Saint-Jean-de-Monts walks

A very easy ride to explore the dune forest and Vendée marshes by mountain bike or hybrid bike.

Located between Saint-Hilaire-de-Riez and Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie, the Vendée coastline offers hikers and walkers three kilometres of wild rocky coastline. A beautiful hike or walk to enjoy. The small paths, away from cars and bicycles, make this walk a wonderful experience and a treat for young and old alike.

This invigorating little tour invites you to discover some of the treasures of Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie, crossed by the mouth of the coastal river La Vie, which flows into the Atlantic Ocean.

A beautiful walk around a large part of the Polder de Sébastopol nature reserve. This route also takes you past the Étang Vide and the exit of the Gois passage on the Île de Noirmoutier side.

Far from the hustle and bustle of the seaside, the peaceful Lac du Gué Gorand is perfect for a lovely stroll along the water's edge. The dam, which was filled in 1990, is used to irrigate 400 hectares of farmland and the Fontenelles golf course.

A beautiful coastal hike that goes all the way around the island.

The sound of waves crashing on the beaches, the smell of salt air and invigorating sea breezes: this is what you can expect on this hike, which follows the coastline as closely as possible.

Check out this beautiful trail completes a circuit around "Lac du Jaunay”. It is a quiet and wonderful place for nature lovers.

Just a few minutes from the ocean, take a stroll along the country lanes among sunflowers, wheat fields and vineyards. ⚠️ 25/06/2025: it seems that it is impossible to access the field between 3 and 4 along the path. Thank you for your feedback on this in the reviews.

A seaside walk starting from the small Port du Collet, formed by the estuary of a coastal river between the Loire Atlantique and the Vendée It first follows a small winding road through the Marais Breton marshes, where you can observe numerous wild birds, including swans, geese, ducks, egrets and other marsh wildlife. It then runs along the coast, between the dunes and the beach, with magnificent views of the island of Noirmoutier, Bourgneuf Bay and its fishing grounds.

A very pleasant hike between Brem-sur-Mer and Île d'Olonne, which first follows the trails of the Forêt d'Olonne, then the Marais d'Olonne and finally the bocage of the hinterland. ⚠️ 13.08.2025: hike modified between 7 and 8, no access for bikes at 7 to reach the marshes.

A beautiful circuit between the sea and the marshes at the northern tip of the Île de Noirmoutier, near L'Herbaudière.

This route winds between the forest and the Olonnes marshes, where many species of birds come to find food and peace.

The Olonne forest stretches across the dune massif that borders the ocean between Brem-sur-Mer and Les Sables d'Olonne. This massif completely isolates the marshes located between the forest and the first hills where the vineyards of the Vendée fiefdoms flourish. This circuit offers a walk between the ocean and the banks of the Vertonne through the flat, open landscapes of the marshes, the more rugged forest and the immensity of the sea.

This is a pleasant route offering a beautiful walk through the forest, over the dunes and along the beach, with a climb back up to the ski hill, the highest point in the forest at 34 metres above sea level.

This beach walk should be done at low tide and includes a section through the marshes. Remember to check the tide times (see practical information). Moderator's note: The route was modified on 16/06/2023 to bypass the Bois de la Blanche between 2 and 5, which is private property.

Hike on the sand along the beach, then through the marshes.

This hike allows you to discover the Machecoul forest with its characteristic flora and rich forest birdlife, not to mention numerous rare or endangered insects.

Set off to explore the Marais des Olonnes.

A very pleasant walk in the Île d'Olonne Marshes Nature Reserve. You are likely to see herons and other species.