In Longeville-sur-Mer, plains, marshland and forest meet; the forest borders a 7.2-kilometre sandy coastline. This makes it easy to tailor your stay to different interests: from the beach and water sports to forest trails and exploring the Marais Poitevin. The town also has historic sites to discover.
Sandy Coast and Water Sports
Along the 7.2 kilometres of sandy beach, you can swim, sunbathe, fish from the shore and enjoy a range of water sports. At Plage du Bouil, there is a designated area for kitesurfing. There is also a navigation channel between access points 2 and 3, where various water sports are possible. So those interested in kitesurfing will find a dedicated area, while the channel caters to a broader range of water sports.
Plage du Rocher is designated as a Handiplage and has facilities that provide access to the water. During the season, a Handiplagiste can assist people with reduced mobility into the water using a Tiralo. At Plage des Conches, the ForĂŞt domaniale and its high dunes shape the surroundings. The beach is known for surfing; farther south is the surf spot also known as Bud Bud.
Forest, Cycling Route and Trails
The Forêt domaniale de Longeville-sur-Mer is home to a diverse range of flora and fauna. Its dune environment is home to many species, some of them rare and protected. Longeville-sur-Mer is also a member municipality of the Parc interrégional du Marais poitevin. The forest and marshland add their own natural attractions to the coastal landscape.
Three walking trails run through the Forêt domaniale between Plage du Rocher and Plage des Conches. They range from 1.3 to 10.6 kilometres in length. For cyclists, Longeville-sur-Mer is a stop on the Vélodyssée, an Atlantic cycling route of more than 1,200 kilometres from Roscoff to Hendaye. At the Plage des Conches car park, there is a place to take a break with a view of the ocean and check your cycling equipment. Three permanent treasure hunts also cover the municipality, offering another way to explore the area.
Explore the Marais Poitevin by Boat
From the Maison du Marais, visitors can independently explore a three-kilometre route through the characteristic landscapes of the Marais Poitevin by barque or canoe. Information panels accompany the route, which takes an average of one to one and a quarter hours. This makes it a well-defined activity to factor into your day’s plans. Visitor services are seasonal; check current visitor dates and opening hours before your trip.
A barque or canoe trip from the Maison du Marais landing stage also lets you pass beneath the Pont de la Pépière. The bridge is more than 200 years old. The tour thus combines exploring the marshland with experiencing a historic structure from the water.
Menhir and Historic Church
The Menhir du Russelet is a striking sandstone monument: it is 3.80 metres high, 2.80 metres wide and 1.30 metres thick, and weighs about 26 tonnes.
The parish church also has a long history. The former priory church of Notre-Dame was first mentioned in 1195, when it was a dependency of the Abbaye Sainte-Croix de Talmont. Today, it is the parish church of Longeville-sur-Mer. The distinction between its former role and its current designation illustrates the building’s historical transformation.
Discover more destinations: Brem-Sur-Mer, Beauvoir-Sur-Mer, Mouzeuil-Saint-Martin, Saint-Martin-De-Fraigneau, La Verrie, Oulmes, Antigny, Saint-Paul-Mont-Penit.
For the broader travel overview: Vendée.
