Noirmoutier

The island of Noirmoutier (pop. 5,001), to the south of the Loire estuary, is 19km/12mi long and up to 7km/4.5mi across. At low tide it can be reached by car on the Passage du Gois, a causeway which is under water at high tide; there is a ferry service from Pornic; and at the south end of the island there is a bridge connecting it with the mainland. An important contribution to the island's economy is made by its extensive salt-pans, in which salt is obtained from seawater by evaporation. There are also oyster-beds in its shallow coastal waters.

At the north end of the island is its chief town, Noirmoutier- en-l'Ile, which has a small harbor. There is a small well- preserved castle, part of which dates from the 12th C. It is possible to walk around the wall-walk, from which there are fine views of the harbor and the salt-pans. In the keep is a small museum (minerals, stuffed birds, naval history, English faience, etc.). The Romanesque and Gothic church of St- Philibert originally belonged to a Benedictine abbey; under the choir is a 12th C. crypt.

On the harbor is an aquarium, with fish and other marine fauna from local waters.

Popular with holidaymakers are the Bois de la Chaize, a 60 hectare/150 acre area of woodland, and the Plage des Dames, a beach of fine sand with the Promenade des Souzaux, from which there are views of the "Jade Coast". On the southwest coast there are other beaches of fine sand.