Saint-hilaire-de-Riez is the town with the longest Atlantic coastline in the Vendée: 13 km of fine sandy beaches bordered by dunes and 3 km of rocky coastline known as the “Corniche Vendéenne”, from which you can admire the 5 Pineaux, the Trou du diable, and, in fine weather, the Île d’Yeu on the horizon.
Saint Hilaire lies precisely between Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie and Saint-Jean-de-Monts.
With 12 supervised beaches and three water sports resorts offering catamaran, sand yachting, dinghy, windsurfing, optimist, sea kayak, paddle…it’s a leading seaside resort.
The charms of the ocean are complemented by the forest (600 ha), where hikers can discover two signposted loops. And the marshes: the salt workers of the Marais salants de la Vie, the Marais salant Prédevie and the Marais salant de l’étoile warmly welcome you to share their know-how.
The town organizes events throughout your stay: Free concerts, sporting activities, garage sales, festivals, fireworks, open-air cinema… there’s something for the whole family!!!
In Saint-Hilaire-de-Riez, don’t miss :
Base de mer des Demoiselles
A real site for board sports: sand yachting and kite surfing, two thrilling activities.
Base nautique des Vallées
On an inland stretch of water, safely discover your first tacks.
Base de mer de Sion sur l’Océan
An invigorating site for water sports.
Le Petit Train Touristique
The little train takes you to the Sion sur l’Océan market every Tuesday and Friday morning, to the salt marshes on Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons, and to the Saint Gilles Croix de Vie night market in the evening.
Departure from Sion or Les Mouettes. – Tel: 06 87 14 52 60
Seaside fishing
Outside swimming hours, you can enjoy angling from the seashore for delicious sea bass and turbot.
Fishing on the rocks
At low tide, when the sea uncovers the immense rocky plateau of Sion, it offers you a whole palette of flavours that you just have to pick.
Crabs, grey or pink shrimps hide in the water holes, while in the sand, you can use a scraper to harvest tellines (pine nuts), so tasty pan-fried with a touch of garlic and parsley.
River fishing
Cast fishing on the River Vie, at the Vallées dam.
