Salty sea air fills your lungs, the ocean has drawn back and a vast stretch of foreshore lies open: a call to adventure. Shore fishing in Vendée is an authentic pastime and a perfect family activity for connecting with nature. Ideally set in the heart of a pine forest in Saint-Hilaire-de-Riez, our campsite, Flower Camping Au Bois des Biches, is the ideal starting point for discovering the Vendée coast and its hidden treasures.
Why is the Vendée coast such a great place to play?
The Vendée coastline is a mosaic of landscapes. Long stretches of fine sand, as at Saint-Jean-de-Monts, give way to rocky stretches along the corniche, towards Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie or Jard-sur-Mer. This variety of habitats means a variety of catches: dog cockles, clams, oysters, mussels, shrimps or velvet crabs. Every outing is a new experience.
Rooted in local history, shore fishing has gone from being a source of food to a much-loved family pastime. It is also a wonderful educational adventure. Children learn to identify different species, understand their habitat and respect the marine ecosystem. It’s a natural science lesson in the open air, with your feet in the water.
The best shellfish foraging spots in Vendée: where to look?
Vendée is full of well-known spots. Here is a selection of the best to guide you along the Atlantic coast.
The island of Noirmoutier and its famous Passage du Gois
A real haven for anyone who loves foraging by the sea, the island of Noirmoutier is a top destination. The Passage du Gois, a one-of-a-kind tidal causeway, is a legendary spot for gathering clams and cockles at low tide. Elsewhere on the island, the coastline around La Guérinière and L’Épine is rich in clams, oysters and mussels, while the Herbaudière area is known for its prawns.
From Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie to Saint-Jean-de-Monts
This stretch of coastline, close to our campsite, is especially generous. Saint-Jean-de-Monts is the place for pignons (also called tellines), particularly on the sands of la Davière and the Tonnelles. The coastline from Sion to Saint-Hilaire-de-Riez is ideal for finding mussels and velvet crabs among the rocks.
Please note that shore foraging at Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie, on the Grande Plage, may be temporarily banned for health reasons or dredging work.
The southern coast, from Les Sables-d’Olonne to Longeville-sur-Mer
Further south, the coast keeps on surprising. The site of Le Veillon at Talmont-Saint-Hilaire is magnificent and well known for its shrimps, periwinkles and limpets. The shores around Jard-sur-Mer, such as those at Ragounite or Le Bouil, offer a good variety of species. Likewise, shore foraging at Les Sables-d’Olonne may be subject to restrictions in some areas, such as Tanchet, for water quality reasons.
| Spot | Main species | Type of site | Fisher’s tip |
| Passage du Gois (Noirmoutier) | Clams, cockles | Tidal causeway, sandy flats | Only at low tide. Take great care when the tide comes back in! |
| La Guérinière (Noirmoutier) | Oysters, clams, crabs | Mixed foreshore (sandy and rocky) | Ideal for a varied, family-friendly outing. |
| La Davière (Saint-Jean-de-Monts) | Tellins (pignons) | Long stretch of sand | The go-to spot for this fine, delicate shellfish. |
| Sion (Saint-Hilaire-de-Riez) | Mussels, velvet crabs | Rocky area | Perfect for a first go at shore foraging among the rocks. |
| Le Veillon (Talmont-Saint-Hilaire) | Shrimps, periwinkles, limpets | Mixed foreshore | A magnificent site where the river meets the sea. |
| Jard-sur-Mer | Limpets, velvet crabs, periwinkles | Shores and rock breakwaters | Several areas along the coast, for plenty of variety. |
What are the rules for shore foraging in Vendée?
The shore foraging regulations in Vendée aim to protect the resource for everyone. It’s important to follow a few simple rules:
- Sizes and quotas: each species has a minimum catch size (e.g. 4 cm for mussels, 3.5 cm for Japanese carpet shells) and a maximum quantity per person (e.g. 5 kg of mussels, 2 kg of pignons). Measuring gauges are often available from tourist information centres.
- Permitted tools: only certain hand tools are allowed, such as a three-pronged hand rake without a mesh basket (a grapette) or a clam-fishing knife.
- Areas and times: fishing is forbidden at night, from sunset to sunrise, and within 25 metres of oyster farms and mussel poles (bouchots).
The most important tip: before every outing, check the health map on the website of the Regional Health Agency (ARS) for the Pays de la Loire1: water quality can vary, and temporary bans may be put in place to protect your health.
What equipment do you need for shore fishing at low tide in the Vendée?
You don’t need expensive gear to get started. Here are the essentials:
- What to wear: rubber boots or old trainers are a must to avoid cuts. Remember a waterproof jacket, a hat and sun cream.
- For fishing: a bucket, a hand rake or a small rake, and perhaps a pair of gloves for handling stones and oysters.
- For safety: a charged mobile phone to call the emergency services (196 for sea rescue) and the tide times.
Which shellfish can you find in the Vendée, and how can you recognise them?
The shore at low tide is an open book for anyone who knows how to read it.
- Clams and cockles: look for the two little holes in the damp sand, then dig gently.
- Razor clams: look for a keyhole-shaped hole. Pour in a pinch of salt and the razor clam will pop out of its hiding place.
- Oysters and mussels: they cling to the rocks, often in colonies.
- Prawns: use a small net in the rock pools and under the seaweed.
When and how to go shore foraging for a successful outing?
The secret of a good catch lies in timing and respect for the shore.
- The best time: choose days with spring tides, when the tidal coefficient is above 90. The sea goes out further, uncovering areas rich in shellfish. Arrive 1 hour 30 minutes before low tide.
- Safety first: start heading back up the shore when the tide is at its lowest. The tide can come in very quickly and catch you by surprise.
- Good practice: only take what you will eat. Always put any stones you lift back where you found them, the right way up, to protect the homes of marine animals.
After a lovely day of shore foraging in Vendée, picture yourself returning to the peace of the pine forest at Flower Camping Au Bois des Biches. It’s the perfect moment to prepare and enjoy your catch, a real taste of a holiday on the Atlantic coast.
