Longeville-Sur-Mer: Coast, Forest and Marais Poitevin

Longeville-sur-Mer combines beach, forest and marshland. The landscape ranges from the plain across the marshland to the forest, which borders a 7.2-kilometer sandy coastline. When planning your trip, it is worth considering the different options: at the beaches, you can swim, sunbathe, fish from the shore and enjoy various water sports. There are also hiking trails, a stage of the Vélodyssée, boat trips and historical sights.

Beaches, dunes and water sports

Plage des Conches is located next to the Forêt domaniale de Longeville-sur-Mer and is bordered by high dunes. It is described as a well-known surfing beach; further south is the Bud Bud surf spot, which is considered renowned. At Plage du Bouil, there is an area reserved for kitesurfing. Between access points 2 and 3, there is also a navigation channel that allows various water sports. Please note that detailed seasonal beach regulations may change.

Plage du Rocher is certified as a Handiplage and has facilities for access to the water. A Handiplagiste is also available there, who can accompany people with reduced mobility into the water using a Tiralo. This assistance may be organized seasonally. If this beach is important for your plans, you can check on the assistance before your visit.

Forest, dunes and trails

The Forêt domaniale is home to a diverse range of flora and fauna. Its dune environment is home to numerous distinctive species, some of which are rare and protected. Longeville-sur-Mer is also a member municipality of the Parc interrégional du Marais poitevin. Both the coastal and marsh landscapes are therefore part of the destination’s character.

Three hiking trails run through the Forêt domaniale between Plage du Rocher and Plage des Conches. They range from 1.3 to 10.6 kilometers in length, giving you a choice of different routes when planning. For a break during a cycling stage, the facilities at the Plage des Conches parking lot are a good option: from there, you can enjoy views of the ocean and check your cycling equipment. Longeville-sur-Mer is a stage of the Vélodyssée, an Atlantic cycling route more than 1,200 kilometers long, from Roscoff to Hendaye.

Marais Poitevin and historical sights

At the Maison du Marais, you can independently explore a three-kilometer route through the distinctive natural landscape of the Marais Poitevin by boat or canoe. Information boards line the route; the average duration is 1 to 1.25 hours. On a boat or canoe trip from the Maison du Marais landing stage, you can also pass under the Pont de la Pépière. The bridge is more than 200 years old. The water route is thus described in terms of time, while the hiking trails are specified by distance.

Another option in Longeville-sur-Mer is three permanent treasure hunts that extend across the municipality. They complement the experiences of the beaches, forest and marshland with an activity that takes in different parts of the municipality.

The area’s architectural and cultural history can also be seen at specific sites. The former priory church of Notre-Dame is now the parish church of Longeville-sur-Mer. It was first mentioned in 1195 and was then a dependency of the Abbey of Sainte-Croix de Talmont. The Menhir du Russelet is made of sandstone, measures 3.80 meters high, 2.80 meters wide and 1.30 meters thick, and weighs about 26 tons. The church and the menhir represent two different historical reference points: a site with medieval heritage and a stone monument whose dimensions and weight can be precisely stated.

Discover more destinations: Tallud-Sainte-Gemme, Saint-Hilaire-Des-Loges, Saint-Pierre-du-Chemin, Chasnais, La Chaize-Le-Vicomte, Velluire, Lavaud, Luçon.

For the broader travel overview: Vendée.