The Resort Town of Aiguillon-la-Presqu’île: Dedicated to Accessibility. Aiguillon-la-Presqu’île goes the extra mile to accommodate individuals with reduced mobility. This resort town features five lifeguarded beaches during the season, providing safe swimming for all ages. Accessible year-round, wooden paths lead visitors close to the ocean, ensuring that everyone can enjoy the seaside. Four of these beaches are located in La Faute-sur-Mer, and one is in Aiguillon-sur-Mer. Above all, Aiguillon-la-Presqu’île is committed to improving beach accessibility through an ongoing program specifically designed to enhance access for individuals with reduced mobility (PRM)

Accessible Beaches

Across the 15 km of sandy beaches in the area, permanent pathways ensure access to all lifeguarded beaches. Wooden paths extend paved roads for easier access to the beach by wheelchair or stroller. However, not all beaches have beach chairs adapted for people with disabilities. Currently, the resort town of Aiguillon-la-Presqu’île offers two fully accessible beaches for PRM (Persons with Reduced Mobility).

Various equipment, such as tiralos, are available free of charge upon request—either from the town hall outside of summer or directly at the lifeguard station during the season. Availability is limited, so reservations are advised during peak periods. The town hopes to make all lifeguarded beaches fully accessible soon.

Handiplage: Beach Fun for All

In Vendée, only a few beaches have earned the Handiplage label. The Bélugas Beach in La Faute-sur-Mer and the bathing lake beach in Aiguillon-sur-Mer received this label in 2017 and 2021, respectively. These beaches are adapted for people with disabilities to enjoy safe and accessible swimming.

At the end of the accessible paths at Bélugas Beach, a specially designed mat allows wheelchairs to reach the water. With reflective white bands, it also aids navigation for people with visual impairments. This mat is installed each year when the weather warms, creating a gentle slope toward the wet sand. Shaded wooden seating areas are also provided at the beach entrances. Floating beach chairs with low-pressure wheels make it easy to travel across the sand and fit all body types, including children.

Swimming for All

For comfortable swimming, Bélugas Beach and the bathing lake offer complete equipment (hippocampe, handiquadro, and tiralo chairs).

  • Tiralos: Rolling loungers with floating armrests and large wheels. These chairs make it easier to cross dry sand but are not designed for independent movement. They float, even in deep water.
  • Hippocampe: A chair for independent entry to the water, allowing movement across the sand.
  • Handiquadro: An all-terrain chair capable of rolling through water and on uneven surfaces.

Bélugas Beach

Located in La Faute-sur-Mer, this beach is ideal for families. Parking is available directly in front of the beach for free. Then, take a 300 m paved path to the sand. Cyclists can secure bikes in racks near the lifeguard station. The beach is supervised from July 1 to August 31. For a sneak peek, check the webcam before setting out.

  • Label: Handiplage
  • Services: Playground, beach bar
  • Activities: Land sailing, longe-côte, and in summer, a beach library and a shallow pool for swimming lessons
  • Parking: Free, with reserved spaces for Mobility Inclusion Card holders
  • Equipment: Free beach chairs (tiralo, hippocampe, and handiquadro) available at the lifeguard station in summer or at the town hall outside of season
  • Accessible Toilets: Near the lifeguard station in season, available year-round near the town hall
  • Lifeguard Contact: +33 6 82 85 96 63

Nearby, in the forest or park, tables are accessible for wheelchair users for picnics. Additionally, the coastal footpath, Littoral Fautais, offers sections that can be enjoyed by wheelchair or stroller.

Bathing Lake Beach

If you prefer calm water or are new to swimming in seawater, the bathing lake beach in Aiguillon-sur-Mer is for you. Located in the town center, this cozy sandy beach is supervised from July 1 to August 31.

  • Label: Handiplage and no-smoking beach
  • Services: Playground, carousel, picnic tables, and beach bar
  • Activities: Paddleboarding, pedal boats, and water games on the lake. Nearby, enjoy cable skiing, a city stadium, skate park, and fitness station
  • Parking: Free, with reserved spaces for Mobility Inclusion Card holders
  • Equipment: Free beach chairs (tiralo, hippocampe, and handiquadro) available at the lifeguard station in summer or at the town hall outside of season
  • Accessible Toilets: Located near the playground on the parking lot side
In Aiguillon-la-Presqu’île, adapted structures allow people with reduced mobility to enjoy various sports activities. The land sailing center offers a two-seater land yacht. Atlantic Wakepark provides adaptive equipment for people with disabilities who want to try wakeboarding. For swimming practice or relaxation, the Port’Océane aquatic center in Luçon offers pool access chairs and hippocampe chairs in each pool. Finally, just nearby, the Michel Brosselin Nature Reserve in Saint-Denis-du-Payré has a Tourism and Disability label.