Saint-Jean-de-Monts, Coastal commune in Vendée, France
Saint-Jean-de-Monts is a coastal town stretching along an 8-kilometer sandy beach on France's Atlantic coast in Vendée. Pine forests border the shoreline and form a natural barrier between the sand and inland areas.
The shift from a fishing village to a seaside destination began in 1867 when the first visitors arrived to bathe. A large forest was established during Napoleon III's reign that remains part of the region's natural wetland areas.
The seafront displays works of art including Henry Murail's creations and memorials honoring local artists Auguste Lepère and Charles Milcendeau. These pieces shape the character of the beach and reflect the connection between artists and this coastal region.
The town has an extensive network of cycling paths connected to the regional Sentiers Cyclables de la Vendée network. Bicycling is a practical way to explore the area and access the beach.
A forest covering around 280 hectares was established under Napoleon III and remains part of the rare Breton-Vendée wetland ecosystem. This woodland creates a distinctive transition between the beach and inland areas that defines the region's natural landscape.
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