcated areas are accessible for fans of these sports, such as those on the beaches, the dunes where you can see schools and surf rental companies.
The Sauzaie spot is ideal for surfing, and is lit up at night during the summer periods. There is also a sailing school located in La Normandelière for those who want to learn about it.
The sea is generally calm and allows for swimming, jet ski or small boat trips. La Parée beach has a natural pool for a quiet swim with the family. The beaches of Brétignolles sur mer are ideal for beach volleyball or beach soccer.
The Bodies of water and rivers are ideal for freshwater fishing : carp or bream at the end of the net. Fishing on foot in rocky areas is another alternative. This option is ideal for harvesting oysters, shellfish, seaweed or fishing for crabs and other crustaceans.
Nature lovers will be delighted by the dunes such as La Sauzie and La Gachère with their preserved and wild environment. Different kinds of small animals and insects live there. There is also a very wide variety of plants that make the reputation of the flora of this region: orchids, exotic plants, but also rare species such as the cynoglossus.
Places to visit in Bretignolles sur mer
Bretignolles sur mer is full of emblematic and historical places that are a must see when you visit Bretignolles sur mer. First of all, there are the different districts of the city, such as the shopping streets of the Les Halles district, with its shops, cafes and restaurants. The Thursday market which revolves around the church of Notre-Dame de L’Assomption.
The Château de Beaumarchais is also a must-see when you pass through this town. Then there is also the standing stone of Soubise, the dolmen which is a historical monument listed as a French heritage. And there is no question of missing out on the miniature Vendée, a representation of an ancient village on a scale of 1/10. It will delight young and old alike with its 650 characters, its small buildings, its steam locomotive and its very realistic water mill.
The La Parée district offers several types of entertainment and entertainment, especially for children. The latter is equipped with rides and bouncy castles. Older children will certainly appreciate its restaurants and bars. Taste regional specialties such as bottereau, Vendée brioche, chaouée, fressure, or foutimassons.
The events organized and the attractions?
Many cultural events and festivities are organised in the town of Bretignolles sur mer. We can mention the festival La 7e Vague. Dedicated to modern music, this event takes place every year on the Ascension weekend.
Sports competitions, including surfing, kitesurfing or sailing races as well as beach sports, are organised in April. Among these is the Protest Vendée Pro championship.
Various artistic workshops are held from May to August such as cardboard classes, yoga classes, exhibitions, garage sales and guided tours.
Several attraction centers are also present in the city and its surroundings, such as the Multiplex of the Pays de Saint-Gilles, the Parc de la Pège, the Pop Corn Labyrinth, the Royal Kids or the Illusion VR located in La Roche-sur-Yon.
10 things to do or visit in Bretignolles-sur-mer
Visiting Bretignolles-sur-mer soon? We have put together a list of activities to do and places to visit.
The miniature Vendée
Visiting the Vendée miniatures is surely the most popular and appreciated activity for tourists in Bretignolles-sur-mer. The miniature Vendée is a miniature representation of the village of the Vendée of yesteryear, more precisely around the 1920s. It is a 450 m² model on a scale of 1/10th.
The Corniche walk
This type of walk will of course take you to the Vendée Corniche, but above all it will make you discover, through the coastal paths,the beach of Boisvinet, the ” devil’s hole ” or the geyser. Several service providers offer this type of walk in Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie for a duration of 1 hour to 2 hours 30 minutes.
The Corque Cove and its rock
In addition to the magnificent landscape offered by the path, the Corque Cove also invites you to discover the Veronique Rock. It’s a natural monolith that stands like a peak in the middle of nowhere. The disappearance of its tip in the 60s testifies to the aggressiveness of the waves in this area in certain seasons.
The beaches
La Parée, La Normandelière, La Sauzaie or the Plage des Dunes, Bretignolles-sur-mer offers us 12 km of coastline. You can practice different activities such as surfing, sailing, catamaran sailing, etc. The beaches are also colonised by restaurants, bars and ice cream parlours, which are very lively during the holidays.
The dunes
Classified as a Natura 2000 site, the Sauzaie and Jaunay dunes are one of the largest in the Vendée. Little known and remaining in its natural state, it contains an exceptional flora and fauna.
The Church of Notre Dame
The church of Notre Dame dates from the 1850s and replaces an old church considered too small, built 50 years earlier. Several elements, which you can still visit today, such as the white marble high altar, the organ, the nineteenth-century Christ on the cross or the statues, already belonged to the old church.
Sport fishing
In the Vendée, it is also the ideal place to learn about sport fishing. Like Vendée Pêche Passion, several establishments offer you an instructorship in this discipline in Bretignolles-sur-mer. It is also an opportunity to take a trip at sea, by boat or kayak.
The dolmen of the Pierre-Levée de Soubise
Also known as the “devil’s stone ” or ” the demon’s stone “, the dolmen of the Pierre-Levée de Soubise has always aroused curiosity.
It is said that it is above all a place of sabbath for sorcerers and witches.
It also seems that the cover table is able to turn around at the sound of the bell of the nearby church of Saint-Nicolas-de-Brem.
The Girard Marsh
The Girard Marsh is a large beach and an eco-lodge farm.
But it is also the stele of the customs officers and the red stone.
The stele was erected in the 1750s, in honor of the customs officers who monitored the comings and goings on the beaches.
The stone, on the other hand, is a deposit of red quartz nestled on the cliff.
The Church of St. Nicholas in Brem
In reality, we leave the town of Bretignolles-sur-mer, but by barely a few hundred meters.
The church of Saint-Nicolas de Brem is one of the oldest in the Vendée.
Here you will come across very old murals and the statue of St. Nicholas surrounded by very mysterious motifs.
If you are looking for a warm family campsite with a covered and heated swimming pool, do not hesitate to contact us for more information.
