The bay of La Baule
The 9 km long sandy beach which draws the arc of the bay, known as Le Pouliguen, is the true heart of local life. The “Baulois”, the “Pornichetains” and the “Pouliguennais” live turned towards the sea and adopt its rhythm by exercising all imaginable nautical activities or simply by enjoying the beach every day.
This arc continues offshore with a string of islands and shoals that accentuate the bay’s feeling of refuge. We are both in a sheltered area and facing the elements depending on where we are. Pornichet faces the southerly winds while Le Pouliguen takes on the “noroîts” wind. So you can always either walk sheltered from the wind or facing it.
The islands are a haven of peace, sometimes frequented in summer, but most often deserted by men and populated by birds. We sometimes come across dolphins just behind… And when we are there and look at the bay, the constructions 4 km away give way to reveal the soul of La Baule: its dune. In the local dialect, a “bôle” is a dune. And La Baule is quite simply an immense dune almost 50 m high which was fixed by the pines on the orders of the king, in particular to protect the salt marshes of Pornichet and Guérande. Seen from offshore, it is this huge hump of greenery that predominates. And in the city, despite the buildings, it is also this green seaside atmosphere that is felt.
When you look to the south you see the Loire estuary: the largest river in France. To the north, we face the enfilade of the peninsula with the wild coast which continues with the Morbihan islands of Hoëdic, Houat, and Belle Ile. This breathtaking panorama is easily accessible by Wing, kite, and even SUP.
