Saint Jean de Monts

Saint-Jean-de-Monts is a French commune. It is situated in the Vendée département and the Pays de la Loire région. It is a popular summer resort on the Atlantic coast.

The town is situated in the west of the département, between Notre-Dame-de-Monts and Saint-Hilaire-de-Riez. It is split in two by a long plantation of pine trees, stretching from north to south along the coast. The centre-ville lies to the east of the cordon, while the seafront forms a lively center to the west.

Saint-Jean-de-Monts is reknowned for its sandy beach, more than eight kilometers long. Due to its often low tides, it offers a great area for walkers, fishermen, and beach games.

The town is noteworthy for the recent restoration of its seafront, a vast town planning operation taking over five years to complete. The hugely successful result now means a network of footpaths and cycle tracks are enhanced by an array of plants, flowers and shrubs.

Since 1867, bathers have been coming to the beach at Saint-Jean-de-Monts in large numbers, and since 1892 it has been the inspiration for many artists. The original church still lies in the center of the old village.

Places of interest

• The pier on the beach acts as a pontoon over the sea, and is a popular location for fishermen and walkers. • A sculpture of two birds is in memory of Auguste Lepère and Charles Milcendeau. • The national forest of 280 hectares, in the heart of the Breton / Vendée marshes, was planted under Napoléon III.