Joël Aumaille

The Pointe de Saint Gildas offers an exceptional view over Bourgneuf Bay and the Loire Estuary, and is one of the most visited sites in the Pays de Retz. It is a strategic location, as evidenced by the blockhouses which, during the Second World War, helped to defend the Saint-Nazaire submarine base.

Walk along Gohaud Beach, known for its fishing and surfing. Then enter the Pierre Attelée forest, where you will appreciate the shade on hot days.

Tharon Plage, the jewel of the Côte de Jade, is the seaside resort in the commune of Saint-Michel-Chef-Chef, world-famous for its Galettes Saint-Michel – this is our home! A stroll along the seafront offers lovely walks and the chance to explore the fishing huts, the spring, the grand staircase, the Sainte-Anne Chapel and the port of Comberge. Also worth a visit is the public garden and its pond, much loved by children and the people of Tharon.

This hike through land, forest and sea starts at the Chapel of Tharon-Plage and takes you to Saint-Michel-Chef-Chef via an inland route, then on to the Forest of Pierre Attelée and finally to Les Rochelets in the commune of Saint-Brévin. The return to the starting point is through the shade of the forest and then along the coast with its fisheries, surfers and the Port de Comberge.

Préfailles was once a seaside resort renowned for the health benefits of its iron-rich spring, which has now almost dried up. You can explore it on this walk, along with the grand villas built during that era. As you walk along the Sentier des Douaniers and the Chemin des Peintres, you’ll discover a rugged stretch of the Côte de Jade with its beaches and crystal-clear waters.