Saint Gilles Croix de Vie in Vendée
Situated on the Atlantic coast, along the Côte de Lumière, this seaside resort is appreciated for its mild climate, its art of living, its marina, its water sports activities, its “Blue Flag” beaches, its fishing port renowned for its Red Label sardine fishing and its many events.
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Birthplace of the Bénéteau shipyards, Saint Gilles Croix de Vie is a mecca for yachting. Located in the heart of Saint Gilles Croix de Vie, the Port La Vie marina offers all the advantages of a successful stopover: a deep-water, sheltered harbor in an environment with top-quality facilities.
In Saint Gilles Croix de Vie, you’ll find plenty to occupy your days: beach clubs, water sports, walks, bike rides, horseback riding, golf, casino, bar-pubs…
Saint Gilles Croix de Vie, a family resort par excellence, has always paid particular attention to children. As proof of its commitment, the town has been awarded the Family label.
The resort offers a varied program of festivities and highlights throughout the year, with several festivals: Saint Jazz sur Vie, La Déferlante street festival… Traditional festivals: Sardine Festival, Port Festival, Village des Saveurs…
Places not to be missed in St Gilles Croix de Vie
La Maison des Écrivains de la Mer: This literary site features a library and reading room dedicated to maritime literature. Facing the open sea, it is also an exhibition space where you can meet the adventurers of the seas. La Maison du Pêcheur is a recreation of a 1920s interior. This former fisherman’s house comprises two rooms and a courtyard. It features furniture, utensils and clothing from the period, as well as temporary exhibitions on fishing and local life.
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Les Rimajures, espace Henry Simon: Formerly the studio of Vendée painter Henry Simon, la bourrine has become an exhibition and memorial site for the artist’s work. Numerous reproductions, showcases and archive documents take you on a journey to the heart of his work. It’s also a place to relax in the gardens and store dedicated to the painter.
The Tour Joséphine is a vestige of one of the oldest maritime structures in the port of Saint Gilles Croix de Vie. It was the Cité’s first lighthouse. On January 20, 1837, 16 harbour masters formulated the first official request for the establishment of a harbour light that could be seen from 2 or 3 leagues out to sea and placed at the end of the Môle de Croix de Vie. It marked the entrance to the port until 1875. The tower was then used as a depot for Ponts et Chaussées explosives, hence the name “Dynamite Tower”. The tower is named after the Empress.
