Talbert Pipes Life in France Places La Baule La Baule is the Loire-Atlantique's Myrtle Beach, a major tourist spot where rows of huge hotels line the 12+ km beach. We rarely go there, and never in summer, when the entire beach is carpeted by tourists. These pics were taken after the season was over, by night. La Baule is a great place to compare and contrast building styles, and one can walk across a hundred years from block to block. A great example of the above comment. La Baule is a very odd place, with that hot/cold ambiance of tourist towns. In the winter, it is quite desolate and the huge hotels stand mostly empty, awaiting summer visitors and their money. One also sees some really odd things in La Baule from time to time, because of its internationalism. Here's a familiar sight from the US - something I cannot imagine having to buy gas for and drive on the tiny French roads!