We went into the islands off the continental France , hugely popular and lovely; it was like been born again for me! I like to update this posts from 2017 with links,text using same pictures. There are several posts on the island and a lot more pictures in my blog. Hope you enjoy it as much as I ! This one is Ïle de Noirmoutier , part I !
This is the beginning of several posts on the Vendée dept 85 old region of France , historically proud and independent not a fan of the French revolution. It is today in the region of Pays de la Loire; but it was the historical province of Poitou, specifically the department correspond to the old Bas-Poitou.
I have passed by here many times , but as always in my belle France, there is so much to see and do ,little time , will need a lifetime !!! However, this Sunday I took a decision to go and visit the island of Noirmoutier and it was a pleasant surprise or rather I knew it would be beautiful !
We rode by car , of course, the best way to travel in country. taking the N165 down from me is about 2h45 and 207 kms. We cut by Pont Chateau D773 to the N171 and then , the Pont de Saint Nazaire on the D213 or Route Bleue towards Bourneuf -en-Retz, to Bouin on the D758 onwards to Beauvoir sur Mer ,then get on the D22 to Fromentine, and there take the D38 at La Barre de Monts ,and on the bridge or pont de Noirmoustier. The ride was wonderfully good and easy with great sites along the ocean and marine terminals and the marais Breton or Breton marshes!
Info traffic on the pont de Saint Nazaire in French: https://inforoutes.loire-atlantique.fr/jcms/navigation/navigation-principale/pont-de-saint-nazaire/info-trafic-sur-le-pont-de-saint-nazaire/info-trafic-sur-le-pont-de-saint-nazaire-fr-dev_6133
We passed once on the island the town of Barbâtre and its windmills or moulins. The nice intermarché supermarket at La Guériniére. There is a nice butterfly island garden and a nice monument stone to a fallen B17 US crew in WWII; and the beach or Plage de la Cantine with its bunkers of WWII. Aerosteles Aeronautical webpage on memorials and the one here: https://www.aerosteles.net/stelefr-lagueriniere-b17
All the way to the bus station or gare routiére in Noirmoutier. You see a small aquarium or Sealand, a bit smallish and a bit expensive but it is right in the digue or canal out to sea. There is a nice petit train or small train ride out from Place d’Armes by the castle.
And the historical home of the Oratoire de Sainte Marie de Euphrasie Pelletier. The Saint was born here in 1796 with the name Rose Virginie Pelletier and was canonize in 1940. She left us in 1868 at the age of 72. It now houses the religious order of the Bon Pasteur for the retirement periods which they purchased in 1951. The order joined with those of Notre Dame de Charité in 2004. This house is the birthplace of the Saint. Bon Pasteur webpage on the founders of the order in French: https://www.bonpasteur.com/missions/les-fondateurs
A blog showcasing the Oratory of Sainte Marie de Euphrasie Pelletier in French:https://lalumierededieu.blogspot.com/2016/06/noirmoutier-en-ile-oratoire-sainte.html
As well as a nice Hôtel de Ville or city hall building on the Place de l’hôtel de ville. You see an interesting stone by the digues on the canal of the anchor stone of the boat that brought St James or Santiago de Compostela to Padron, and both cities are twin so the gift to this island.
Then, there is the Les Salorges, old salt storage buildings now use as a cultural center for theater plays, concerts etc facing the canal out to sea.The city of Noirmoutier on the cultural center of Les Salorges in French: https://www.ville-noirmoutier.fr/listes/les-salorges/
The tourist office of Noirmoutier en Île in English: https://www.ile-noirmoutier.com/en
The Vendée dept 85 tourist office on Noirmoutier en Île in English: http://www.vendee-tourism.co.uk/discover/nature-and-countryside/noirmoutier-island/
In all a wonderful day sunny nice and full of visitors! The first day of tourist season and it was packed, things look rosy in the coming weeks and months for Noirmoutier island or Noirmoutier-en-île. Hope you enjoy the post and the series on this wonderful island. See you around the coasts of France!
And remember,happy travels, good health, and many cheers to all !!!
Paris1972-Versailles2003 
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