In this guide (9 sections)
- At a glance
- Les Demoiselles: two slipways and a watersports centre
- From the 60 Bornes to the Becs: kitesurfing and lookout posts
- Les Mouettes and La Pège: two family-friendly beaches
- La Parée Préneau and Riez: kites and beach games
- Sion beach: the closest to the campsite
- Cinq Pineaux, Bussoleries, Pelle-à-Porteau: the coves of the Corniche
- Lifeguards and animals in Saint-Hilaire-de-Riez: the 2026 rules
- Your questions about the beaches of Saint-Hilaire-de-Riez
Every Saint-Hilaire-de-Riez beach lies along 10 km of fine sand. Further south, the Corniche vendéenne adds another 3 km of rocky coastline. This Vendée town has 13 beaches, from the boundary with Saint-Jean-de-Monts to the coves in the south. In 2026, six lifeguard posts kept watch over swimmers from 4 July to 28 August. As of 9 October 2026, eleven sites have excellent bathing water quality, and the twelfth is rated sufficient. From Flower Camping Au Bois des Biches in Saint-Hilaire-de-Riez, the nearest beach is at Sion-sur-l’Océan. It’s about 5 km away, compared with 13 km for the furthest ones.
Key points to remember
| Things to do | Beach |
|---|---|
| Surfing and watersports centre | Les Demoiselles |
| Kitesurfing and a calm atmosphere | Les Salins |
| Dog-friendly area all year round, in the south | Les Mouettes |
| Kites and beach games | Riez |
| Kids’ club, 5 km from the campsite | Sion |
| Natural rock pools and shore fishing | The southern coves |
Les Demoiselles: two slipways and a watersports centre
At the northern end, on the Saint-Jean-de-Monts side, Demoiselles beach stretches out in a long ribbon of fine sand. The beach has two access points, Cale B and Cale D. By Cale B, the foreshore is a good spot for fishing for pignons (small clams) at low tide. Beach cabins and tents can be rented on site. Cale D is home to a watersports centre, where surfing, stand-up paddleboarding and sand yachting are supervised by instructors. Our guide to hiring a stand-up paddleboard gives more details about these activities and their prices.
Visitors’ favourite
Sand yachting at Cale D, an area the local council considers ideal for trying out this activity.
Practical information
- Supervised swimming in July and August, from 11:00 to 19:00
- Free toilets and car park, with equipment adapted for disabled visitors
- No animals allowed from 15 May to 15 September
- About 13 km from the campsite, around a 15-minute drive
From the 60 Bornes to the Becs: kitesurfing and lookout posts
Further south, the town presents the 60 Bornes beach as ideal for families. Its neighbour, Salins beach, stays quiet. A kitesurfing zone stretches between Salins and the next beach. As neither has a lifeguard station, a lookout post keeps watch over them in July and August. A lifeguard is on duty there from 14:30 to 19:00. A little further on, Becs beach has a lifeguard station and the Handiplage label. Its equipment, a Tiralo and a Hippocampe, helps people with reduced mobility.
Visitors’ favourite
Kitesurfing sails off the coast at Salins, in an area set aside for the sport.
Practical information
- Free parking at each beach, toilets at Becs
- Dogs allowed at Salins and the neighbouring beach from 20:00 to 10:00, from mid-May to mid-September
- No animals allowed on the third beach from 15 March to 15 September
- About 10 to 11 km from the campsite
Les Mouettes and La Pège: two family-friendly beaches
In the middle of the coastline, both beaches have a lifeguard station and toilets. A Hippocampe amphibious wheelchair also makes access easier for people with reduced mobility. Mouettes beach, which holds the Handiplage label, is home to the dog-friendly area. This 200-metre stretch of sand is 300 metres south of Mouettes. Dogs are welcome here all year round, at any time of day, as long as they are kept on a lead. Its neighbour, Pège beach, allows dogs from 20:00 to 10:00, from mid-May to mid-September.
Visitors’ favourite
The stretch of sand reserved for dogs, open all year round with no time restrictions.
Practical information
- Supervised swimming from 11:00 to 19:00 in July and August
- Free parking at each beach
- Animals not allowed on the northern part of the first beach from 15 March to 15 September
- About 9 km from the campsite, and 7 km for the second
La Parée Préneau and Riez: kites and beach games
Further south, these two neighbouring beaches each have a summer lookout post, but no lifeguard station. The first beach has an area where kite flying is permitted. Riez beach brings together beach games fans and kite flyers, with an area set aside for the latter. For animals, it all depends on the blockhaus. To the north, on the Parée Préneau side, they are allowed from 20:00 to 10:00, from mid-May to mid-September. To the south, on the resort side, they are not allowed from 15 May to 15 September.
Visitors’ favourite
Kites fly above the beach, in the two areas set aside for them.
Practical information
- Free parking at every beach
- Lifeguard supervision from 14:30 to 19:00 in July and August
- Water quality rated excellent in 2026 at every beach
- Around 7 and 5 km from the campsite
Sion beach: the closest to the campsite
Located in the heart of the resort, this beach is about 5 km from the campsite. It takes less than 10 minutes to get there by car. Facilities and activities are concentrated here. A water sports centre hires out dinghies, catamarans, kayaks and stand-up paddleboards. A beach club welcomes children aged 3 to 12. A beach library and the Handiplage label round things off. As of 9 October 2026, the French ministry rates the water at this beach as sufficient for 2026, up from insufficient in 2025. Of the 12 samples taken this summer, 11 were good.
Visitors’ favourite
The swimming pool behind the beach lifeguard post, where swimming lessons are given.
Practical information
- Supervised swimming in July and August, from 11:00 to 19:00
- Free toilets and parking
- Tiralo, Hippocampe and access platform
- No animals allowed from 15 May to 15 September
Cinq Pineaux, Bussoleries, Pelle-à-Porteau: the coves of the Corniche
Located south of the resort, the Corniche vendéenne rises in rocky outcrops facing the ocean. Three coves nestle along it, about 6 km from the campsite.
Cinq Pineaux beach forms a small cove. At low tide, a natural pool appears. Its neighbour, Bussoleries beach, has a lifeguard post and a natural pool. Pelle-à-Porteau beach, at the foot of the rocks, is a good spot for shore fishing. Swimming is not supervised there. The coastal path has its own dedicated article: the Corniche and Cinq Pineaux walk.
Visitors’ favourite
The natural pool that forms with the tides at Cinq Pineaux.
Practical information
- No animals allowed from 15 May to 15 September
- A lookout on the first beach, a lifeguard post on the second
- Water rated excellent in 2026 at both sites
- Free parking and toilets at Bussoleries
Lifeguards and animals in Saint-Hilaire-de-Riez: the 2026 rules
In 2026, the full supervision service ran from 4 July to 28 August, from 11:00 to 19:00. Six posts and five alert points covered the coastline. Outside the supervised area and hours, everyone swims at their own risk. The 2027 dates have not yet been published.
| 2026 rule | Details |
|---|---|
| Partial supervision | 20–21 and 27–28 June, 29–30 August, 5–6 September, at three posts |
| Dogs: 20:00 to 10:00 | Five sites, from 15 May to 15 September |
| Tobacco | Banned during the bathing season, fixed fine of €135 |
As of 9 October 2026, 11 of the 12 sites monitored by the Ministry of Health are rated excellent. None of the town’s beaches is among the Blue Flag 2026 winners. However, three beaches hold the Handiplage label.
The page on the beaches of Saint-Hilaire-de-Riez publishes this year’s official order. Close to the coast, our campsite in Vendée near the sea offers mobile homes, chalets and pitches.
A tip from the campsite team
The three coves to the south are best explored at low tide, with their rock pools. Tide times are available on the town’s website.
Your questions about the beaches of Saint-Hilaire-de-Riez
How many beaches does the town have?
13 beaches along 13 km of coastline. They stretch from Les Demoiselles to La Pelle-à-Porteau.
Which beaches are supervised in summer?
Six beaches, from Les Demoiselles to Les Bussoleries, have a lifeguard station. In 2026, it operated from 4 July to 28 August. Five others have a lifeguard lookout in the afternoon.
Where can I go to the beach with a dog?
In the dedicated area, south of Les Mouettes, all year round. From 15 May to 15 September, five other sites allow dogs from 20:00 to 10:00.
Is the water quality good?
Yes, 11 out of 12 sites are rated excellent in 2026. The resort beach is rated sufficient.
Which beach is closest to Flower Camping Au Bois des Biches?
Sion beach, about 5 km away. The southern coves and Riez beach are 5 or 6 km away.
Who wrote this article?
Article written by the team at Camping Au Bois des Biches, a 4-star campsite in Saint-Hilaire-de-Riez, Vendée. Information checked on 9 October 2026 with the town council, the tourist office and the Ministry of Health. Rules may change each year. Sources consulted:
- Saint-Hilaire-de-Riez town council, The beaches (sainthilairederiez.fr)
- Pays de Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie Tourist Office, Relax and enjoy our 20 beaches (payssaintgilles-tourisme.fr)
- Ministry of Health, Bathing water quality, 2026 classifications consulted on 9 October 2026 (baignades.sante.gouv.fr)
- Blue Flag, Certified sites 2026 (pavillonbleu.org)
