5 PLACES TO EAT & DRINK

Café de la Plage,

Sainte-hilairede-riez. This step-back-in-time stands at the tip of the promenade facing the sea. Cosy inside if it’s cool and with outside tables for sunny days, you’ll find moules, lobster gratin, oysters, crêpes and profiteroles. It’s all fabulously old-school, so stick to the obvious choices. (1 Promenade de la Mer, +33 2 51 54 51 76)

Le Casier,

St-gilles-croix-de-vie. Near the church in the centre of the old port you’ll find Le Casier. Outside tables allow you to dine with a sea view or you can sit inside if it's hot. There's an excellent soupe de poisson (£7.60), oysters start at £8 for six, and you should try Croix de Vie sardines with potatoes and butter (£10.90) to follow. There’s an under12s menu of fish and chips or steak hache with a drink and ice cream for £10.50 per head. (lecasier.com)

Le Bistrot Plage,

Notre-damede-monts. The serene sweep of beach at Notre-dame-de-monts boasts a library and free games on a wooden esplanade next to this place, as well as the best beach views going. Order moules and frites or sardines and a glass of wine, or just stop for a coffee, cold beer or ice cream, but you're best to book: with views like these the tables fill up fast. (Plage Centrale, +33 7 71 04 96 37)

L’huîtrière de Fromentine,

La Barre-de-monts. Oyster guru David Leccosois does a wonderful tour of his place – and even better, he will do it in English if you ask – or simply have lunch at one of the tables on the wooden veranda. It's seafood galore because, as well as oysters, there are plateaux de fruits de mer. For £8.50 you get a tour, tasting, glass of Muscadet and bread and butter. (huitres-vendee.com)

Le Duo,

Saint-jean-de-monts. This lovely little patisserie is a good stop for breakfast, lunch or dessert. They do good baguettes, too. (60 Avenue du Général de Gaulle, +33 2 51 58 61 15)