Paris1972-Versailles2003

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. This one is Île de Noirmoutier , part II ! Hope you enjoy it as I.

Ok so now taking over from my personal trip to the Vendée , the continuation of the visit to Noirmoutier-en-île. As in Part II or 2. You can meander thru the little tight streets  with a beach scent of the island and its white houses, colorful merchants and restaurants of all sorts but especially ,the sea. The season actually starts in April, and on the first day it was already packed. Talking with locals , we were told to rent in summer you need about a year in advance to get the best properties; it is very sought after here.  It was the leisure walk on the town knowing that this is an island that is only 18 km long by a width that goes from 500 meters to 12 km for a total area of 49 km 2. Ok if my non metric background tells me correctly this is about 11 miles long by from 800 feet to 7 miles for a total area of 19 square miles.  So the water is all around you , and the architecture resembles more of a Spanish white town of Andalucía than all the way north in the Vendée of France.

Just going over to the town, it was that time to finally eat something hot so we passed by the picturesque square or place Saint  Louis of many restos and we just pick by chance the Le Blé Noir II at 14 Place Saint Louis. Very friendly, and the waiter had lived in New York and London, so nice expat conversation indeed lol! Michel was a great topic of conversation and the food price/quality was excellent, the bill came to 25,50€ per person including 8 beers Licorne, 2 diabolo menthe drink, one galette chevrette or goat galette and one galette anglaise or English galette with bacon egg and fresh cream, 3 menus of  entrée of fish soup, main dish Hake fish in a white sauce with shrimps, and two scoops of ice cream. Just lovely and a fair price for a chic upper island vacation spot!!

The Noirmoutier island on the Le Blé Noir Créperie resto:  https://www.ile-noirmoutier.com/en/node/16481

The digue or dam all along the canal into the harbor area is lovely and nice plaques announcing historical events abound. This was done by Jean Corneille Jacobsen starting from 1818.  This took an area of about 59 hectares or 146 acres.

There is a lovely square Place Saint Louis where the nice restaurants we ate in one, and lovely architecture. There is a pretty Carrousel ride on the square or Place de la République at Noirmoutier which is grand as there is also a covered market there.

You have a beautiful harbor with the dams as explain in English at the tourist office site. The port is split in two and separated by the Place d’Armes (where the castle is located) : Quai Cassard, named after the ship’s captain, and Quai Jean Bart, descendant of the Jacobsen family, both seafarers at the end of the 17C.

At the harbor and the market you can find the very best from the region and especially the fish and seafood is fresh and abundant beautifully displayed in the stands.More on this culinary discovery which sure will take us back is here in English, webpage: https://www.ile-noirmoutier.com/en/taste/our-local-products.html

The tourist office of Noirmoutier island: https://www.ile-noirmoutier.com/en/noirmoutier-en-lile-historical-center.html

In all a wonderful time in a pretty island off the mainland of the Vendée or Poitou of France; my belle France! Enjoy it as I do everyday! The Île de Noirmoutier is one to come back and just relax around it!! Again, hope you enjoy this post on the Île de Noirmoutier , part II as I !

And remember, happy travels, good health, and many cheers to all !!!