guide
With its long beaches fringed by dunes and pine forests, Vendée offers naturists fine open spaces, often away from the resorts. Several stretches of beach have traditionally been frequented without swimwear, from the north of the department down to the Pointe d’Arçay in the south.
Where to find the naturist beaches of Vendée, which ones to choose, which rules to follow and where to stay at a naturist campsite: here is our guide.
| Beach | In brief |
|---|---|
| Sauveterre, Les Sables-d’Olonne | Stretch between Sauveterre and Les Granges, in the Olonne forest |
| La Terrière, La Tranche-sur-Mer | Large wild beach, one of the most frequented naturist sites in the department |
| Pointe d’Arçay, La Faute-sur-Mer | Isolated beach in the south of the department |
| North Vendée | Sectors of Notre-Dame-de-Monts and La Barre-de-Monts |
| Precaution | Bathing rarely supervised, strong currents and waves |
North of Les Sables-d’Olonne, the Olonne state forest borders a wild coast of dunes and sand. Between the beaches of Sauveterre and Les Granges, a stretch has traditionally been reserved for naturism during the summer season. You reach it on foot along the forest paths. The beach is exposed to swell, so bathing calls for great caution.
In the south of the department, between Longeville-sur-Mer and La Tranche-sur-Mer, the La Terrière beach, at the foot of the Longeville forest, is one of the most frequented naturist sites in Vendée. Further south still, the Pointe d’Arçay, at La Faute-sur-Mer, offers an isolated beach at the mouth of the Lay, in a preserved natural setting.
On the Monts coast, long beaches bordered by the state forest stretch between Notre-Dame-de-Monts and La Barre-de-Monts. Some sectors away from the main access points are frequented by naturists. As elsewhere, check the boundaries in force before settling in.
Naturism is tolerated on identified stretches of beach, sometimes marked by signs and governed by municipal orders, often for the summer season only. Boundaries can change from one year to the next: contact the town halls or tourist offices. On site, settle away from the textile family areas, take no photos and stay on the marked paths to protect the dunes.
Vendée’s naturist beaches are often located outside supervised zones. The coast is exposed to swell and currents: never swim alone, stay close to the shore in rough sea and never fight a current. Our tips for choosing your naturist beach complement this guide.
In the south of Vendée, at Saint-Martin-Lars-en-Sainte-Hermine, the Le Colombier naturist campsite welcomes naturists in peace, in the Vendée countryside, about three-quarters of an hour from the beaches of La Tranche-sur-Mer and the Marais poitevin. You can also find all our naturist campsites in Vendée and our guides to the naturist beaches of Oléron and La Rochelle, all nearby.
Vendée offers naturism in wide open spaces, on wild beaches backed by forests. La Terrière and Sauveterre are the best-known addresses, the Pointe d’Arçay the most isolated. Check the boundaries for the year, stay cautious in the face of the ocean and stay quietly at a naturist campsite in the south of Vendée.
Campsites marked “Partner” are Aimer Camper members and are shown first. All results match your search.