St-Gilles-les-Bains & l’Hermitage-les-Bains

Introducing St-Gilles-les-Bains & l’Hermitage-les-Bains

Robinson Crusoe–style beaches and pristine wilderness, oh no no! The tourism machine shifts into overdrive in the large resort complex of St-Gilles and L’Hermitage (as they are usually known), with white sands, restaurants, nightclubs and a boisterous atmosphere on weekends. St-Gilles and L’Hermitage are where the real action is, if by ‘action’ you mean pretty beaches, pretty people and pretty dreadful hangovers. During the week, however, the atmosphere is much more relaxed and you shouldn’t have to fight for a space to lay your towel. There are numerous water activities on offer, from diving to deep-sea fishing. The surf here isn’t bad either; many amateurs hone their skills in St-Gilles before attempting the more challenging swells at St-Leu.

Let’s be frank: it’s got that generic resort feel and there’s no discernible Creole chara­cter. Those travellers seeking traditional Creole flavour might come away slightly ­disappointed.

Don’t get us wrong, though: plenty of people do enjoy themselves in St-Gilles, and it’s a great place to meet Zoreilles from every corner of, well, France. But if a beachfront full of Gallic passers-by isn’t your thing, here’s the antidote: clunk your safety belt, jump on a serpentine country road and drive up to some rustic and authentic villages in the Hauts!

Last updated: Feb 17, 2009