Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie, Coastal commune in Vendée, France.
Description
Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie is a commune on the Atlantic coast in Vendée, stretching along the mouth of the Vie River. The settlement connects a fishing harbor on one side with sandy beaches and residential districts on the other side of the river.
History
The two original settlements grew together over the centuries around fishing and trade with the sea. The harbor was expanded several times and remains today an active landing point for fishing boats from the Bay of Biscay.
Culture
The commune's name comes from two former settlements joined by a bridge across the Vie. Visitors today see market halls along the harbor quay, where fishermen mend their nets in the morning and gulls circle above the ship cranes.
Practical
The beaches lie mostly south of the harbor, while the town center concentrates north of the bridge. Guests can walk along the quay to watch the boats arrive, especially in the morning.
Did you know?
The quay wall bears memorial plaques for lost fishing boats that disappeared at sea since the 19th century. In the harbor area stand old stone warehouses once used for salt and canned goods.
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Grande Plage
1.6 km
Église Saint-Gilles de Saint-Gilles-sur-Vie
881 m
Phare de Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie
226 m
Tour Joséphine
310 m
Menhir de la Tonnelle
474 m
Plage de Boisvinet
833 m
La Belle Epoque
706 m
Manège Eden Baby Park
310 m
Église Sainte-Croix de Croix-de-Vie
360 mScenic viewpoint
560 mGalerie de Peinture
881 mGraffiti, Work of art
1.1 kmLa Pelle à Porteau
1.2 kmEspace Charles Atamian
911 mGallery
929 mStatue, Work of art
422 mStatue, Work of art
394 mStatue, Work of art
506 mGraffiti, Work of art
260 mPetite plage
349 mGraffiti, Work of art
549 mScenic viewpoint
1.1 kmMemorial
1.1 kmPierre Garcie Ferrande
765 mStatue, memorial
727 mMemorial
1.1 kmWayside cross
426 mCannon
182 mDiscover hidden gems everywhere you go!
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