Montalivet (the full name for the town is Vendays-Montalivet) and the associated resort of Montalivet-les-Bains are on the Atlantic coast of south-west France, on the northern part of the Medoc peninsula and to the south of Soulac-sur-Mer.
Explore Montalivet
It is of course for the beach that most visitors come to Montalivet-les-Bains. The beach here is very long (12 kilometres in total) and sandy, and largely backed by sand dunes, which in turn are backed by the extensive pine forests of the Medoc-Landes region.
The beach has also been awarded the Blue flag award for cleanliness and like the other beaches along this stretch of coast Montalivet-les-Bains is popular with surfers benefitting from the Atlantic waves.
The coastal resort part of Montalivet was created in the middle of the 19th century, and is a small friendly place based entirely around visitors to the coast. There are a good number of cafes, bars, small supermarkets and accommodation options for visitors.
Its relative isolation and limited facilities mean that Montalivet, like most of the resorts north of Lacanau-Ocean, is relatively less visited and very quiet outside the summer season.
During the summer a very extensive market is held here every day which adds to the holiday atmosphere at Montalivet.
Naturism in Montalivet
It would be impossible to talk of Montalivet without talking of naturism, since it was here in 1950 that the first naturist centre in the world was opened.
There is still a popular naturist holiday village in the forest near the resort - see Euronat for details.
Discovering the region
A few kilometres inland to the east of Montalivet is the small town of Vendays, a more 'traditional' town based around a church, which also has basic facilities if little of great interest to see. Montalivet is joined to Vendays by a cycle path, one of just several in the region including one that runs the entire west coast (100km+) of the Medoc peninsula.
Among the places we suggest you visit nearby are the town of Soulac-sur-Mer towards the north of the Medoc peninsula. The popular resort of Lacanau Ocean is always busy in the summer and about 40 kilometres to the south of here
A little further afield, wine enthusiasts will want to visit the renowned wine chateaux near Margaux and Pauillac to the south-east of the Medoc peninsula.
If you are spending some time exploring the coast here you can discover the popular Atlantic resorts and beaches
See more seaside resorts in France. You can find more travel ideas in the Gironde guide and the Aquitaine guide.
Arrange a visit to Montalivet
Hotels in Montalivet
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Map of Montalivet and places nearby
Visit near Montalivet with France This Way reviews
Saint-Vivien-de-Medoc
While Saint-Vivien-de-Medoc would not be considered a tourist destination, you might like to stop and admire the church when you are passing
Saint-Vivien-de-Medoc guide
Lesparre-Medoc
A small town in Medoc, at Lesparre-Medoc you can see the remains of a medieval tower
Lesparre-Medoc guide
Soulac-sur-Mer
Soulac-sur-Mer is a long established beach resort at the north of the Medoc peninsula
Soulac-sur-Mer guide
Hourtin
As well as its long beach, Hourtin also has the largest lake in France with lots of leisure activities
Hourtin guide
Le Verdon-sur-Mer
The small resort of Le Verdon-sur-Mer is quiet but has long sandy beaches
Le Verdon-sur-Mer guide
Vertheuil
In this tiny village you can see Vertheuil Abbey and also the ruins of an ancient castle
Vertheuil guide... or see ALL recommended places to visit in Gironde
Address: Vendays-Montalivet, Lesparre-Médoc, Aquitaine, 33930, France || GPS coordinates: latitude 45.356944, longitude -1.059167
Plan your visit to Montalivet, Gironde
Sightseeing & tourist attractions to visit nearby
- Soulac-su-Mer basilique Notre-Dame-de-la-fin-des-Terres (monuments on French pilgrim routes): heritage site (18 km)
- Pointe de Grave: site of natural beauty (19 km)
- Talmont: most beautiful village (23 km)
- Forêt de Suzac: site of natural beauty (26 km)
- Pointe de Suzac: site of natural beauty (28 km)
- Parcs et jardins du château de Beaulon: remarkable garden (29 km)
- Royan: town of art and history (29 km)
- Forêt de la Lande: site of natural beauty (35 km)
- Parc du château Lanessan: remarkable garden (37 km)
- Zoo de la Palmyre: zoo or wildlife park (38 km)
- Fort Médoc (Vauban fortifications): heritage site (39 km)
- Mornac-sur-Seudre: most beautiful village (39 km)
The French version of this page is at Montalivet (Francais)