Vendays-Montalivet is a coastal town in Gironde, in the New Aquitaine region. Located in the tip of the Médoc, bordered by the ocean to the west and the mouth of the Gironde to the east, the locality is 80 km from Bordeaux and benefits from a privileged environment on the Côte d'Argent., with 12 km of beaches on the Atlantic, on the edge of the forest.
With nearly 2,500 "permanent" inhabitants (but more than 45,000 in summer!), the small town includes a town, inland, and a seaside resort, on the coast, Montalivet-les- Baths.
Vendays-Montalivet, initially surrounded by marshes which were drained, became, after the Hundred Years War, a fiefdom of the seigneury of Lesparre. Its rise took shape during the second half of the 19th century with the vogue for sea bathing facilitated by the arrival of the train.
However, economic activity is also based on the exploitation of the Landes forest.
The seaside resort developed even more after the Second World War when a helio-marine center was created which quickly became an internationally renowned naturist tourist complex.
In the town centre, a quick visit reveals the Saint-Seurin church (19th century), in the neo-Gothic style, and the town hall built in limestone.
At Montalivet-les-Bains, facing the ocean, you will discover a column supporting a Virgin of Our Lady of the Floods (1868) and nearby, a bust of the resort's founder, Jacques Laporte, which gives rise to a custom: it is traditional to go around it when staying on the coast…
But it is its natural environment that makes Vendays-Montalivet a stopover of choice for holidaymakers and tourists. On the territory, some 40 km of hiking trails and 30 km of cycle paths have been laid out: so many opportunities to enjoy the coast but also the charms of the forest (6,000 hectares!) and the last still-living marshes (the Perge and the Gua). What to apprehend a typical fauna (Canada geese, falcons...) and flora (not to mention the porcini mushrooms in autumn and for the most patient, the slab of deer...). All information on hiking trails and cycle paths on +33 5 56 09 30 12. For a guided tour of the marshes, contact +33 5 56 09 30 12; to explore them by paddle, contact +33 6 81 94 45 90.
Another way to discover the geology, history and biology of the town and its region: visit the Grange Heritage Museum (permanent display cases, projections and temporary exhibitions). Information on +33 5 56 73 32 02.
Then just enjoy the pleasures of the beach. There are five: the "north" beach, which includes a slipway for boats; the "central north" beach; the "south" beach, where the surf club is located (Montalivet is famous for its spots; for all information, call +33 6 83 52 63 74)... Still from north to south, then follow the beach of the CHM naturist center and that of from the ACM holiday club. Then, the remaining 8 km of beaches included in the municipal territory are no longer supervised but can be the subject of walks in a preserved setting...
Note of course that naturism is not allowed outside the perimeter of the center helio-marine: this includes several types of accommodation, shops and reserved play areas. The center is located on 200 hectares of pine forest and is protected by a wall. Contact on 05 33 092 092.
Other possible activities: tree climbing (Tel.: +33 5 56 09 07 88), karting (Tel.: +33 5 56 09 38 94), sand yachting (Tel.: +33 5 56 09 31 15)…
The last weekend of June (Friday, Saturday and Sunday) the "Show Bike Aquitaine" brings together more than 22,000 Bikers from all over Europe at Vendays-Montalivet. This major Custom Culture event has been celebrated since 1994 and forms a large family with very varied audiences who benefit both from the immense site in State Duolé and from the main avenue of the beach whose traffic is reserved for Bikers during the event, transforming Vendays-Montalivet into the French Daytona Beach. Numerous international concerts, access control and 24-hour security on site, bar, stands, sexy shows, freestyle, stunts, supervised camping, showers, supervised parking for motorcycles, support shop, restaurant village, fireworks....The best way to start each summer in one of the most beautiful natural sites in the Médoc.
The third weekend of July, the Estivales de la BD brings together around thirty authors. Meetings, signings and workshops are on the program.
On August 15, the Sea Festival brings together the local public and vacationers (entertainments, shows, fireworks).
In a different register, for gourmets and gourmands wishing to taste the charms of the local terroir (oysters, Bordeaux wines, etc.) but also tourists wishing to learn about regional crafts, a market is scheduled every day in Montalivet (under the covered market in winter), from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. It has become an institution and one of the busiest in the region. On Sunday morning, a market also takes place in the village.
Grand Tournoi de Bridge de Montalivet
- On 16 july 2025
- Maison des Jeunes, Rue André Goulée
- Grand Bridge Tournament organized by the Association Montalivet Bridge Club. - Prize : wine for each player. Limited to 20 tables, table fee : 25 ? - Information and registration : 06 71 05 55 91 or 06 81 31 44 76
Exposition Artistique : Voyage/Voyage
- From 17 to 21 july 2025
- Place du 8 Mai, Salle polyvalente
- Organized by the Association pour le Développement de Vendays-Montalivet. - Opening on Thursday, July 17 at 6pm. - Exhibition accompanied by children's/adult's workshops every day from 2pm to 5pm : painting, drawing, crochet, macramé. - Daily workshops for children and adults : painting, drawing, crochet, macramé. - Information : 06.83.05.83.18
Portes Ouvertes de l'Aeroclub de Montalivet
- On 20 july 2025
- Aérodrome, Route de Montalivet
- Come and discover the Vendays-Montalivet flying club, and enjoy a country-style meal with traditional spit-roasted ham ! Baptism of the air all day long ! - Reservations required on 06 75 86 33 16.
Journée des Auteurs
- On 24 july 2025
- Place du 8 Mai, Salle polyvalente
- Meet the authors, book signings, workshops and exhibitions. - Organized by Le Gourbet association. - Information : 07 89 40 36 23 or jeanpatbahain@gmail.com
Solar Tour
- On 24 july 2025
- Avenue de l'Océan, Rue piétonne
- This duo, comprising a DJ and a saxophonist, hits the road with their self-contained, solar-powered sound system - Solar-powered sound system. A luminous concentrate !
Course des 3 Sentiers
- On 27 july 2025
- Avenue de l'Océan, Place de 8 Mai 1945
- Two running formats are on offer. 6 km and 15 km, plus a 1 km kids' race. The courses have been adapted to make them pleasant and varied. Fancy a bit of sport before a relaxing afternoon at the market or on the beach ? - Online registration at https://www.les3sentiers.fr. Numbers to be collected by 8:30 a.m. Race starts at 9:30 a.m. Organized by the Finish line association. - Information : lestroissentiers@gmail.com
Back to Eighties
- On 27 july 2025
- Place du 8 Mai 1945
- The Eighties group performs a wide-ranging 80s repertoire, and leaves no audience indifferent at every performance. A dynamic show that's sure to bring back memories and get you dancing and singing along !
Exposition de Photos : Regarde le Médoc
- From 29 july to 3 august 2025
- Avenue de l'Océan, Salle polyvalente
- Come and discover the landscapes of the Médoc over the course of the seasons, and share a moment with us during this walk. - Organized by Emilie Boudoin and J.L Boudoin.
Nuits des Étoiles
- From 1 to 2 august 2025
- Aérodrome, Route de Montalivet
- Organized by the association Astronomie Club Médocain. - Lectures and sky observation with several telescopes. - Information : 06.95.55.05.51
4ème Marathon de Bridge
- From 2 to 3 august 2025
- Lède de Montalivet, Maison des jeunes
- Organized by the Montalivet Bridge Club - Information and registration before August 02:06.71.05.55.91 or 06.81.31.44.76
