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 penultimate full weekend of June, over three days, the Montalivet "show bike" brings together motorcycle enthusiasts (exhibitions, events, shows).
On the third weekend of July, the Estivales de la BD bring together around thirty authors. Meetings, dedications and workshops are on the program.
On August 15, the Fête de la Mer brings together the local public and holidaymakers (entertainment, 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 halls 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 town.
Exposition "Ombre et Lumière" - M.C. Valentine & Béatrice Mignon
- From 25 march to 24 may 2024
- 25 Bd du Front de Mer, Le Cube Coworking Montalivet
- "Béatrice Mignon is a photographer. Through her images, she tells a story, stimulates the imagination and provokes reflection. An exhibition with multiple sources of inspiration, from nature to disused industrial sites and street art. Worth a look. - MC Valentine organizes chaos and tries to give meaning to existence. Here, the important thing is to establish a relationship with the viewer that is a source of gentleness and happiness in a shared spirituality. Graphically, randomness mingles with the highly organized, until balance is achieved. Mystical."
Atelier LEGO - Autour du Printemps Avec l'Association Brick Spirit Family
- On 23 april 2024
- 11 Place de la Mairie, Médiathèque
- LEGO workshop - Springtime with the Brick Spirit Family - Registration required for ages 6 and up
Monde de Papier Origami - Bienvenue au Printemps
- On 24 april 2024
- 11 Place de la Mairie, Médiathèque
- Origami workshop - Family initiation from 8 years old - On registration
Ciné Goûter "Un Monstre à Paris"
- On 25 april 2024
- Salle culturelle
- Snack offered by the municipality
Volvemos A America Latina - par l'Association Polyphonies à Eysines
- On 27 april 2024
- Route de Courreau, Salle Culturelle
- Volvemos A America Latina - By the association Polyphonies à Eysines
Troc-Plantes et Grand Déballage - Le GOURBET
- On 28 april 2024
- Place du 8 mai, Salle Polyvalente
- The association Le Gourbet organizes a Troc-Plantes : exchange of seeds, cuttings and seedlings from 9 am to 2 pm as well as a big unpacking from 9 am to 6 pm
