Camping à Saint Hilaire de Riez en Vendée

Vendée and St Hilaire de Riez

The area of St Hilaire de Riez


Sunset on the Atlantic coast: Beautiful sunset by the beach close to Camping Riez à la Vie. Photo : Zigar / Thomas Mc Gowan

The Camping Riez à la vie is set in Saint-Hilaire de Riez in the department of Vendée, a region in west central France by the Atlantic Ocean. Next to the camping there is a beautiful forest, typical of this area and then (at about 1 km) you will find the beach. When it comes to seaside resorts, Vendee is the second most popular tourist destination in France, adjacent to the beautiful Atlantic coastline, this area is endowed with a mild climate and salty air. Vendee is a sparsely populated department, but in the summer the population increases tenfold. This is because the area has a mild climate, 250 km of coastline and sandy beaches, the diversity of stunning landscapes as well as the warm welcome of the natives .

You will find picturesque and lively islands in Vendee:


Island of Noirmoutier: Access via a bridge or the passage of Gois Photo of: Zigar / Thomas Mc Gowan

The Noirmoutier island can be reached via a bridge (like the Ré Island and Oléron island) but also by a tidal causeway called the "passage de Gois", road passable at low tide, either on foot, bike or car, it is flooded twice a day by the high tide – water depths vary from 1 to 4 meters-.

Note: every year in June, a foot race of 4,5 km is held across the Passage du Gois, it starts when the tide is not over ! Often, some competitors reach the goal with water up to their ankles and some of them are forced to swim !


Passage du Gois: Tide in Vendée close to Camping Riez à la Vie. Photo of : Brian


The Ile d’Yeu: The beautiful island of Yeu is close to camping Riez à la Vie Photo of: peculiarity

Yeu island: reached only by helicopter or by ferry from Fromentine or Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie (you can get special rates at the reception of the Camping Riez à la vie). It’s one of those islands sparsely populated (less than 5000 inhabitants), sunny and peaceful, full of wilderness, authenticity and charm. The most visited monument in the island is certainly the church of "Notre Dame de la Bonne Nouvelle" ( Our Lady of Good News), set in the south of the island, at the Port de la Meule, known for a long time as pirate’s lair.


Côte de Lumière nearby the camping Riez à la Vie: Camping Riez à la vie is close to beautiful beach on the Atlantic Coast in Vendée

Visiting Vendee it’s the perfect moment to taste local produce, relax and explore the hinterlands, those who does not like the ocean can discover cities such as:

La Roche-sur-Yon, its glorious historical past during the period best known as "Première Republique" ( First Republic), the Church of St. Louis, outside a neoclassical building but a neogreek interior design, worth visiting.


Sables d’Olonne is a city with 3 ports: Children have fun by the Atlantic coast. Photo : Christophe Alary

Les Sables d’Olonne: Town with three ports (fishing, trade, sailing). This city is famous because of the Vendée Globe, a round-the-world race, you can also admire at least 4 lights.


Puy du Fou in Vendée: Amazing show ! More info at reception of the campsite. Photo of Nath21

One of Vendée’s main attractions, is the historical theme park "Puy du Fou" (hill of the beech): the ideal place for history fans where they can enjoy majestic shows over 23 hectares; featuring professional actors and actresses on a huge outdoor stage telling the story of life in Vendée, from the Gallic war to the 100 years war, it can be described as: imposing, gigantic, amazing! At the reception of the Camping Riez à la vie, you will find more information about opening hours, opening periods and discounts you can get to become spectator of these incredible shows.