Things to do in La Baule

From “La Bôle”, a swampy and practically desert-like place, to La Baule, the golden age of seaside travel transformed this sleepy little place into a paradise by the sea. With its beach and colourful huts, its villas, its luxury boutiques, its international jumping competition, and its regattas, the town has a way of life and a special atmosphere that make it a unique tourist destination.

Its shining stars are the magnificent villas, period jewels of seaside architecture. Under the pine trees, the villas compete with one another for most enchanting, with Moorish, Basque, English, Art Deco and Belle Époque styles all on display. The names of these villas – such as Pax and Régina – embody a sense of intimacy that harkens back to the families who once owned these houses. Part of a preserved district, they are testimonies to an era where popularity in bathing and the railways gave birth to seaside tourism.

La Baule beach

Let’s start with the basics – the immense sandy beach of La Baule Bay, stretching out over 9 kilometres. Truly the heart of the resort town, the beach receives a lot of attention, with daily cleaning in high season, and surveillance by lifeguards in July and August.

The beach is also famed for its 750 blue and white stripy tents, which are taken down each evening and put back up again each morning. Holidaymakers can hire these tents, as well as beach huts and deckchairs, for the duration of their stay.

La Baule webcamPicnic in La Baule

La Baule’s literary side

Admittedly, the poet Guillaume Apollinaire, who visited in 1913, wasn’t won over, writing: “The land here is very ugly, just pine trees and sand. Extremely tedious for walking. I heard there are lots of crowds here, but since the beach is 12 kilometres in length, there appears to be nobody.”

Since then, writers have come to love La Baule, which hosts two major literary events each year. In December, the “Rendez-Vous des écrivains” (Writers’ Rendezvous) is held at the Atlantia conference centre and sees major names in the literary world come together. In July, “Les écrivains en bord de mer” (Writers at the Seaside) convenes at the Chapelle Sainte-Anne for friendly and relaxed encounters showcasing new literary talents of today.

This passion for books also manifests itself year-round in the 12 communal bookcases that have been placed around the town, allowing people to borrow or leave books.

La Baule’s gourmet side

The town truly has a sweet tooth! Among the most famous specialities are the unmissable strawberries from Burban, the authentic Fondant Baulois, and the many sweet treats from Niniche Manuel.

The La Baule region equally has a strong gastronomic tradition, which our chef takes great pride in at our restaurant. There are the fish and shellfish from the markets of La Turballe and Le Croisic, produce from the many market gardens, and beef, honey and apples from the Brière. Other local produce includes Le Croisic snails, pigeon and seaweed.
Take a stroll around La Baule’s market by the hotel, and prepare to be amazed!

La Baule’s natural side

La Baule is a haven for green spaces, as can be attested by the numerous gardens and flower-lined streets. During your walks around town, don’t miss the Parc des Driades, a magnificent public garden spread across 25,000 m², or the Forêt d’Escoublac, a 47-hectare pine forest that’s a pleasant place for walking or a family picnic.

The environs of La Baule meanwhile offer an exceptional natural heritage, with highlights including the wild coast, the salt marshes of Guérande, and the Parc de Brière. And if you’re a lover of fine gardens, don’t miss the Jardins de Kermoureau in Herbignac (25 km from the hotel), which hold the title of “Jardin remarquable” (Remarkable Garden).

Wellness in La Baule

La Baule Bay is also a top wellness destination, renowned for the quality of its treatments and its serene atmosphere perfect for unwinding and relaxing. The town offers one of the widest arrays of thalassotherapy (saltwater spa) centres in France. Two families largely contributed to the development of thalassotherapy in the bay area – the Phélippeau family, which opened one of the first saltwater spa centres in France at Pornichet in 1971; and the Barrière family which opened the Thalasso Thalgo de La Baule. There’s now a third thalassotherapy centre on Avenue Lajarrige: the Rivage thalassotherapy centre.

You can enjoy these wonderful offerings during your stay in La Baule by spending a day enjoying a whole array of treatments at one of these establishments. It’s the perfect opportunity to fully enjoy your holiday by unwinding and relaxing.