Noirmoutier - the island of mimosa

Noirmoutier - the island of mimosa – main image

You can get to the French Noirmoutier by a bridge and the Passage du Gois - a road that disappears under the water twice a day. It is an 18 km long island of oaks, mimosa, dunes and salt marshes.

In 1993, Christian Dior introduced a new fragrance to the world. More than 20 years have passed since then, and Dune still holds a high position in the perfume world, outclassing the banal fragrances of one season. As the name suggests, it smells like sand dunes and sea breeze, salty as sand and a bit sad. The classically elegant bottle captures the scent of the place where the sea meets the cloudy sky.

Noirmoutier microclimate

Where does this olfactory vision come from? "Dune" literally means a dune. Its remarkable aroma is associated with a walk on the beach for a reason. The sea breeze has its own unique scent - different on the northern sea, different on the southern sea. The gust of wind on the French coast of Vendée , on which the island of Noirmoutier is located, smells very special. Its microclimate is used by people suffering from respiratory diseases and all those who want to cleanse the body and mind.

In the past, Noirmoutier was separated from the mainland by a causeway. It was only accessible at low tide. Today it is connected "with civilization" by a bridge, which contributed to the growing interest in the island. The influx of tourists has brought changes to Noirmoutier, but fortunately they have not lost its character, it has not lost its charm and atmosphere.

The island of swamps and dunes

Noirmoutier is 18 km long, with less than 0.5 km in the narrowest point, and 12 km in the widest point. Its landscape consists of dunes, salt marshes and sandy beaches. Many species of birds live in the wetlands, attracting ornithology enthusiasts.

The island's largest town is Noirmoutier-en-l'Ile , which houses the ruins of a monastery and the castle Château de Noirmoutier. The remaining towns are small and their inhabitants make their living mainly from tourism, agriculture and fishing. Their houses have red roofs and whitewashed walls against which lush hollyhocks look picturesque.

Mimosa Island

It is worth getting to know all the corners of the island. In L'Anse Rouge we find a rugged rocky beach. In the Bois de la Chaise - a pine forest, the optimistic yellow of the colicolette flowers and the delicacy of mimosa to which Noirmoutier owes its common name. In warm climates, they even bloom in winter.

The mimosa island is crossed by dozens of narrow streets, such as Boulevard de l'Ocean , ending with a romantic spot with a bench overlooking the sea. You can contemplate the landscape in peace.

Camping Campeole la Grande Cote4.jpg

Campsite on Noirmoutier

A great advantage of this part of the Vendée is the number of beds. Campéole la Grande Côte is on the mainland, a campsite that offers hospitality from 04/04 to 21/09. The center of La Barre-de-Monts is approximately 1.5 km away and the ferry terminal to Île d'Yeu is approximately 400 meters away. Two adults will spend the night at the campsite for about PLN 74-107, depending on the season. The price includes a place for a car with a trailer or a camper and access to electricity.

People who want to stay on the island itself will also have no problem finding a suitable place. The guests await, among others 5-star camping le caravan'île or smaller: Camping La Frandiere or Camping Du Midi .

Anyone who loves nature and wants to enjoy it in silence will enjoy their stay in this region of France. You can go fishing for hours, get to know the charms of the coast during long walks, and spend your time more actively - sailing, kayaking or kitesurfing. In such a place we will rest, no matter what way we choose.

Noirmoutier - the island of mimosa – image 1
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Ken.G
Ken.G

A writer by profession, a passion of a cat. One day he will see what is behind the Urals - good to Vladivostok. So far, when he can, he enjoys the sun of the countries of southern Europe. And it's also fun;)

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Atlantic Pyrenees - the treasure of (two) nations – image 1
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Atlantic Pyrenees - the treasure of (two) nations
The Atlantic Pyrenees, also known as the Western Pyrenees, is a beautiful department in the southwest of France. It is made up of the historic province of Béarn and the French part of the Basque Country, and its prefecture is the city of Pau. As a cross-border mountain range located on the border between Spain and France, the Atlantic Pyrenees are quite a tourist attraction - a strong point on the map of Europe for all lovers of raw nature and active recreation. For some, the range resembles the Alps a bit (due to limestone ridges and deep valleys), and among the many advantages of the region are the abundance of forests and the number of generally accessible shelters and huts. It is impossible to ignore the freedom of camping and lighting fires. A tourist who has decided to spend a vacation in the Atlantic Pyrenees will feel fully connected with nature. Both the French and Spanish parts of the range are geologically and biologically diverse. In the north, deciduous forests predominate, many of which have their original character - the last representatives of the Pyrenean bears can be found there. In turn, the southern part, due to better sunlight, is covered with more species of thermophilic flora, and conifers are dominant among trees. Compared to the northern part, there are also more pastures here. The villages are located at the foot of the mountains and in the lower parts of the valleys. The main tourist traffic is concentrated under the Pierre Saint Martin passes (Arette la Pierre Saint Martin resort) and Somport (Candanchu resort). In other parts of the region, it is rather small, so visitors can enjoy a comfortable contact with nature. The downside of hiking along this range is poor marking of the routes, which can be difficult for inexperienced tourists, as is the lack of signposts at some trail crossings.