The
picturesque island of Noirmoutier has two accesses: the
bridge or the Gois which is passable at low tide. On the
island there are some rocky creeks at Bois de la Chaise
and sandy beaches, forests of holm oak, maritime pines
and
mimosas among elegant french family holdiay homes
built at the end of the 19th century.
In
the village called Noirmoutier there is a castle with
an 11th century dungeon, and museums of traditions and
a naval museum too. The aquarium and sealion show at Sealand
is also well worth a visit if you can drag the kids away
from the water park at Oceanile. There are many pretty
traditional white houses. The port of la Gueriniere is
also interetsing, aswell as the many salt marshes. Along
with the oyster farms this is the main activity on the
island. However there are also 8 sailing centres on the
island to keep you active and miles of cycle circuits.
There are 3 main famous regatas in August.There are 2
ways of getting to the island of Noirmoutier : by bridge,
or by a causeway called the " gois " only praticable
at low tide. Le Gois is famous in France as it is a submersible
road allowing access to Noirmoutier only during the low
tide, then the high tide rushes in " at the speed
of horses "!! On the island Noirmoutier, a day out
can include a visit to Sealand, which is an aquarium with
over 200 species; a visit to Oceanile swimming pool complex
and water slides; a walk through the Bois de la Chaise
or a cycle ride on one of the especaially designed cycle
paths.
