Unforgettable holidays on the Loire-Atlantique coast

Come and spend your holidays on the Loire-Atlantique coast and be sure to experience a rich and unique holiday! You'll be able to vary the pleasures of the summer with a wide range of activities, including heritage and historical visits, walks along the wild coastline and more sporting activities. Your stay in Loire-Atlantique also means a gourmet holiday, savouring local specialities and spending convivial moments at the best addresses on the Atlantic coast: we present it all to you in this article.

Visit the cités côtières of Loire-Atlantique: a wealth of heritage and history

The spa towns of Loire-Atlantique have a lot to offer. Their streets and squares all have a rich history to tell. During your summer visit to Pornic, Saint-Nazaire, Batz-sur-Mer or Gueacute;rande, set off to discover unique places with amazing stories! There are plenty of guided tours to immerse you in the heritage and history of these towns. The best of the tours is to be found in the offers of the Passeport Vacances Gîtes de France Loire-Atlantique !

Randonner sur les sentiers côtiers : paysages et nature sauvage

After visiting the city, why not recharge your batteries in some quieter spots? It couldn't be easier: by following the coastal paths, you'll discover wild places offering unique landscapes and atmospheres. You won't miss out on the GR34 and GR8 long-distance footpaths, both known as the "sentier des douaniers", which criss-cross the Loire-Atlantique coastline. Learn about the authentic pêcheries that will greet your passing and the most beautiful beaches in Loire-Atlantique that will beckon you to take a break on their warm sands.

Routes, displays and signposting have been designed to make walking possible for all levels. Short distances or long loops depending on your fitness and your desires, you just need to set off well equipped ! 

Touring the coastline à vélo : évasion en quelques coups de pédale

The Loire-Atlantique region is also a place where you can enjoy slow tourism on 2 wheels! And you're bound to find yourself close to the route of the Vélocéan. This signposted route links Mesquer and Bourgneuf via La Baule, Saint-Brévin-l'Océan and all the other holiday towns along the Loire-Atlantique coastline. You'll be completely safe and sound, and all you have to do is enjoy the scenery!

If you want to opt for car hire during your holiday, you're making the right choice. It's the perfect way to benefit from the latest generation vehicles and to drive with complete peace of mind! On the outskirts of Pornic, the Sea Bike & Sun rental agency will be able to advise you and offer you bikes to suit your needs. À Guérande, with Les Trottes de l’Ouest it’s a fun and dynamic ride that awaits you with their all-terrain electric scooters!! 

Fun on the ocean: water activities for everyone 

To make the most of the waves on the Atlantic coast, water sports activities are just waiting for you! These activities are sometimes sporty, but above all they're fun. You're bound to find the activity that's right for you, on the sand or on the water.

Set off to conquer the ocean, either by force of arms or carried by the wind! In Pornic, Kayak Nomade offers canoe trips to discover the Côcirc;te de Jade from a different angle, during the day or at sunset. You can also go paddling with Ecole Line Up in Saint-Nazaire and Pornic. Ecole Line Up also offers a range of sailing activities, including kite surfing on the beach at Saint-Brévin-l’Océan, a not-to-be-missed spot. You're sure to get your fill of great sensations!

Well exposed to the winds, this huge beach is also the perfect playground for those who want to stay on land! EKS 44 offers introductory courses in sand yachting for all levels, and Line Up School and lesser-known Landkite sessions. Be ready to play with the wind for unforgettable memories!

Découvrir le terroir local: des produits et savoir-faire inédits

Come on holiday to the Loire-Atlantique region and discover its unique terroir and unrivalled craft skills. These are the places you won't find anywhere else that open their doors to you: visit the faïencerie à Pornic, immerse yourself in a sardinier à La Turballe…

The salt marshes of Guérande are known the world over and there’s nothing better than coming to discover the salt à its source! The site of Terre de Sel and the Maison des Paludiers, partners of the Passeport Vacances des Gîtes de France® in Loire-Atlantique, will welcome you to dévoiler everything. 

At La Plaine-sur-Mer, it is the well-known spirulina that is produced close to the shore. Spiruline de Retz, another partner in our passport, welcomes the public to find out more about its activity! Spirulina is a highly nutritious microalgae, produced here in special ponds. You'll be able to find out all about the production process thanks to your guide, Hugo.

Hanging out around a good table: convivial life in Loire-Atlantique

When you're in the Loire-Atlantique region, you won't want to miss out on the seafood tasting: prawns, mussels, oysters and other shellfish will satisfy every palate! Many restaurants along the coast have made this their speciality. 

Your plate could also be made up of good fish, freshly brought in from the port and cooked, with a good beurre blanc for example. This sauce is THE speciality of Loire-Atlantique. You can learn about it on a salt crusted bar at Le Duguay Trouin restaurant in Le Pouliguen. 

Meat lovers won't be left out: the langouille briéronne is made for them! This delicatessen is the pride and joy of Brière, the marshland close to Guérande! It is an andouille made from pork tongue smoked, wrapped in natural egg casing and cooked in stock. Langouille briéronne is the speciality of Labbé Simon à Saint-Malo-de-Guersac charcuterie. 

For your most beautiful holidays on the Atlantic coast, the terraces on the ports and beaches of Loire-Atlantique will welcome you. These are ideal places to relax and enjoy the ocean in the early hours of the morning, and more festive times in the evening! These moments of conviviality to the sound of the waves are sure to leave you with beautiful memories in your holiday album on the coast. 

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Décover all our accommodation located close to the coast; in a gite or bed and breakfast;tes, the Gîtes de France® owners warmly welcome you and share all their good tips for making the most of your seaside holidays in Loire-Atlantique.

Photo credits: ALamoureux; JJehanin

Said text: Ma Vie en Loire-Atlantique