The Grande Plage de Sion is a captivating beach located in Saint-Hilaire-de-Riez, a resort town on the Vendée coast in France. It possesses one of the longest coastlines on the Atlantic, extending over 12 kilometers of sandy beach and 3 kilometers of rocky coastline. The beach is divided into different sections, each distinguished by its own name and unique characteristics.
Grande Plage de Sion is known for its appealing waves and is accessible to everyone, including wheelchair users, people with reduced mobility, and cyclists. Its natural charm and range of activities continue to attract visitors, despite recent challenges such as an increase in algae.
The first section, Plage des Demoiselles 1, is a long sandy beach known for pignons fishing at low tide and swimming at high tide. It is equipped with free parking and sanitary facilities. Lifeguards monitor this section during the months of July and August for safety.
The second section, Plage des Demoiselles 2, offers a variety of activities including pignons fishing, sandcastle building, surfing, kite-surfing, and other water sports. It also has a nautical base for supervised activities like sand yachting.
Plage des 60 Bornes is a family-friendly sandy beach, while Plage des Salins is a peaceful sandy beach ideal for relaxing. Plage des Becs is a tranquil beach that provides access to the ocean for people with disabilities, and Plage des Mouettes is a secure beach for family enjoyment. Both these beaches offer free parking and are monitored by lifeguards during July and August.
Plage de la Pège, Plage de la Parée Préneau and Plage de Riez are other sections that are family-friendly and suitable for kite enthusiasts. They all have free parking and are monitored during July and August.
The beach located in the heart of the resort, Grande Plage de Sion, offers a wide range of amenities. It has a nautical base for boat rentals and equipment for activities like sailing, kayaking, and stand-up paddleboarding. A beach club for children and a beach library for the whole family are also available, as well as swimming lessons and group classes in a pool located behind the lifeguard station.
Finally, Plage des Cinq Pineaux is a small cove that forms a natural pool at low tide, suitable for children to play safely and explore seashells. Plages des Bussoleries is a friendly sandy cove where families can enjoy a natural pool at low tide. La Pelle-à -Porteau is a small cove at the foot of the Vendée Corniche, surrounded by rocks and ideal for fishing.
In summary, the Grande Plage de Sion in Saint-Hilaire-de-Riez offers a variety of beaches with different amenities and activities for visitors to enjoy. Despite the recent increase in algae and space limitations for bathers due to sailboats, the beach continues to be a popular destination for both locals and tourists.
