Villas in Ile de Noirmoutier

About Ile de Noirmoutier

The island runs about 18 km from end to end and varies from roughly 500 metres to 12 km wide. Four communes share it: Noirmoutier-en-l'Île is the historic capital, and Barbâtre is the southernmost. In the salt marshes, salt and fleur de sel are still harvested by hand. Beaches change with the coast. Plage du Midi at Barbâtre is a sand strip of more than 5 km, while the rocky shore beside the Bois de la Chaize has only small beaches. About 80 km of cycle paths cross the island. Many houses are second residences, and winters are mild enough for mimosas to flower. The homes spread over several kilometres, so beaches and shops are rarely on foot.

Is Ile de Noirmoutier right for you?

Best for

Cycling, salt marshes and sandy beaches on a small island

Not for you if

You want to arrive without checking tide tables or driving between beaches.

Near Ile de Noirmoutier

• Bois de la Chaize

  Woodland of mostly holm oaks on a rocky headland, with small shaded beaches such as Plage des Dames and the old Estacade landing pier.

• Passage du Gois

  Submersible causeway of about 4.5 km across the Baie de Bourgneuf, usable only at low tide, so check tide times before crossing.

• Plage du Midi

  The longest beach on the island, a sandy strip of more than 5 km at Barbâtre in the south.

• Noirmoutier-en-l'Île

  The historic capital and the most populous of the island's four communes, a natural base for a day without the beach.

Getting to Ile de Noirmoutier

Nantes Airport is the main gateway, around an hour and ten minutes by road. Buses from Nantes to Noirmoutier-en-l'Île run about every three hours, but a car makes the beaches and salt marshes much easier to reach. The road bridge has carried traffic since 1971.

When to go to Ile de Noirmoutier

Winters are mild enough for mimosas to flower, which suits cycling and walking out of season, though shops and restaurants may open shorter hours. Summer is the time for the long sandy Plage du Midi at Barbâtre. The Gois floods twice a day at high tide, so whatever the month, look up tide times before using it.

Ile de Noirmoutier villa holidays: questions answered

Nearby towns to Ile de Noirmoutier

• Les Sables d'Olonne (13)
• Chateau d'Olonne (12)
• Saint Jean de Monts (12)
• Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie/Givrand (10)
• Saint Hilaire de Riez (7)
• Talmont Saint Hilaire (7)
• All of Vendée