Noirmoutier-en-l’Ile – Introduction

Noirmoutier-en-l’Ile is a small village on the island of Noirmoutier in the region of “Pays de la Loire”. Located below Brittany the island is a popular summer holiday destination for the French.

The village, with its 4800 inhabitants, lies on the Northern part of the Noirmoutier island. The island itself is located in the Atlantic ocean.

The island is known for gastronomy. Not really for its high class restaurants, but for its very, very expensive potatoes! One kilo of the “La Bonnotte” potatoes fetches some €500. The potatoes are handpicked, and grown with seaweed, giving it a distinct flavour.

The Buildings

The buildings in Noirmoutier-en-l’Ile are all low, a ground floor, a first floor and an attic. Walking in this village, you feel like you are walking in a Mediterranean village. The island is flat, so walking is not a problem.

Sainte-Marie-Euphrasie chapel

One of the most visible buildings in the village is the Chateau de Noirmoutier. An imposing castle:

Click here to read our review of the castle.

Another but obvious set of buildings in the village are the churches. One in particular can be found next to the castle:

The church is named after Saint Philbert who founded a monastery here in the year 674. The original church was destroyed several times over the next centuries due to invasions, wars and fires. The current church was consecrated in 1849.

Shops and Restaurants

You’ll find plenty of small shops, not so many High Street brands, when walking through these small streets.

There are even a few pedestrian streets with shops catering for the hiker and camping crowds.

Since it’s a touristy village, as you’d expect, there are many restaurants in town. From cheap places to moderate ones

Marshes

The island is also known for its extensive marshes. A Dutchman is credited with placing canals inside the island, permitting sail ships to enter the island while preserving the salt marshes.

The area is a natural preserve where bird spotters from all over the world convene to look at the many different bird species.

Conclusion

The Noirmoutier-en-l’Ile village and the Noirmoutier are worth a visit, even if it’s for a short time. The area outside the village is scenic, and walking the village discovering the shops, buildings and many restaurants can be rewarding.

Do try to stay there during lunch or dinner, since there are some specialities that are worth it (coming shortly in a separate article on tips for the village).

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