La Chaume Jetty and Tour d'Arundel
Cross the narrow channel to the old fishing quarter of La Chaume and climb the 15th-century Tour d'Arundel for a panorama that takes in the harbour mouth, the Atlantic horizon and the full sweep of La Grande Plage — arguably the finest single viewpoint in the entire Vendée coastline.
The Tower and Its History
The Tour d'Arundel was built in the 1400s as a defensive watchtower to guard the entrance to the port, and it has watched over the comings and goings of fishing fleets, privateers and, more recently, the Vendée Globe round-the-world race fleet. The stone staircase is steep and narrow, but the reward at the top is a 360-degree view that no postcard fully captures.
The tower stands at the tip of the La Chaume jetty, so even if it is closed for a private event, the walk out along the jetty itself delivers sweeping views of the harbour, the colourful trawlers tied up at the quay and the lighthouse marking the channel entrance.
Exploring La Chaume Village
La Chaume is reached by a short ferry crossing (the Passeur) from the quayside near the fishing port — a three-minute ride that costs less than €2 and is itself a small pleasure. Once across, the narrow lanes of La Chaume are lined with low whitewashed fishermen's cottages, their shutters painted in faded blues and greens.
Stop at the small beach of La Chaume on the harbour side for a sheltered swim away from the Atlantic swell, then follow the coastal path north toward the Corniche for more clifftop views. The whole loop from the Passeur landing back to the ferry takes about 90 minutes at a relaxed pace.
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