Every summer, the Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie night market brings the harbourside to life from Tuesday to Saturday, from 20:00 to midnight. Set up on place du Vieux Port and place du Marché aux Herbes, this craft market brings together makers and artisans, with free entry. It’s the perfect evening outing after the beach, mixing a relaxed stroll with a little browsing. To find out more, our 4-star campsite in Saint-Hilaire-de-Riez tells you everything: where to find it, when to go and how to enjoy a different market every evening of the week!
The night market at a glance
| Details | Practical information |
|---|---|
| Location | Place du Vieux Port and place du Marché aux Herbes |
| Days | In summer, Tuesday to Saturday |
| Opening hours | From 20:00 to midnight (times may vary from evening to evening) |
| Type | Craft market with makers and artisans |
| Access | Free entry |
| Nearby | A night market every evening in the Saint-Gilles area |
A craft night market by the harbour
The Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie night market takes place by the water, on place du Vieux Port and place du Marché aux Herbes.
This event showcases local artisans and makers, with crafts that are both traditional and contemporary.
You’ll enjoy wandering freely between the stalls, with no entry fee, in the gentle atmosphere of a summer evening at the harbour. As you stroll along the aisles, you can admire jewellery, home decor, textile creations and tasty treats, just steps from the boats and the café terraces.
The night market is one of the things to do in Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie once the sun has set.
When and how can you enjoy the night market?
Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie night market takes place in summer, Tuesday to Saturday, from 20:00 to midnight, although times can vary slightly from one evening to the next.
From our campsite, Au Bois des Biches in Saint-Hilaire-de-Riez, Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie is very close. It takes just 10 minutes to reach the market for an evening out.
Here are a few tips to make your visit more enjoyable:
- Go late in the day, after the beach, when the heat eases off.
- Have dinner on a terrace by the harbour, before or after wandering around the stalls.
- Keep some small change handy so you can take home something made by a local craftsperson.
- Allow a good hour to see everything without rushing.
Our tip
“Visit the Saint-Gilles market early in the evening, then have dinner by the harbour. The children love the atmosphere on the quays as night falls,” says the Au Bois des Biches team.
A different night market every evening in the Pays de Saint-Gilles
In the Pays de Saint-Gilles, night markets take turns on almost every evening of the week in summer. That means plenty of variety, without ever visiting the same market twice. Here is what’s on each evening:
| Evening | Town | Location | Opening hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tuesday to Saturday | Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie | Old Port and Marché aux Herbes | 20:00 to midnight |
| Wednesday | Brem-sur-Mer | Place du Jardin de l’Océan | From 17:00 |
| Thursday | Brétignolles-sur-Mer | Place de la Parée | 18:00 to midnight |
| Friday | La Chaize-Giraud | Town hall garden | 17:00 to 23:00 |
| Sunday | Saint-Hilaire-de-Riez | Place des Mouettes | 19:00 to 22:00 |
Good to know
Parking around the harbour quickly becomes difficult in the evening. If you’re staying nearby, it’s better to come by bike or on foot, so you won’t spend ages driving around. As entry is free, the night market is perfect for a spur-of-the-moment outing. And since a different market awaits you almost every evening in the Pays de Saint-Gilles, why not pick out several to fill your week?
Of all the markets near our campsite, Saint-Hilaire-de-Riez’s Sunday evening market is the closest, and a gentle way to end the week.
After a day at the beach, a market beside the harbour is a lovely way to stretch out the evening. Which night will you choose for a stroll among the craft stalls?
Book your stay at our campsite near Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie and enjoy the Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie night market all summer long.
FAQ – Night market in Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie
Where is the Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie night market held?
The Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie night market is held by the water, on the Place du Vieux Port and the Place du Marché aux Herbes. These two neighbouring squares in the town centre make a pleasant walk, between the boats and the harbourside terraces.
Which evenings does the Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie night market take place?
The Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie night market takes place in summer, from Tuesday to Saturday, from 20:00 to midnight. Times may vary slightly from one evening to the next, so it’s best to check with the tourist office before you set off, especially at the start or end of the season.
Is the Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie night market free?
Yes, the Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie night market is free: entry is open to all and you can wander between the stalls without paying an entrance fee. You only pay for anything you decide to buy from the craftspeople and designers there, which makes it an easy evening outing to decide on at the last minute.
What can you find at the Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie night market?
At the night market in Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie, you’ll find mostly crafts, both traditional and contemporary. Jewellery, home decor, textile creations and tasty treats sit side by side on the stalls. This handmade character sets this evening market apart from simple food markets, with creations to take home as souvenirs.
Are there other night markets near Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie?
Yes, several towns in the Pays de Saint-Gilles hold their own night markets in summer. You’ll find them in Brem-sur-Mer on Wednesdays, Brétignolles-sur-Mer on Thursdays, La Chaize-Giraud on Fridays and Saint-Hilaire-de-Riez on Sundays, so you can visit a different market almost every evening.
