LA TRANCHE-SUR-MER ❘ THE VENDÉE
3 THINGS NOT TO MISS • Go surfing, windsurfing, or paddleboarding
• Discover the Réserve Naturelle Nationale de la Belle Henriette
• Explore La Tranche’s 25-mile network of bike trails
Clockwise from this image: La Tranche from the skies; exploring by bike; fun on a
catamaran; the aptly named La Belle Henriette; relax over a drink in La Tranche-sur-Mer; it’s
a great spot for surfing; Le Phare; why not tour with a motorhome?
veil of shade in the summer months. For kids (and big kids too!) who require a bit more entertaining, download the Baludik app, which has various free GPS- programmed games, treasure hunts, and outdoor escape games. Or, if you’re bringing your four-legged family members on vacation, pick up the Toutourisme guide from the Office de Tourisme for a list of dog-friendly spots in La Tranche (bonus for your furry pals: they also have a secret stash of doggy treats behind the counter).
VILLAGE LIFE La Tranche’s tranquil vistas might have you convinced that it’s the sleeping beauty of the Vendée, but this resort changes as quickly as the tides. Visit in spring or autumn (most campsites are open April until September), and you might be lucky enough to have the views to yourself; come in summer and the town’s tiny population of 3,000 swells to more than 40 times that!
August). One of the most rewarding cycling routes takes you out to the Réserve naturelle nationale de la Belle Henriette, a 337ha expanse of protected beaches and marshes set around a natural saltwater lagoon. Most of the land is off-limits to walkers and cyclists, but the 130m-long footbridge that traverses the lagoon affords bird-watching and spectacular views that transform with the tides. Stroll to the end to reach one of La Tranche’s most beautiful beaches and views that extend out to the islands of neighbouring Charente-Maritime. To wander further, choose from more than 25 miles of cycling trails, or enjoy a scenic stretch of the GR8 hiking trail in the Forêt domaniale de Longeville – the towering pine trees provide a welcome
The summer bustle merely adds to the charm of the Centre-Ville, where the tight-knit streets and white-painted houses feel a world away from the more built-up skylines of the Vendée’s other resorts. With the crowds come a host of seasonal festivals and festivities, a lively market (Tuesdays and Saturdays) and summer night market (Mondays and Fridays), and daily boat cruises that set out from the central pier to the Île de Ré and Île d’Aix islands, Fort Boyard and the Vieux Port of La Rochelle.
Beyond the ocean views and outdoor activities, La Tranche also harbours a few surprises. Follow the forest trail from the Dune de Paris, and you’ll find an adventure playground hidden among the trees; slip into the garden of the Maison Guieau, and you’ll find a little-known picnic spot with views over the beach below; or head to the Parc des Floralies, which has pony rides, beehives, and farmyard animals, just minutes from
town. But shhh, don’t tell everyone! ■ • Further information: www.
latranchesurmer-tourisme.co.uk
Feb/Mar 2023 FRANCE TODAY ❘ 125
IMAGES © JULIEN GAZEAU, FREDERIC FLAMEN, ALEXANDRE LAMOUREUX, FARID MAKHLOUF, OT LA TRANCHE-SUR-MER
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