Calling all Noirmoutier experts!

[andthebandmarchedon]

Hello all!
I’ve trawled all the existing info here and googled endlessly. We have decided on Noirmoutier for our July holiday. First time visiting and we love Ile de Re and Ile d’Oleron, so I’m pretty sure it’s a good fit. My question is about the best area to base ourselves. We want a little house rental / gite where we can walk to the beach and to restaurants and cafes. We don’t need loads of choice so not sure with the town of Noirmoutier is the place or whether somewhere like Le Vieil will have enough to offer. We are happy to cycle everywhere although can someone please reassure me that the cycle paths don’t have cars? Is Noirmoutier town very pretty or not? I can’t get a sense of whether it’s a nice base. For comparison, I love La Flotte but don’t want anything much bigger than that. We would like to eat out once a day somewhere we don’t have to drive to.
All advice gratefully received! Thank you.

If I recall correctly, you can get most places on cycle paths (which are car free) and occasionally use quieter roads.
It's a fab place for giving the car a rest after getting there.
We stayed at the campsite just outside the town of Noirmoutier and found it to be a good location. Easy cycle in to town along the sea wall. Town was nice to wander around.

Great. Thanks so much for your reply @House4DS. Sounds like it will work well for us.
I’m now rethinking the self catering plan as have found a lovely hotel with pool that is the same price as most gites. The thought of not having to even prepare and clear away breakfast is very appealing! Picnics for lunch and out for dinner. Might well go with that.

@andthebandmarchedon that sounds brilliant! Particularly as you were planning on dinners out anyway. Hope you have a fab time.

Thank you. Getting rather excited now as it looks really lovely! Just hope my kids won’t find it too tranquil as they’re now old teenagers, but hey ho. We want something relaxed!