La Plaine-sur-Mer is a coastal town in Loire-Atlantique, in the Pays de la Loire region, 25 km south-east of Saint-Nazaire.
Made up of a village and two coastal villages or hamlets, Le Cormier and Port Giraud, the locality forms the "western" end of the Pays de Retz, near the tip of Saint-Gildas, and its western limits and north are formed by 7 km of coast where sand beaches, coves and rocky points follow one another.
Now a popular family seaside resort on the Jade Coast, also living from fishing and the production of oysters and mussels, La Plaine-sur-Mer was inhabited from the Neolithic era. A first church was built there at the turn of the year 1000. Culturally and historically belonging to the Duchy of Brittany, it became an autonomous parish in the 18th century. At this time, the battle of the Cardinals took place in 1759, opposing the fleet of Louis XV to the English off the coast of the village. Since then, a wreck bears witness to this historic episode.
In the twentieth century, the development of tourism is boosting the demography of the town, which is currently approaching 4,200 inhabitants. A population which increases tenfold in season thanks to the nautical pleasures and a preserved environment near other famous sites, such as Nantes, Pornic or even Noirmoutier.
The Notre-Dame-de-l'Assomption church is the main element of the built heritage of the locality. The building dates from 1845, after a hurricane destroyed the previous church in 1836, whose square bell tower adorned with an arrow served as a landmark for navigators for centuries. Inside, there is a superb black marble font dating from 1611.
During a walk on the coastal path, you will also notice a marine anchor dating from the Cardinals' war in the 18th century, which is now a tribute to the sailors who disappeared at sea. Nearby, on the La Tara site, an orientation table allows you to locate the wars and shipwrecks that occurred off the town. Beside it, an analemmatic sundial is also visible (just stand in the center of the circle drawn on the ground).
A discovery of La Plaine-sur-Mer then includes its ports. That of Gravette, the main one, houses some 35 fishing boats and has 320 pitches dedicated to yachting. More modest but picturesque, at the bottom of a natural cove, the port of Cormier can accommodate nearly 68 boats in season. Information on +33 2 40 21 56 09.
Then it's time for the pleasures of the beach and water sports. The easiest to access and secure are the sandy beaches of Joalland-La Tara, Port Giraud (where the remains of the Atlantic Wall are visible) and Le Cormier (with a beach volleyball court and a first aid station).
In Cormier again, the "Fun Glisse" club is based, which offers sailing, surfing and kitesurfing in season, as well as paddle boarding. Information on +33 2 40 21 27 77.
For amateurs of shore fishing (shellfish), at low tide, inquire about the regulations on +33 2 40 82 04 40.
For young children, the town has 'specific play areas in the center, in the Lakas garden, also a very pleasant wooded promenade, and on the so-called Mouton beach.
For a game of tennis, it is advisable to book a court with the local association on +33 2 40 21 50 14.
Besides the coastal path, many possibilities for hiking are available in the locality, including some areas have retained a protected natural environment. These routes also allow you to stop in one of the units dedicated to the production of mussels or oysters... As for cyclists, they can take a section of the "Vélodyssée" which runs along the Atlantic coast. Maps and information on +33 2 40 82 04 40.
On the cultural level, finally, the municipal media library regularly schedules "reading" events and meetings with authors. Information on +33 2 51 74 81 92.
