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Noirmoutier-en-l'Île

Noirmoutier-en-l'Île
The church and the château in Noirmoutier-en-Île
The church and the château in Noirmoutier-en-Île
Coat of arms of Noirmoutier-en-l'Île
Coat of arms
Noirmoutier-en-l'Île is located in France
Noirmoutier-en-l'Île
Noirmoutier-en-l'Île
Coordinates: 47°00′16″N 2°15′12″W / 47.0044°N 2.2533°W / 47.0044; -2.2533Coordinates: 47°00′16″N 2°15′12″W / 47.0044°N 2.2533°W / 47.0044; -2.2533
Country France
Region Pays de la Loire
Department Vendée
Arrondissement Les Sables-d'Olonne
Canton Noirmoutier-en-l'Île
Government
 • Mayor (2008–2020) Noël Faucher
Area1 19.59 km2 (7.56 sq mi)
Population (2011)2 4,550
 • Density 230/km2 (600/sq mi)
Time zone CET (UTC+1)
 • Summer (DST) CEST (UTC+2)
INSEE/Postal code 85163 / 85330
Elevation 0–20 m (0–66 ft)
(avg. 7 m or 23 ft)

1 French Land Register data, which excludes lakes, ponds, glaciers > 1 km² (0.386 sq mi or 247 acres) and river estuaries.

2Population without double counting: residents of multiple communes (e.g., students and military personnel) only counted once.

1 French Land Register data, which excludes lakes, ponds, glaciers > 1 km² (0.386 sq mi or 247 acres) and river estuaries.

Noirmoutier-en-l'Île, commonly referred to as Noirmoutier, is a commune located in the northern part of the island of Noirmoutier, just off the coast of the Vendée department in the Pays de la Loire region in western France.

The history of the town began with the arrival of the monk Saint Philibert in 674 who founded a monastery. The Château de Noirmoutier dates from the 11th and 12th century. In summer the area is a tourist resort.

Noirmoutier-en-l'Île is situated to the north of the island of Noirmoutier, in the Atlantic Ocean. The commune covers the northern point of the island, and contains three villages: Noirmoutier, L'Herbaudiere and Le Vieil. L'Herbaudiere is a noted port and is managed by the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Vendée. The unusual location relative to the town and economic might of the village encouraged from time to time its inhabitants to seek the establishment of an independent commune from Noirmoutier-en-l'Île. Le Vieil is also located on the north coast within the commune, and is a typical village consisting of houses on traditional narrow lanes. During the summer it becomes a resort with holidaymakers. An inventor Brutus de Villeroi tested the first French submarine in the village on 12 August 1832. An old street bears his name.

Noirmoutier is home to the most expensive potatoes in the world. Known as "La Bonnotte", only around 100 tons of this top quality potato are cultivated annually and it is harvested only on the island Noirmoutier. The cost of one kilogram can reach €500 (US $322 per pound), but the potatoes are normally sold for around €70 per kilo (US $45 per pound). The cost is attributed to the fact that this type of potato is almost extinct because it must be harvested by hand. The potato fields also require fertilization by seaweed in a climate shaped by the nearby sea. The presence of algae and seaweed in the soil is responsible for the potato's earthy and salty flavor. Because the variety is delicate and its tuber remains attached to its stem, the potato must be picked and not torn. The potatoes are generally served in top class restaurants in France and the Netherlands in mid-May.


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