L’Épine: Harbor, Salt Marshes and Island Trails

If you’re looking for a hotel in L’Épine, you can get to know the area through its different island attractions: Port de Morin on the west coast, traditional salt production, trails through forests and dunes, and religious art in the church of Saint-Jean-Baptiste-de-l’Épine. These places represent different sides of a stay—from the harbor and salt marshes to the landscape and local history.

Port de Morin on the west coast

The modern Port de Morin marina is located in L’Épine on the island’s west coast. It has space for 850 boats and dries out at the lowest tide. The capacity describes the harbor, while the tide is an important natural condition: if you include Port de Morin in your plans, you should take the tides into account.

The harbor is also a good starting point for deep-sea fishing and spearfishing. This connects the area not only with coastal views, but also with activities at sea. The conditions at the harbor and the tides are among the features that set it apart from trails through the island’s natural landscape.

Salt harvesting and salt marshes

At Le Sel de Ronan, free guided tours explain the steps involved in traditional salt harvesting, from preparing the ponds to producing coarse salt and fleur de sel. Visiting arrangements vary by season. If weather conditions allow, you can also watch the fleur de sel harvest there. The guided tour and the opportunity to watch the harvest offer different insights into the same process; watching the harvest is explicitly weather-dependent.

Another way to explore the salt marshes is the “Les Marais salants avec Louise” treasure hunt, which takes place in L’Épine. It introduces the island’s salt marshes, their history and the traditional work of the salt farmers. While the tour at Le Sel de Ronan explains the individual steps of harvesting, this activity focuses on the landscape and its history.

The salt marshes are also the focus at Marais salant Bonne Pogne. In suitable weather, free explanations are offered there at 4 p.m. from June to September, right at the edge of the salt marshes. In the Salorge, or salt hut, Bonne Pogne sells salt, fleur de sel, flavored varieties and gifts from February to November. On-site products at Le Sel de Ronan include salicornia, plain and flavored coarse salt, plain and flavored fleur de sel, and fine salt; availability may vary.

Church art and lanes

The church of Saint-Jean-Baptiste-de-l’Épine houses a 1672 painting of the Adoration of the Magi, inspired by Rubens. A display case near the main entrance features historic religious objects. These include two chalices, a ciborium, a monstrance, a processional cross and a reliquary cross, a chasuble, a lectern and a box for the holy oils. Together, the painting and the objects represent the area’s religious art and material history.

The Chemin de mer et de marais route ends with a visit to the village of L’Épine and its very characteristic lanes. Its described finish turns your attention to the village, while the hiking trail in the Bois des Eloux passes through a variety of landscapes.

Forest trails, dunes and island views

The Bois des Eloux is a protected site between L’Épine and La Guérinière. A signposted hiking trail marked in yellow runs through dunes, marshland and forests. The landscape changes along the route, taking you through coastal and wetland areas as well as woodland.

The island’s highest points, at around 23 meters high, are in the Bois des Eloux. These include the Pé de l’Herse in La Guérinière, which offers panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean. The viewpoint is therefore in La Guérinière, while the protected site lies between that municipality and L’Épine.

Les Perles are hidden ponds near Pointe du Devin and the salt marshes of L’Épine on the island of Noirmoutier. Children can enjoy a safe learning environment there, where they can try Optimist sailing, stand-up paddling and windsurfing. L’Épine thus offers a range of natural attractions: a marked trail through dunes, marshland and forest, as well as ponds with opportunities to learn water sports.

Discover more destinations: Coëx, Mesnard-La-Barotière, Sallertaine, Antigny, Fougeré, Thouarsais-Bouildroux, Saint-Juire-Champgillon, Saint-Cyr-En-Talmondais.

For the wider travel overview: Vendée.