Pays de Retz
From the south bank of the Loire estuary, where Brittany, the Loire and the Atlantic Ocean meet, the Pays de Retz introduces you to southern Brittany. Around Pornic bay and the large beaches by Saint-Brevin are 52 km of coastline scattered with coves, beaches and small seaside resorts.
On the coast, from Saint-Brevin to La Bernerie-en-Retz through Saint-Michel-Chef-Chef, family-friendly beaches hide in rocky valleys. Fishing huts perch on stilts. Around Préfailles, coves lie before Point Saint-Gildas’ semaphore station and its shore fishing areas. Board and water sports enthusiasts set up near the biggest of the vast stretches of sand, in Tharon or Saint-Brevin-les-Pins.
Several cycling and walking paths alternate blue ocean and green wooded countryside, passing through miles of charming scenery.
Continuing on from the Loire bike path, which meets the ocean at Saint-Brevin, Vélodyssée and Vélocéan join together, crossing picturesque hamlets, pine forests, running alongside megaliths, crowning rocky heights…
In Pornic, the gem of the Jade Coast, the resort area is centred around the old port where traditional fishing boats and sailing boats dock. A promenade runs alongside the quays and terraces to the solid 13th century castle. In the town centre, stairways and lanes wind between fishermen’s cottages.