Today, I feel restless and decide to go and have a look at some of the sights. As I come into town, I decide to visit the Shell museum that seems famous. It turns out to be a very interesting display of 25000 shells from around the world collected by a passionate collector. Amazing to see the difference in size, colours and shapes.

Some of the 25000 shells in te museum

And more – especially these huge shells
After the museum, I take a detour to see the Quartier de l’Ile de Penotte and its wall art. Turns out to be a very nice spot hidden away a couple of blocks from the beach promenade. Beautiful paintings combined with seashells. With the bright colours of the houses – it gives a welcoming effect. Nice place to live!

Art in Quartier de l’Ile de Penotte

Quartier de l’Ile de Penotte

Quartier de l’Ile de Penotte
As I come out on “Le Remblai” – the beach promenade – I stumble across a rental company renting bikes and scooters. I decide to take a Kymco 50cc scooter for a day and have a look at the surroundings. First I go southeast along the coast to have a look at the Bourgenay marina. Just as it said in the pilot book – it is a large modern but artificial marina so I skip the planned lunch here.

Leaving Les Sables

The Kymco

Bourgenay marina

The beach of Veillon
Instead, I continue on to Talmont-Saint-Hilaire that is most famous for its castle. Richard I of England (Lionhart) often used this castle as his base and owned the Château de Talmont from 1182 until his death. I walk up to the castle, pick up an audio guide and learn more.

Nice roads

The castle of Talmont

The guards room

View from the tower

Me and the Kymco outside the castle
Leaving Talmont, I decide to go north of Les Sables to see the coastal road towards Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie. As I drive this nice road next to the ocean as the sun slowly sets – life really feels good. Being on a bike is always better than sitting caged up in a car even if I would have appreciated some extra horsepowers. A very nice day!

View from the west coast

Waves coming ashore

Along the Corniche

The Cornice Vendeenne

Saint Gilles

Jennifer of Stockholm but nobody at home