La Vendee - lots to see and do, for all the family
Whatever your interests, there are lots or holiday activities and fascinating sites to visit - Get the essential guide  Chateaux and historic towns, beautiful gardens, water sports, wine producers, picturesque villages and fishing ports, romantic islands, good golf courses, cycle routes and rambling trails. Ideal base for exploring further afield - Futuroscope at Poitiers, chateaux and vinyards of the Loire valley, Cognac... Something for everyone... Looking for holiday accommodation? Gites, Cottages and Villas in Vendee |
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| Holiday activities Bathing: Many beaches have areas with life-guards offering safe bathing for all ages. See Angela Bird's beaches page Golf: Anywhere in the Vendee, you are not far from a good golf course - La Domangere (Nesmy), Coex, Port Bourgenay, La Rochelle, Cholet, Niort. See Formule Golf. Fishing: Freshwater fishing on the many rivers and lakes (permits available locally). Sea fishing trips from most of the coastal ports and resorts. "Pescalis" fishing park, near La Chataigneraie. See Angela Bird's fishing page. |
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| Cycling: You will find a well signed trail along the coast and several inland itineries - ask at the nearest tourist office. The forest of Mervent/Vouvent offers excellent possibilities. See Angela Bird's cycling page. Sailing: Beginners and children can take lessons at La Tranche-sur-Mer on a specially prepared lagoon. Windsurfing: The coast is well loved by windsurfing enthusiasts, particularly around Jard-sur-Mer and la Tranche-sur-Mer. Several of the inland lakes also offer possibilities for windsurfing. Surfing: Les Conches, or La Pointe du Payre are popular sites. |
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| Micro-lights: Initiation available near La Tranche-sur-Mer. Also light aircraft flights over the coast and islands. See site. Hot-air ballooning: Initiation flights available in the north of the Vendee. Montgolfiere du Bocage can also offer to arrange individual flights starting near your holiday property - ideal for a special celebration. Go-karts: Just inland from La Tranche sur Mer at La Noziere / La Jonchere. Children from 7 years upwards. Tree-adventure parks: One near Moutiers les Mauxfaits and one near Jard sur Mer (Pointe du Payre). See Indian Forest. Naturism: There is a nudist beach to the south of La Faute sur Mer, towards the point. |
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| Things to do and places to visit: Le Puy du Fou - This famous history theme park is unique in Europe, offering a full day out, packed with fun for all ages, including a Roman amphitheatre with chariot races and gladiators, falconry displays and recreated villages from several different periods of history. The 'Grand Park' with its day-time attractions is open to visitors, without reservation, throughout the season and there is night-time 'son-et-lumiere' open air theatre for which you need to book months in advance (but well worth it!). See their web site. Exotic gardens of Court d'Aron - St Cyr-en-Talmondais. Thousands of rare plants in a delightful setting. Spectacular lotus flower lakes in bloom from June to September. See Court d'Aron. |
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| Perfumed Gardens at Coex - Unique collection of fragrant plants from all over the world, boutique of natural perfumes. See site. Museum of Prehistory, St Hilaire la Foret - Reconstructions of stone-age life, museum. See site. Steam Railway, Mortagnes sur Sevre - 22km of train ride between Mortagnes & Les Herbiers through picturesque valleys and over impressive viaducts. See site. Velo-Rail, Commequiers - 10km ride through the countryside on a pedal-driven rail cart along the former railway lines. See site. Also at Commequiers - medieval chateau - See site. |
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| Automobile Museum, Talmont St Hilaire - Over 200 vehicles from 1885 to the present day, including several unique prototypes. See site. Chateau de la Guignardiere, Avrille - Furnished Renaissance chateau to visit, children's treasure trail, vast park. See site. Salt Marshes, Les Sables d'Olonne - Guided boat trips through the salt marshes, see traditional salt production and fabulous wild-life. Zoo, Les Sables d'Olonne - Over 200 animals in semi-liberty in this attractive, well-maintained park. Aquariums - At Port Bourgenay and, of course, at La Rochelle. |
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| Green Venice - Many villages in the south-east corner of the Vendee offer punt hire or guided trips (Velluire, Vix, Damvix, Maillezais). Maillezais offers a good restaurant next to the embarcation as well as the ruined abbey to visit. Historic towns and villages: Fontenay-le-Comte: Has a splendid boulevard, the river Vendee, an historic old quarter and a chateau to visit. Lucon: Charming town, with an impressive cathedral and gardens to visit. Pouzauges: Existing since medeival times, one of the most fascinating towns in the 'Bocage'. Remarkable 12th century chateau. Clisson: Very picturesque, with its chateau on the river bank. |
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| Tiffauges: 'Blue Beard Chateau', (medeival warefare displays), model village, picnic spots on the river bank. La Rochelle: Just south of the Vendee, in Charente Maritime. The old port with its famous street cafés and restaurants and the historic town centre are well worth a visit, as is the fabulous aquarium. Boat trips to La Rochelle from some of the Vendee's coastal resorts. Nantes: Well worth a visit, for its splendid architecture, great shopping and the excellent choice of restaurants in the old quarter. Vouvant: Art exhibitions throughout the village in the summer. See this site for details (French) Vouvant Islands: Island of Ré: Reached by bridge from La Rochelle, or by boat from some of the coastal resorts. Charming port of St Martin-sur-Re, beaches, lighthouse to visit, cycling in the salt-marshes. |
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| Island of Yeu: 1 hour by boat from St Gilles Croix de Vie or Fromentine. Really beautiful. You can go right round by bicycle in a day (hire available), passing sandy beaches, wild moorland and rocky coves. Noirmoutier: Linked to the mainland by bridge and by the famous causeway (Le Gois), exposed at low tide. Ferries to the islands What's on during the season: See Angela Bird's calendar of events. See the Vendee on video. |
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Sand dunes - La Faute s/mer |
Town of La Rochelle |
Cliff-top walk - Port Bourgenay |
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Home Page | Browse all properties | The Vendee | Offers | Travel | About Us