Tourist Information, Vendee History, Accommodation, Photos, Reviews, Maps,
St Gilles Croix de Vie
This
attractive seaside resort and fishing harbour on the Atlantic coast was
originally two towns, St.Gilles-sur-Vie (south) and Croix-de-Vie (north)
which had developed on either side of the river Vie,
they were joined in 1967 to form St.Gilles-Croix-de-Vie. Little did
Benjamin Beneteau know back in 1884 when he first started manufacturing
fishing boats in st.Gilles, that one day his firm would be the world’s
leader in the manufacture of sailing boats. Today there are 5 factories
in the Vendée producing his boats.
At any season of the year the town has a lot to offer, the busy fishing port is full of colourful boats, and from there it is also possible to catch a ferry to the L'ile d'Yeu or charter a boat
to go fishing. With such diversity as the long sandy beach of the Grand
Plage, with its beautiful promenade full of shops cafes and restaurants
and the rocky coves and small beaches which border the Corniche Vendéene
just north of the town, St Gilles Coix de Vie is truly a jewel on the
Vendée’s Atlantic coast. The harbour side is a lively place with good restaurants,
bars and cafes and there are endless pleasant walks, not only along the
harbour front but also back along the river or around from the harbour
via the point de la Garenne to the grand Plage, then returning via le
Sabliar on either side of the canal.
As
you would expect from a seaside resort all the water and beach sports
are practised here from windsurfing, kite surfing, long and short board
surfing, sailing, sand yachts, beach casting and fishing from boats,
harbour walls and rocks and much much more. There is an easy pace to
life here, with time to enjoy a quiet coffee and watch the world go by,
or to take a stroll and watch the sun set, or to pick up fresh
vegetables and fish from the daily markets. With the constant ebbing and
flooding of the tide the scenery changes, and it is not hard to see why
this is a favourite destination for holiday makers.
St.Gilles-Croix-de-Vie has a rich culture for Entertainment and this is evident in the days of jazz festival (saint-jazz-sur-Vie)
which takes place every May with both street shows and concerts. 2012,
5th May to 27th May with internation jass festival on the 26th and 27th
May. There are fêtes every evening on the Quai Rivière from Mid-June to
Mid-September, and regular art exhibitions. Street artist perform in the
streets July in the "deferlante" 2012 program starts 11th July.Also Musicales du Pays de St.Gilles which is on from July 27th to 10th August 2012
Bike Hire; Bouticycle45 Quai Gorin. Tel. 02 51 55 47 09.
Gateau Gerard. 50,rue Calvaire. Tel. O2 51 55 48 56.
Canoe Hire; Canoe du Marais. rue Tressanges Givrand. Tel.02 51 54 46 81 .
Base Cano Evasion. Chemin de la Justice. La Chaize Giraud. Tel 06 67 09 80 62.
www.canoevasion.fr
Horse riding; St.Reverend. Centre Equestre de l'Aumariere. Tel.06 84 87 45 04.
Horse & pony riding.
Spectacles Equestrian every Tuesday &
Friday evening, 20h to 22h Tarif 8€ under 10's 6€.
Karting; West Adventure. St Reverend.Nr. St.Gilles croix de Vie. Tel 02 51 54 66 93.
Tennis; Tennis St Gilles. Rue Rabalette. Tel. 02 51 55 29 08
Tennis Club St.Gilles Croix de Vie. 3 Avenue Atlantique. Tel. 02 51 55 19 43.
Discotheque: Saint Reverend, L'Albatros Baubretiere 02 51 54 05 68.
Markets; St.Gilles Side. Every Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday mornings.
Croix de Vie side. Every Wednesday and Saturday mornings.
Nocturne Markets every evening from 2nd July to 31st August from
20h at Quai du port Fidele &
Place du Vieux Port.
Wi.Fi. Within 100 meters of the Tourist Office. 3€ per week payable on line.
Excursions; Campagnie Vendeen. Daily trips to Ile d'Yeu and sight seeing trips.
Photo Gallery of St.Gilles-croix-de-Vie
Return to find more interesting towns and villages in the Vendee
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