Our tipsters share their French delights, from fresh oysters and mountain trains to surf beaches and pretty harbour towns

A world away from the popular resorts and marinas of the central Vendée is L’île de Noirmoutier. The unpretentious and reasonably priced L’Océane stands out among the peninsula’s seafood bars and is always our first port of call. Behind its unprepossessing exterior, the freshest oysters with bread, butter and lemon are a mere €8.90 for a half dozen. There are even cheaper plates of simple shellfish – clams and winkles – and piping hot moules frites for just €11.90. La belle vie, quoi.
Morag Sweeting