From the 3-star Le Bellevue campsite in La Tranche-sur-Mer, you’re just a stone’s throw from a true natural gem in the Pays de la Loire region. Discover the Réserve Naturelle Nationale de La Belle Henriette, located between La Tranche-sur-Mer and L’Aiguillon-la-Presqu’île, which includes the communes of La Faute-sur-Mer and l’Aiguillon-sur-Mer. This 330-hectare nature reserve offers a unique experience for nature lovers in the heart of the Marais Poitevin.
A unique natural site between dunes, lagoon and marshes
Nature is constantly evolving in the Casse de La Belle Henriette National Nature Reserve. This dune belt is regularly battered by the wind and the Atlantic Ocean. In 2010, for example, the landscape was altered by storm Xynthia, which breached the natural barrier and altered the tidal cycle in the lagoon. Artificially disconnected from the ocean in 1972, the lagoon naturally reconnected in 2014, revealing rare natural habitats and exceptional landscapes.
The reserve is managed by the Ligue pour la Protection des Oiseaux, the Parc Naturel Marin de l’estuaire de la Gironde et de la mer des Pertuis and the Fédération Départementale des Chasseurs de la Vendée. These organizations ensure the conservation and protection of this unique ecosystem in France. During your stay at our campsite in La Tranche-sur-Mer, Le Bellevue, you’ll be ideally situated in the heart of La Belle Henriette bay.
Observe bird and animal species in their natural habitats
This paradise for nature lovers and birdwatchers is home to over 230 bird species, including species of major conservation interest. These include the short-eared owl during winter, and the osprey during migration, for which the Poitevin marshes and Belle Henriette dunes are a veritable sanctuary.
This protected natural area is home to mammals such as the European otter. It’s also a popular environment for species of heritage insects, reptiles and amphibians such as the cultriped pelobate. If you’d prefer to discover the reserve with a guide, book your visit with a local tourist office.
A nature vacation in the Vendée
From our family campsite in the Vendée, you’re ideally placed to discover the reserve and the beach of La Belle Henriette. Several signposted paths open to the public allow you to explore the nature reserve, while respecting its fragile environment. It is essential to stay on these paths, not to pick or disturb anything, and not to leave any garbage behind.
During your walk, you’ll find information panels on the site’s ecosystem and the different species that live there. To make the most of your walk in La Belle Henriette National Nature Reserve, we recommend you bring binoculars, so you can observe the different species of birds and animals from a distance without disturbing their activities.
The Vendée is a vacation destination with many other surprises in store for nature lovers. The Baie de l’Aiguillon and the Pointe d’Arçay are also close to Le Bellevue campsite. Book your mobile home with a view of the La Belle Henriette National Nature Reserve at our campsite today.
