Les Moutiers-en-Retz is the southernmost town on the Loire-Atlantique coast. If you travel along the entire Atlantic coast of Loire-Atlantique from north to south, Les Moutiers-en-Retz is the last town you’ll come across before entering the Vendée. This geographical position gives it a slightly milder climate and a special atmosphere, on the border between historic Brittany (Pays de Retz) and the Pays de la Loire.
Camping near Les Moutiers-en-Retz: breathe, explore, enjoy!
Here, vacations are spent between ocean, marsh and vineyards. From our campsite near Les Moutiers-en-Retz, located in Saint-Brévin-les-Pins, some thirty kilometers away, you have easy access to family-friendly beaches, cycle paths and wine-growing hillsides where Muscadet-Côtes-de-Grandlieu grapes flourish. With its spacious pitches, fully-equipped rental accommodation, swimming pool and summer entertainment, the 4-star Camping Paradis Les Rochelets offers a friendly setting in which to relax, explore Les Moutiers and savor the iodized air of the Côte de Jade.
Beaches and coastline: where to swim, where to walk
With over 6 km of coastline, the coastline alternates between sandy coves and tidal flats. The Pré-Vincent beach is supervised in summer, which is very convenient for children. Further north, Plage de l’Hermitage is appreciated for its tranquility. However, swimming is only possible at high tide. Plage de Lyarne, nestled on the Collet dune, offers an unobstructed view of the Baie de Bourgneuf, with its changing light, broad horizon and typical fisheries.
Port du Collet: memories of salt and oysters
Born in the Middle Ages at the mouth of the Falleron, the port has long shipped salt and products from the Breton marshes. In the 19th century, it was the home of the “gabares”, and today,oyster farming is the mainstay of the landscape. A stroll along the pontoons takes you past the region’s typical “carrelets” on stilts. In season, restaurants and shacks around the harbour offer a taste of the local iodine after the stroll.
Town heritage: Saint-Pierre church and lantern of the dead
Located in the center of Les Moutiers,Saint-Pierre church retains its Romanesque masonry (11th century), which was altered in subsequent centuries. The large carved wooden altarpiece dates from 1674, while the present bell tower was built in the 19th century (1853). Nearby is a lantern for the dead, a rare medieval vestige on the Côte de Jade and the only one still in use in Loire-Atlantique.
Breton marshes: walks and observation
Les Moutiers-en-Retz is part of the Marais Breton-Vendéen, shaped by the historic saltworks. On foot or by bike, there are easy routes along étiers and pastured meadows. Depending on the season, you’ll be able to spot many water birds : herons, spoonbills, avocets, shelducks, black-tailed godwits and egrets. Don’t forget your binoculars! Nature-lovers can discover the Lyarne marsh, a vast wetland of over 900 hectares that illustrates the delicate balance between human activity and preserved biodiversity in the Pays de Retz.
Vineyards and Muscadet: a terroir to discover
On the outskirts of town, the wine-growing hillsides of Moutiers-en-Retz are a reminder that vines have been part of the landscape since medieval times. Parcels of melon de Bourgogne (Muscadet grape variety) and folle blanche (Gros-Plant) stretch between marshes and sandy hillsides. Classified as AOC Muscadet-Côtes-de-Grandlieu, these dry white wines are the perfect accompaniment to oysters and seafood from the Bay of Bourgneuf.
Several local wineries, such as Domaine des Sylphes, open their doors to visitors, offering tastings and direct sales. This is an opportunity to understand how the proximity of the ocean and marshes influences the freshness and minerality of the wines. A perfect way to round off your camping holiday in Loire-Atlantique, between nature walks and local discoveries.
By bike: Vélodyssée and local loops
The Port du Collet marks a link between the Vélodyssée (EV1) and loops combining coast and marsh. An easy route links Port des Champs to Bouin, in the heart of the polders, with wetland flora and fauna (saltwort, bulrushes). To the north, the coastal cycle route leads to La Bernerie and Pornicwith day trips from the campsite.
Walking trails: coastal path and GR8
From the wild coast to the rocky plateau of La Bernerie, the Moutiers coastal path offers walkers a varied itinerary. The seaside is covered by marked sections that join the GR8 between Saint-Michel-Chef-Chef and Les Moutiers-en-Retz. With flat stretches, sea views and regular access to the beaches, it’s easy to put together a 1 to 3-hour walk, even with an all-terrain baby carriage on the marked sections. Tip: set off at slack water to observe the foreshore and carrelets up close.
The Moutiers market
In the heart of the village, the Moutiers-en-Retz market enlivens the church square all year round on Saturday mornings, and also on Thursdays in summer. Fruit, vegetables, oysters, Beillevaire cheeses and salt from the Mareil saltworks make up the colorful stalls. The friendly atmosphere, local produce and convenience stores make this a popular gourmet stopover for holidaymakers.
4-star Les Rochelets campsite near Moutiers-en-Retz
Just 30 kilometers away, our campsite near Les Moutiers-en-Retz welcomes families and holidaymakers in search of relaxation. With its heated indoor swimming pool, summer entertainment and fully-equipped accommodation, our Paradis Les Rochelets campsite in Saint-Brévin-les-Pins combines comfort with a friendly atmosphere. Located close to the ocean, it’s a convenient base for exploring the Pays de Retz and Côte de Jade.