Bordeaux to Vendays-Montalivet with a private driver
Twelve kilometers of ocean, a special market event, and a revolution that began in 1950: Vendays-Montalivet, the oldest resort in the Médoc (1852), its founding CHM, its 6,000-hectare pine forest, and the vineyards right next door—just 1 hour and 30 minutes from Bordeaux.
Vendays-Montalivet at a Glance
Vendays-Montalivet is a town in the Médoc region of Gironde—not in the Landes—that boasts 12 km of ocean beaches, one of the largest summer markets in Gironde (with more than 200 stalls daily), and a major role in the history of naturism: The French Naturist Federation traces the opening of Europe’s first naturist vacation center, in 1950, to the Gironde, and the INF-FNI confirms that its bylaws were adopted in Montalivet in 1953. Located 81 km from Bordeaux (1 hour 30 minutes), this resort—founded in 1852—is one of the oldest on the Gironde coast, nestled between a 6,000-hectare pine forest and the Médoc vineyards a few kilometers to the east. This guide distinguishes between verified facts and common misconceptions: the CHM is among the largest naturist centers in the Médoc, though it lacks an official ranking due to the absence of strictly comparable published measurements; the church is named Saint-Seurin (not Saint-Pierre), and the town has no historic monuments. We’ll conclude with the easiest way to get there: a private door-to-door transfer.
Here are the key details to know before you go. Distances are calculated door-to-door from Bordeaux; the fare listed is for a chauffeur service booked at a fixed price in advance, with no unexpected meter charges. The information has been verified using Wikipedia, INSEE, the Mérimée database, city hall, the tourist office, and the CHM; event times and dates are subject to change and should be confirmed on site.
| Landmark | Details |
|---|---|
| Municipality | Vendays-Montalivet (Gironde, Médoc), 2,838 residents of Vendays (2023) |
| Location | Médoc Peninsula; two main areas (the town of Vendays and Montalivet-les-Bains, 8 km away) |
| Singularities | 12 km of beaches · the birthplace of organized naturism (CHM, 1950) · the main market |
| Must-See | the beaches, the market on Avenue de l'Océan, the Colonne (1868), the pine forest by bike |
| Distance from Bordeaux | about 81 km · about 1 hour and 30 minutes by car (Montalivet-les-Bains) |
Where is Vendays-Montalivet located?
Vendays-Montalivet is located in Gironde, on the Atlantic coast of the Médoc peninsula—a useful clarification, since it is often mistakenly classified as part of the Landes region: here, we are 81 km from Bordeaux, between Soulac-sur-Mer to the north and Hourtin to the south. The municipality has 2,838 residents (2023, up 16% since 2017—one of the highest growth rates in the Médoc), the Residents of Venday, and “more than 30,000” visitors in the summer: the wide disparity among seaside resorts. It is part of the Lesparre-Médoc district and the community of municipalities Médoc Atlantique. Its territory, which covers approximately 101 km² Read from west to east: the beach, the dune, ~6,000 hectares of pine trees, the marshes, then the village—and, beyond that, the first vineyards of the Médoc AOC, whose municipality is part of the region, even though the vineyards don't really begin until you reach the neighboring towns to the east. Two centers shape daily life: the Vendays town centre inland, Montalivet-les-Bains facing the ocean, 8 km away.
The Médoc of the Pines, Next to the Médoc of the Vineyards
The geography of Vendays-Montalivet challenges a clichéd image: the Médoc is not just a wine region. Its Atlantic coastline—from Soulac to Le Porge—is a forested slope, the geological twin of the Landes coast: the same dune ridge, the same stabilizing pine forest, the same tidal flats. The vineyard, meanwhile, lies along the estuary, about ten kilometers to the east—Château d’Escurac and the artisanal wines of the Northern Médoc are the closest neighbors. This dual identity is what makes a stay here so appealing: mornings by the ocean, afternoons in the wine cellars, never more than a half-hour’s drive away. And it explains the two-part etymology of the town’s name: Vendays is said to come from Gaulish vindos-ialo, “the white clearing”; Montalivet honors Count de Montalivet, Minister of the Interior under Napoleon I, who came to take care of the dune stabilization — the man through whom the forest came to be. The double name, however, dates back only to 1950: previously, the town was simply called Vendays.
The demographic contrast says it all about how the town operates: 2,838 residents in the winter, more than 30,000 in the summer—a tenfold increase, driven by the campgrounds in the pine forest and the two naturist villages. But Vendays-Montalivet is not just a seasonal resort: with a 16% increase in residents between 2017 and 2023, it boasts one of the highest rates of permanent growth in the Médoc, driven by remote workers from Bordeaux and young retirees—the ocean, just 1 hour and 30 minutes from the city, is attracting year-round residents. The other side of the postcard lies to the east: the marshes and wetlands (4.7% of the territory), drained along the Deyre River, where herds once grazed and where wading birds now nest. Beach, pine trees, marshes, vineyards: four landscapes in a single town—a complete cross-section of the Médoc.
1852: The Oldest Town on the Gironde Coast
The seaside resort of Montalivet was founded in 1852—one of the very first on the Gironde coast, even before the great boom in Arcachon and Soulac. This forgotten history is evoked by a statue of the Virgin Mary facing the ocean (1868) and a Neo-Gothic church (1867). Here is the verified history.
A resort founded during the Second Empire
When the first beach huts were built in Montalivet in 1852, the trend of swimming in the sea has been around for less than twenty years on this coast: the resort is one of the pioneers from the Gironde region. The context is the large-scale land-use project in the Atlantic Médoc: dune stabilization (the project in which the Count of Montalivet, a minister under Napoleon Ier, to which he had lent his name at the turn of the century), pine tree plantings, and the draining of marshes—the town of Vendays thus gave birth to its “ocean daughter.” Two modest monuments bear witness to this early period: “ The Column " (1868), a statue of the Virgin Mary facing the ocean—the oldest monument in the resort—and the church Saint-Seurin in the town, in the Neo-Gothic style of 1867 — neither classified nor registered, like all other municipal buildings: Vendays-Montalivet is not listed no historic monuments, and guidebooks that refer to a “listed heritage site” are confusing it with other terms that share the same name. The true heritage lies elsewhere: in the sand, the pine trees—and a social revolution that began in 1950.
A Century and a Half of Sea Bathing
Montalivet’s history as a seaside resort has followed the major trends of the past century and a half. After the beach huts of the Second Empire came the Belle Époque villas, then, during the interwar period, the first summer camps, drawn by the sea air and the pine forest. The turning point came after the war: the family campground emerged as the dominant model—pine forests are ideally suited to it—and was soon joined by the invention of the naturist village in 1950, which brought the resort worldwide fame. Today, the town’s layout reflects this layered history: a modest, low-lying waterfront; cathedral-like avenues shaded by pine trees; kilometers of campgrounds blending into the forest—and nowhere to be seen the concrete barriers that disfigure so many coastlines. Montalivet has weathered 170 years of tourism without losing its identity: a resort "popular" in the noble sense, where the market serves as a monument and the dune as the waterfront.
1950: The CHM, the birthplace of organized naturism
On July 23, 1950, Christiane and Albert Lecocq opened the Centre Hélio-Marin de Montalivet. The French Naturist Federation describes the site, which opened in Gironde in 1950, as Europe’s first naturist vacation center; the CHM, for its part, describes itself as the “world’s first naturist vacation village.” The INF-FNI confirms that at the congress held on August 22 and 23, 1953, in Montalivet, its bylaws were approved. The global history of naturism is being written here. Here are the verified facts.
Summer 1950: Fifty Pioneers in the Burned-Out Forest
The adventure began on a modest scale: in the summer of 1950, Christiane and Albert Lecocq, a couple from Arras, settled about fifty pioneers in marabout tents—three bungalows made from concrete left over from the war, and 24 hectares of burned forest leased from the mayor of Vendays. The “Centre Naturiste Hélio-Marin de Guyenne” was born—in the same year, by a delightful coincidence, that the town adopted its dual name, and also the same year that Albert Lecocq founded the French Naturist Federation. The crowning achievement came in 1953: the first Montalivet congress signed the founding documents of the INF-FNI, the International Naturist Federation—the idea had taken root in London during the Festival of Britain—and a monument on site commemorates the event. A village in the Médoc region with a population of two thousand became, in the span of three summers, one of the founding sites of organized international naturism.
The vocabulary itself bears the mark of this history. It is said—the tradition is plausible but poorly sourced, so we present it for what it is—that Lecocq deliberately chose the medical and modest term “helio-marin ” (sun and sea, as in the sanatoriums of the time) rather than “nudist,” and advocated for the term “naturism,” which links nudity to nature and a healthy lifestyle rather than to scandal. The choice proved successful: whereas “nudism” in the 1930s remained scandalous, French-style naturism became a family-friendly, organized, and openly embraced form of tourism—of which Montalivet is the historic showcase. The congresses, the FFN, the INF-FNI: within a decade, the small town in the Médoc region had provided the global movement with its institutions. Few towns with a population of 2,800 can claim such lexical and social legacy.
The oldest in Europe, and one of the largest in the Médoc
Three-quarters of a century later, the CHM and Euronat rank among the largest naturist centers in the Médoc. The sources consulted do not provide area measurements based on strictly comparable boundaries; therefore, no first- or second-place rankings are included here. Montalivet’s historical significance is rooted in the French Naturist Federation’s opening of Europe’s first naturist vacation center in Gironde in 1950, and in the INF-FNI’s founding congress in 1953. For swimming, check on the day of your visit to see which areas are open, their operating hours, and the official guidelines.
Twelve kilometers of beaches, four lifeguard stations
The municipality opens several supervised swimming areas according to a schedule that varies throughout the season. Before going for a swim, check the open stations, hours, flags, and official guidelines on the day of your visit; outside of supervised areas or hours, do not assume that lifeguards are present. Municipal Beach Schedule, accessed July 24, 2026. A consistent beach break with four surf schools: this spot is a sure bet. Here are the verified details.
From the central beach with its endless sands
The area is centered around the main beach, at the end of Avenue de l’Océan: the main lifeguard station, shops just a towel’s throw away, a family-friendly atmosphere—the “clothed” heart of the resort. On either side, the North and South beaches stretch out along the sand, with the CHM naturist beach occupying its own section.
The municipality opens several supervised swimming areas according to a schedule that varies throughout the season. Before going for a swim, check the open stations, hours, flags, and official guidelines on the day of your visit; outside of supervised areas or hours, do not assume that lifeguards are present.
The baïnes The conditions at this west-facing beach break leave no room for improvisation. When it comes to surfing, four schools share the waves: Monta Surf School, Carakas Surf School (since 2005), the Médoc Surf Academy and the Hélio Surf Club, the successors to a local club founded in the 1990s. Twelve kilometers for 2,838 residents: even on August 15, anyone willing to walk ten minutes will find their own sandy desert—that’s the great charm of the Atlantic Médoc.
Understanding the Médoc Ocean
A word on ocean safety, because this coastline has its own rules. The Médoc beach break follows the rhythm of the sandbars, which shift with every storm: the perfect spot one summer may disappear the next—hence the importance of local surf schools, which monitor the sandbars daily. The “baïnes”—those treacherous pools that drain into powerful currents at low tide—are responsible for most accidents: the golden rule is to swim between the flags, where lifeguards keep a close watch on these hazards. The tide reshapes everything twice a day—a vast beach at low tide, a licked-clean dune at high tide—and the best waves for learning are at mid-rising tide. Finally, in winter, storms sculpt the dunes and wash their haul of driftwood onto the sand: the season for walkers, cameras slung over their shoulders. Twelve kilometers of nature lessons, free of charge and renewed with every tide.
The Montalivet Grand Market, 200 stalls overlooking the ocean
Every summer morning, from June 15 to September 15, more than 200 stalls line up at the Montalivet market along Avenue de l’Océan—one of the largest in Gironde (tourist office, hours checked on July 24, 2026): Arcachon oysters, Médoc wines, cheeses, and crafts from five continents. It’s been a tradition for decades. Here’s the verified guide.
Every summer morning, from the tourist office to the waterfront
The routine never changes: from 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. (2 p.m. on weekends and holidays), every day from June 15 to September 15 (Tourist Office, accessed July 24, 2026), the market features more than 200 vendors, stretching from the tourist office all the way to the waterfront.
Here you’ll find the best of the Gironde region—Arcachon oysters to enjoy on the go, AOC Médoc wines and neighboring artisanal vintages, cheeses, poultry, cannelés—and a lively assortment of crafts from all over, from Moroccan baskets to Mexican hammocks. A note from a reliable guide: the superlative “largest open-air market on the Atlantic coast,” which appears on camping websites, is not endorsed by either the town hall or the tourist office—the official description is “one of the largest in the department.”
During the off-season, the covered market takes over every morning except Monday, and the town of Vendays continues to hold its Sunday market on the church square. So, all year round, you can fill your shopping basket—with a view of the ocean in the summer.
The market is more than just a place of business: it is Montalivet’s civic landmark, serving as a cathedral for a resort town with no historic monuments. Generations of vacationers have learned the ropes there—haggling over the price of a basket of peaches, sampling the 9 a.m. oyster, returning year after year to the same cheese vendor—and the market shapes the entire day in the resort town: people “go to the market” before heading to the beach just as they go to Mass. Its economy supports dozens of producers from the Médoc and beyond, and its reputation extends far beyond the town: regulars from Soulac, Hourtin, and Carcans make the trip. A tip from a connoisseur: arrive before 9:30 a.m.—for the best selection, parking, and freshness—and head back along the waterfront, with the 1868 Column as the grand finale.
The largest, Saint-Pierre, in the Landes region: what you often read
Several claims are circulating about Vendays-Montalivet that warrant correction, backed by sources—which is the whole point of a reliable guide. Naturism, the church, the department: here’s what’s true and what’s false.
The Oldest, Not the Largest — and the Lecocq Couple
The most useful correction concerns the CHM. The published area measurements for the CHM and Euronat are not based on strictly comparable boundaries: both are therefore presented as among the largest naturist centers in the Médoc, with no ranking as first or second. The French Naturist Federation dates the opening of Europe’s first naturist vacation center to 1950 in Gironde. The CHM presents itself as the “world’s first naturist vacation village.” The INF-FNI documents separately the congress held on August 22 and 23, 1953, in Montalivet and the approval of its bylaws.
Saint-Seurin, Gironde, and 1852
Additional clarifications. The village church is Saint-Seurin—not “Saint-Pierre”—a Neo-Gothic structure built in 1867, and it is neither classified nor listed: the town has no historic monuments; the “Montalivet” entries in heritage databases refer to places with the same name in the Cher department or elsewhere. The department is Gironde—the Médoc peninsula, Lesparre arrondissement—not Landes, despite what some aggregators, misled by the pine forest, may claim. The resort dates back to 1852, not “the 1860s”—one of the very first on the Gironde coast. The actual population is 2,838 (2023), higher than the figures cited. And the name “Vendays-Montalivet” was adopted in 1950: any earlier mention of the double name is an anachronism. Taken together, these clarifications make for a reliable guide—and spare visitors the trouble of searching for a listed Saint-Pierre Church… that doesn’t exist.
"The 'largest market on the Atlantic Coast'?"
One final superlative to use with caution: the Montalivet market is often described as “the largest market on the Atlantic coast.” The verifiable reality is more modest. It features well over 200 stalls every day from June 15 to September 15, from 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., and ranks among the largest summer markets in Gironde—a fact confirmed by the town hall and the tourist office. However, the title of “largest on the Atlantic coast” is not backed by any official source: it stems from local reputation and campground brochures, not from verified facts.
What is there to do in Vendays-Montalivet?
In Vendays-Montalivet, the areas and times for supervised swimming are confirmed on the day itself; the town also hosts the large summer market, four surf schools, approximately 30 km of bike paths, and two major events: the Show Bike and the Estivales de la BD. Here is a concrete list of the actual, verified activities, along with their dates and locations.
- Beaches — 12 km; check lifeguard stations, hours, flags, and guidelines on the day of your visit
- The Grand Market—200+ stalls, open daily from June 15 to September 15 (8:00 a.m.–1:30 p.m.); indoor market open every morning except Mondays during the off-season
- Surfing — Monta Surf School, Carakas (2005), Médoc Surf Academy, Hélio Surf Club
- Cycling — ~30 km of bike paths; Vélodyssée stages: Soulac → Montalivet (~21 km) and Montalivet → Hourtin-Plage
- The Pins-Marais-Plage Loop — marked trails along the Deyre River, in the hinterland of the Médoc marshes
- The Show Bike — the 30th edition took place from June 26 to 28, 2026; an annual event held in late June (motorcycles, concerts, rides)
- Les Estivales de la BD — Third weekend in July, featuring about 30 authors signing books
- The Column—the 1868 Virgin statue facing the ocean, the oldest monument in the resort
Cycling to Soulac or France's Largest Lake
Cycling is the other local passion: the town boasts some 30 kilometers of bike paths, all shaded by pine trees, and the Vélodyssée passes through here twice. To the north, the Soulac-sur-Mer → Montalivet stage (~21 km) crosses the Grayan Forest—with Euronat on its edge—to the oldest resort in the Médoc and its basilica. To the south, the Montalivet → Hourtin-Plage leg heads due south to Lake Hourtin-Carcans—France’s largest natural freshwater lake: the signature excursion, with a swim in the lake as a reward. Hikers will prefer the marked pine forest–marsh–beach loops along the Deyre River, where the area behind the dunes reveals its secret side: marshes, wet meadows, and birds—4.7% of the municipality’s territory consists of wetlands, the little-known flip side of the seaside postcard. A landscape best savored from the height of your bike handlebars.
The Perfect Day in Montalivet
Here is the sequence that everyone agrees on: market Starting at 9 a.m. — Arcachon oysters for a seaside breakfast, a picnic basket —, central beach late morning when the lifeguards take their posts, a nap under the pine trees during the hottest part of the day, and then, depending on how you feel: bike Toward Soulac through the Grayan Forest, a lesson in surfing at mid-rising tide, or at the bend of the Deyre Marshes during the golden hours, with binoculars around their necks. In the evening, the resort takes on a different vibe: an aperitif as the sun sets—facing due west, the sun dips into the ocean—dinner after a day at the beach, and, on those lovely summer evenings, a Show Bike concert or an Estivales book signing. Wine lover’s alternative: swap the afternoon for the Wineries of the Northern Médoc, just twenty minutes away—the only ocean resort in France where you’re torn between a surfing session and a glass of artisanal wine. It’s precisely because of that dilemma that we keep coming back.
| Activity | Where / When | Good to Know |
|---|---|---|
| Beaches | 12 km of coastline | Open positions, schedules, flags, and instructions to check on the day of the event |
| Large Market | Av. de l'Océan · June 15–September 15, daily | 8 a.m.–1:30 p.m. (2 p.m. on weekends); 200+ booths |
| Surfing | 4 schools on the beaches | west-facing beach break; rip currents = supervised areas |
| Vélodyssée | toward Soulac (21 km) or Hourtin-Plage | ~30 km of trails in the town |
| Show Bike | Every year in late June (30th edition in 2026) | organized by the Outcasts MC |
| Summer Comic Book Festival | Third weekend in July | ~30 authors signing books |
What to see nearby: Soulac, Hourtin, the vineyards
Vendays-Montalivet is active throughout the Nord-Médoc region: Soulac-sur-Mer and its basilica, 18 km away; the Lesparre train station, 22 km away; Hourtin and its giant lake, 28 km away—and the AOC Médoc vineyards just a few minutes to the east. Here are the verified distances.
From the Basilica of Les Sables to France's Largest Lake
To the north, Soulac-sur-Mer (18 km) stands out as the “big sister”: its Notre-Dame-de-la-Fin-des-Terres Basilica—unearthed from the sands in the 19th century and a UNESCO site on the Way of St. James—and its early 1900s villas make it the area’s premier heritage destination; beyond that, the Pointe de Grave and the Verdon ferry open up the estuary and Royan. To the south, Hourtin (28 km) offers access to France’s largest natural freshwater lake—with lake swimming, miniature harbors, and endless trails—extending on to Carcans and Lacanau. Finally, to the east, a whole new world just a quarter of an hour away: Lesparre-Médoc, its TER train station, and the premier crus of the Médoc AOC—with Château d’Escurac being the closest—for an afternoon of wine tasting after a morning by the ocean. This is Montalivet’s greatest asset: three worlds—ocean, lake, and vineyards—within a thirty-minute radius, which you can easily explore with a driver, wine tastings included.
A quick note about the immediate hinterland, which is often overlooked: Lesparre-Médoc, the subprefecture, deserves better than its train station—its Tower of Honor, 14th-century keepe century, is one of the few remaining medieval sites in the Lower Médoc, and its Saturday market serves as a welcome complement to that of Montalivet. The surrounding wine-growing villages—Civrac, Bégadan, Valeyrac—feature rows of Romanesque church steeples and artisanal wines set against a landscape of vineyards and marshes that mass tourism completely overlooks: the Médoc of the Médocans. For a break in nature, the marshes of northern Médoc, nestled between the estuary and the forest, offer bike trails and birdwatching spots for ornithologists. Together, they make for the perfect day trip when you’re not heading to the beach: cultural sites in the morning, wineries at noon, and marshes at sunset—all within a stone’s throw of each other.
| Destination | Distance / time from Montalivet | Must-See |
|---|---|---|
| Soulac-sur-Mer | 18.1 km · 27 min | UNESCO-listed basilica, early 1900s villas, Pointe de Grave |
| Lesparre-Médoc | 21.8 km · 25 min | TER train station, the Tour de l'Honneur, gateway to the vineyards |
| Hourtin | 28.0 km · 29 min | the largest natural freshwater lake in France |
| Euronat (Grayan) | ~10 km · 12 min | one of the largest naturist resorts in the Médoc |
| Carcans | 40.5 km · 42 min | lake, Maubuisson, ocean beaches |
| AOC Médoc Vineyard | ~10–15 km to the east | Artisanal wines from the Northern Médoc, Château d'Escurac |
When should you visit Vendays-Montalivet?
The schedule for lifeguard stations varies throughout the season; the Grand Market, the Show Bike, and the Estivales de la BD also mark the highlights of a visit to Montalivet. Here is the verified schedule.
| Season | What's in Store for You |
|---|---|
| Spring (April–June) | First beach patrols, bike paths just for you, Show Bike in late June (30th edition in 2026) |
| Summer (July–August) | large daily market, swimming areas open according to the official schedule, Comic Book Festival (3rd weekend in July), spectacular spring tides |
| Fall (Sept.–Oct.) | Market through September 15, then the covered market, surfers riding the waves, and grape harvest in the neighboring Médoc region |
| Winter | 12 km of deserted beaches, an indoor market every morning except Monday, and forests and marshes teeming with birds |
Seasonal Tip
The best time is late June: The big market has just opened, and the Show Bike is setting the resort to music — the 30the The event took place from June 26 to 28, 2026 — the open swimming areas need to be checked on the day itself, and not all 30,000 summer visitors have arrived yet.
July and August get the whole machine rolling: a market with 200 stalls every morning, swimming areas open according to the official schedule, and a comic book signing event on the third weekend of July. September is a well-kept secret among regulars: the water is at its warmest, the market runs until the 15th, and the grape harvest begins in the nearby vineyard—the combination of the ocean and the wine cellars at its peak.
In winter, Montalivet goes into hibernation on the beachfront but not when it comes to shopping: the covered market is open every morning except Monday, staying true to the resort’s commercial heritage. A general guideline: The town opens several supervised swimming areas according to a schedule that varies throughout the season. Before going for a swim, check the open stations, hours, flags, and official guidelines on the day of your visit; outside of supervised areas or hours, do not assume that lifeguards are present.
Naturism: What Makes Summer Special
A quick note to help understand the summer crowds, as it sheds light on the choice of dates. The CHM, founded in 1950 in Montalivet, and Euronat, which opened in 1975 in Grayan-et-l'Hôpital, are among the largest naturist resorts in the Médoc region. Since their published area measurements aren’t strictly comparable, no ranking is provided. Those who prefer a quieter resort should aim for May–June or September, before and after the summer peak.
How much does the trip cost, and how do I get there?
A private transfer from Bordeaux to Montalivet-les-Bains costs 158 € in Economy class (1–3 passengers), a fixed price provided in advance, for approximately 81 km and a 1-hour-30-minute drive—the town of Vendays is 80 km away (1 hour and 30 minutes). If you don’t have a car, the TER train serves Lesparre-Médoc, 22 km away. Here’s an honest comparison of the options.
By car from Bordeaux
The route winds through the Médoc: the bypass, then the D1215 toward Lesparre through vineyards and pine forests, and the D102 due west to the ocean—about 81 km, 1 hour and 30 minutes to Montalivet-les-Bains. There are no highways here: the peninsula is worth the effort, and Sunday evening traffic in the summer notoriously clogs the D1215—plan ahead or have dinner there. With a chauffeured transfer, the trip is door-to-door—from your home, Mérignac Airport, or Saint-Jean train station to the resort, the CHM, or the campground— with surfboards and bikes loaded, without having to search for a parking spot upon arrival: Avenue de l’Océan gets jam-packed as early as the morning in August, thanks to market days. The price is fixed and quoted before the trip: 158 € in Economy class; a van for up to 7 passengers is available upon request. And to combine the ocean and the vineyards—a morning at the beach, an afternoon in the Nord-Médoc wine cellars—the driver takes you from one stop to the next while you enjoy wine tastings.
Without a car: Lesparre, then the road
The nearest train station is Lesparre-Médoc (21.8 km, ~25 minutes), on the Médoc line (TER Nouvelle-Aquitaine from Bordeaux-Saint-Jean, with extensions to Soulac and Pointe de Grave in the summer). From there, connections to the coast are limited: you’ll need to finish the trip by car. For travelers with luggage, the smoothest option is still a private transfer all the way from Bordeaux—the route is one of the shortest along the Atlantic coast—or taking the TER to Lesparre followed by a driver for the final quarter-hour. Once there, cycling reigns supreme: the resort is flat, the bike paths wind through the pine trees toward both Soulac and Hourtin, and the market is within walking distance from all the campgrounds. The Médoc equation in all its simplicity: plan your trip, and spend your stay cycling—between tides.
One last practical tip: On days when the big market is held, Avenue de l’Océan is partially closed to traffic starting in the morning—getting dropped off upstream from the station, on the forest side, saves you twenty minutes of maneuvering; and on Sunday evenings in August, it’s better to have dinner there and head back after dark than to tackle the D1215 during the evening rush hour.
| Option | Duration | What You Need to Know |
|---|---|---|
| Private Chauffeur (Door-to-Door) | ~1 hour 30 minutes | 157 € (1–3 passengers), fixed price; van for up to 7 passengers available upon request |
| Personal car | ~1 hour 30 minutes | D1215, then D102; busy Sunday return trips in the summer |
| TER from Bordeaux to Lesparre + drive | ~1 hr + 25 min | 22 km remaining without reliable public transportation |
| Vélodyssée (cyclotourism) | steps | Soulac → Montalivet ~21 km; Montalivet → Hourtin-Plage |
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Vendays-Montalivet located?
In Gironde, on the Atlantic coast of the Médoc Peninsula—not in the Landes region, despite the pine forest. The town (population 2,838 in 2023; its residents are known as Vendaysins) is part of the Lesparre-Médoc district and the Médoc Atlantique Community of Communes, located between Soulac-sur-Mer to the north and Hourtin to the south. It is divided into two areas 8 km apart: the town of Vendays inland, and Montalivet-les-Bains facing the ocean. From Bordeaux, it’s about 81 km and a 1-hour-30-minute drive via the D1215—one of the shortest routes to the ocean.
Why is Montalivet considered the birthplace of naturism?
The French Naturist Federation states that Europe’s first naturist vacation center opened in Gironde in 1950. The CHM claims on its own website that it is “the world’s first naturist vacation village.” The INF-FNI confirms that at the world congress held on August 22 and 23, 1953, in Montalivet, the federation’s name was adopted and its bylaws approved.
Is the CHM the largest naturist center in Europe?
The sources currently linked do not publish area measurements based on a strictly comparable perimeter. The CHM and Euronat are therefore listed as among the largest naturist centers in the Médoc, with no specific ranking as first or second. For information on capacity, access, and beach supervision, please consult the official information in effect on the day of your visit.
How much does a trip from Bordeaux to Montalivet cost with a
chauffeur service?
A private transfer from Bordeaux to Montalivet-les-Bains costs 158 € in Economy class (1–3 passengers), with a fixed price provided before the trip—no meter and no surprise surcharges. The trip covers approximately 81 km in 1 hour and 30 minutes via the D1215 and D102, door-to-door: from your home, Mérignac Airport, or Saint-Jean Train Station to the resort, the CHM, or your campground. A van for up to 7 passengers is available upon request, with space for surfboards and bicycles included. The town of Vendays, 80 km away, can be reached in 1 hour and 30 minutes.
What is there to do in Vendays-Montalivet?
Swim along 12 km of beaches (lifeguard stations open; opening hours, flags, and guidelines to be checked on the day itself), stroll through the large daily summer market (over 200 stalls from June 15 to September 15), surf with one of the four schools, bike along the ~30 km of trails and the Vélodyssée (Soulac 21 km away, Hourtin-Plage due south), follow the pine forest-marshes-beach loops along the Deyre River, pay your respects to the 1868 Column—and get excited about the two annual events: Show Bike in late June, the Estivales de la BD on the third weekend of July.
On what day is the Montalivet market held?
Every day during the summer: June 15 through September 15, from 8:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. (2:00 p.m. on weekends and holidays), more than 200 stalls line Avenue de l’Océan, from the tourist office to the waterfront—Arcachon oysters, Médoc wines, cheeses, and crafts from around the world; it’s one of the largest markets in Gironde. During the off-season, the covered market takes over every morning except Monday, and the town of Vendays continues to hold its Sunday market on the church square.
Are the beaches in Montalivet patrolled?
The municipality opens several supervised swimming areas according to a schedule that varies throughout the season. Before going for a swim, check the open stations, hours, flags, and official guidelines on the day of your visit; outside of supervised areas or hours, do not assume that lifeguards are present.
Is it possible to visit the Médoc vineyards from Montalivet?
Yes, and that’s the highlight of the trip: the town is located within the Médoc AOC region, and the premier crus are about ten kilometers to the east — Château d’Escurac and the artisanal wines of the Nord-Médoc are right next door, around Civrac and Lesparre. The signature combination: mornings by the ocean and at the market, afternoons in the wine cellars—all within a half-hour drive. In September, during the grape harvest, the experience is at its peak. Having a driver allows you to go from one tasting to the next without limit.
What is the Montalivet Show Bike?
The big motorcycle rally on the Atlantic Coast, organized by the Outcasts MC: three days of Harleys, concerts, and rides to kick off the summer season—the 30th edition took place from June 26 to 28, 2026, and the event returns every late June. The resort also hosts, in a more laid-back atmosphere, the Estivales de la BD on the third weekend of July, featuring around thirty authors signing their works. Two sides of the same tradition: Montalivet loves popular events, in keeping with its daily market.
What is the closest train station to Montalivet?
Lesparre-Médoc, 21.8 km away (about a 25-minute drive), is served by the Médoc—TER Nouvelle-Aquitaine line from Bordeaux-Saint-Jean, with summer extensions to Soulac and Pointe de Grave. There are no reliable public transportation options to reach the coast from there: you’ll need to finish the trip by car. Most visitors without a car opt for a direct private transfer from Bordeaux (81 km, ~1 hr 30 min, 158 € in Economy) — especially since it’s one of the shortest ocean-bound trips departing from the mainland.
When is the best time to visit Vendays-Montalivet?
Late June for the opening of the main market and the annual Show Bike (30th edition in 2026); midsummer for the full lineup—daily market, swimming areas open according to the official schedule, Comic Book Summer Festival—; in September for the warmest water, the market running through the 15th, and the grape harvest in neighboring Médoc. The town opens several supervised swimming areas according to a schedule that varies throughout the season. Before going for a swim, check the open stations, hours, flags, and official guidelines on the day of your visit; outside supervised areas or hours, do not assume that lifeguards are present. In winter, the resort goes into hibernation on the ocean side but keeps its covered market open every morning except Monday—and offers 12 km of deserted beaches for walkers.
Where does the name Vendays-Montalivet come from?
A blend of two eras. “Vendays” is said to derive from the Gallic term *vindos-ialo*, meaning “the white clearing”—the town’s historical name. “Montalivet” honors Jean-Pierre Bachasson, Count of Montalivet, Minister of the Interior under Napoleon I, who came to oversee dune stabilization efforts in the early 19th century; the seaside resort founded in 1852 took its name from him. The compound name “Vendays-Montalivet” dates back only to 1950—the very year, by a happy coincidence, that the CHM opened its doors and brought the village into the global history of naturism.
Further Reading
- The jewel of the Côte d'Argent: see the Mimizan Guide (UNESCO-listed bell tower and Churchill's summers, in the Landes region)
- The Southern Marine Lake: See the Vieux-Boucau Guide (Port d'Albret and the Course Landaise)
- The Surfing Capital: See the Hossegor Guide (marine lake and Basque-Landes villas)
- The only port in the Landes region: see the Capbreton Guide (pier, "gouf," and on-dock sales)
- Book your trip: view the Bordeaux → Vendays-Montalivet transfer or browse all our destinations
Sources and References
- Wikipedia — Vendays-Montalivet — Population: 2,838 (2023); town founded in 1852; has had a double name since 1950; no listed historic monuments; Saint-Seurin (1867) and La Colonne (1868); etymology: vindos-ialo
- French Naturist Federation — Questions and Answers — Europe's first naturist vacation center, opened in Gironde in 1950; accessed July 24, 2026
- INF-FNI — History of the International Naturist Federation — Congress held on August 22 and 23, 1953, in Montalivet; selection of the name and approval of the bylaws; accessed July 24, 2026
- Vendays-Montalivet Town Hall — Main Market: 200+ stalls daily from June 15 to September 15, 8:00 a.m.–1:30 p.m.; indoor market open off-season every morning except Monday
- Vendays-Montalivet City Hall — The Beach — Detailed lifeguard station schedules, 2025 municipal calendar, accessed July 24, 2026; check the current edition on the day you plan to swim
- CHM Montalivet (official) — the center describes itself as the “world’s first naturist vacation village”; check the official website for its history and access information
- The Vélodyssée — stages: Soulac-sur-Mer → Montalivet (~21 km) and Montalivet-les-Bains → Hourtin-Plage, toward France's largest natural freshwater lake
- Show Bike Montalivet — annual motorcycle rally held in late June; 30th edition to be held June 26–28, 2026 (Outcasts MC)
Article updated in July 2026.
Heading to the Atlantic Médoc
Direct transfer from Bordeaux (~1 hour 30 minutes via the D1215) to Vendays-Montalivet, its beaches, and its market—from your home, the airport, or the train station to the resort, the CHM, or the campground, with surfboards and bikes included; then Soulac or the vineyards as an optional stop.
