A day around Veillon, Bourgenay and Cayola
First day of vacation at Les Ramiers campsite in Longeville sur Mer: explore the Veillon and its sublime panoramas.
At daybreak, we set off on a day of adventure. Make sure you have good shoes, a cap and, if necessary, a picnic. Don’t forget to bring water and sunscreen. Don’t worry, we’re not going to do any difficult routes, so all levels are welcome. The aim is simply to discover and get away from it all.
First of all, I invite you to drive to the Veillon beach in Talmont-Saint-Hilaire. Just half an hour’s drive from your campsite, parking is a breeze. Between marshes, forests, creeks and beaches, Veillon is ready to amaze you with its splendor.
A stopover at Le Veillon to start the day
A must on the Vendée coast, Le Veillon beach awaits you in the morning, or a little later if you prefer to sleep in. This stretch of fine sand and clear water is renowned for its cleanliness. In fact, the Payré estuary on which it is located enjoys the status of a Grand Ensemble Naturel, preserved by the municipality. In 2007, it was awarded the “Site remarquable de Vendée” label, the first of its kind in France. A walk with your feet in the sand will revive your body and mind during this vacation. Take time to admire these miles of fine sand, and recharge your batteries in the great outdoors.
After this sensory experience, let’s take a short walk.
Start by reaching Pointe du Payré. Take a break, enjoy the peaceful surroundings and feel the air caress your face. Then take the path up the Payré river, towards the marshes. Follow these trails to explore the salt marshes and their unique world.
Here, salt is harvested every day of the year, using very physical, ancestral methods. By hand and with their strength, they extract salt from the sea. The daily harvest varies according to the weather and tides. Shaped like combs, these marshes were designed to naturally collect salt directly from seawater, in huge specially designed basins.
Before you leave, you can buy some Vendée salt, or even some of the region’s most famous oysters, at Viviers de la Guittière. The store is open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 9.30am to 1.00pm and 3.00pm to 6.30pm, and on Sunday from 9.30am to 1.00pm. You can also taste them on the spot with lemon, shallot, garlic… There’s something for every taste bud.
After the marshes, you have several options. For the rest of the day, I suggest you head for Bourgenay and then Cayola. You can choose to picnic at Le Veillon, or continue your adventure and enjoy a meal at Port Bourgenay.
Port Bourgenay and its pleasure boats
Since 1985, yachtsmen have been mooring here for a few days or for the season. This 680-berth port is fully booked all year round. Stroll among these magnificent buildings and enjoy the fresh sea air ! A pleasant stroll awaits you.
You’ll also find plenty of bars and restaurants, in case you fancy a break.
Cayola Bay, a stretch of paradise
Between Bourgenay and Les Sables d’Olonne, Baie de Cayola offers a splendid view of the sea and the mainland. The special feature of this side of town is its wilderness character. Indeed, this bay has retained its natural appearance. Without artifice or remodeling, it’s authentic. Enjoy a stroll along the water’s edge.
Between rocks and pebbles, dare to step out onto the sandy beach to lay down your towel. For a few minutes or a few hours, enjoy the moment, the sound of the waves and the sun. Here, you can indulge in all your favorite activities : mölky, sand castles, reading, beach volleyball, soccer, or even sunbathing and napping.
