An exceptional coastline
With over 250 km of coastline, the Vendée offers excellent quality bathing watersexcellent quality. A truly favoured Atlantic holiday destination for the whole family, the Vendée’s seaside tradition spans 18 renowned resorts, 5 marinas and over 1,800 km of cycle paths.
As the starting point of the Vendée Globe, the resort of Les Sables d’Olonne is a must-visit. With its lively atmosphere andretro atmosphere, you’ll be charmed by La Chaume, an authentic fishing village.
Saint Jean de Monts, with its 8 km of beaches, boasts numerous activity areas dedicated to children: on foot, by by bike or in a sailing cart… it’s up to them to choose! You’ll also find footpaths and cycle routes winding through the seaside, dunes, woodland and marshes.
The charming seaside resort of Saint Gilles Croix de Vie, is the oldest port in the Vendée. Itis a favourite spot for lovers of the sea, the beach or holidays. Its 3.5 kilometres of beaches allow you to enjoy swimming, water sports or fishing.
In the southern Vendée on the Atlantic coast, La Tranche-sur-Mer boasts 13 km of fine sandy beaches. Its white houses and narrow streets give it a southern charm that attracts families, sun-seekers, waves and thrills.
|
©simonbourcier.com
|
|
©A.Lamoureux
|
The charm of its islands
Noirmoutier
The&island of Noirmoutier, comprises four parishes, ten hamlets with low, whitewashed houses topped with pink tiles, a town and lively villages, beaches and forests, harbours and marshes… full of life and authenticity.
Yeu
The island of Yeu lies 17 km off the Vendée coast. The island’s 23 km² of land offers a wide variety of landscapes: long beaches and coastal dunes; a wild coastline enclosing coves of golden sand; sunken paths running alongside the cliffs; and a bocage landscape of numerous small plots where low houses with tiled roofs and colourful shutters nestle. With a population of 5,000 inhabitants, a quarter of whom are under 25, the Île d’Yeu is a vibrant and welcoming place. Access to the Île d’Yeu by boat is available from three different ports: Fromentine (all year round), St-Gilles Croix de Vie (from April &September) and Noirmoutier (April to September).
|
Puy du Fou
Get ready to a journey through time! Escape to Puy du Fou for an unforgettable break with family or friends… A day at Puy du Fou is full of adventure, brimming withaction and offer a real breath of fresh air away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Travel through the centuries in the heart of unspoilt natural surroundings and enjoy a unique experience!
La Cinéscénie: Nearly 12 million spectators, 20,000 actors on a 23-hectare stage, 24,000 costumes, 1 hour 40 minutes of spectacular entertainment and plenty of new features… the world’s biggest night-time show has become an unmissable legend.
|
©Stéphane Audra
|
|
©Pierre Ollier / Onshore Studio
|
Lush countryside: the Marais Poitevin
Pushed back by alluvial deposits from the watercourses, the ocean gave way to a vast marshland developed by humans. Initially under the guidance of the monks of the Cistercian and Benedictine abbeys, and later at the request of Henry IV, the inhabitants dug canals and built dykes across 37,000 hectares to drain and cultivate the land…
The Marais Poitevin has become a mysteriouslabyrinth of canals that harbours architectural treasures: the ruins of Maillezais Abbey, and churches whose portals offer lessons in history. The Marais Mouillé, the Marais Dessé, and the Polders… all these landscapes contribute to the rich flora and fauna of the Marais Poitevin, captivating nature lovers whilst offering others the chance to enjoy boat trips, walking trails and the sea-scented flavours of L’Aiguillon Bay. This region, with its thousands of waterways, pulses to the rhythm of the boats gliding peacefully by, immersing you in a gentle melody set against enchanting and unique scenery.
|
The South Vendée: a land of history and culture
The Southern Vendée appeals to lovers of history and culture partly because of its rich variety of architectural styles.
You can explore the towns of Luçon – where Richelieu served as a young bishop – and Fontenay-le-Comte. With its private mansions and shaded parks, the latter boasts, within its conservation area,1,700 listed buildings and 86 hectares, earning it the prestigious ‘City of Art and History’ designation! For your visit, follow the &‘A Thousand Years of History’ route, taking in Place Belliard, Parc Baron and Rue des Loges with its half-timbered houses.
A little further north of Fontenay Le Comte, come and discover the small town of Vouvant. Perhaps you’ll catch a glimpse of the sinuous silhouette of the fairy Melusine, who watches over the treasures of the Medieval Town, listed as &“one of the Most Beautiful Villages in France”.
|
©Pierre Ollier / Onshore Studio
|
©simonbourcier.com
|
The Vendée Bocage
Nestled in the shelter of the hills that extend from the Armorican Massif as far asthe Seuil du Poitou, the Bocage Vendéen holds a place all of its own amongst the diverse terroirs of our department.
The Bocage is, first and foremost, a landscape, with its hedgerows, its sunken lanes, its crosses and arches at the crossroads of the country lanes, its cottages and farms closely intertwined… But it is also a history. The Vendée Bocage is populated by Gallic warriors and Roman legionaries from Mont Mercure to Mont des Alouettes, haunted at Tiffauges or Pouzauges by Gilles de Rais, Marshal of France and comrade-in-arms of Joan of Arc, evangelised by the disciples of Father de Montfort, who is buried in Saint-Laurent-sur-Sèvre.
|
A rich culinary tradition
Have you ever heard of garlic-flavoured préfou, trouspinette or even tourtisseaux? These are typical dishes from the Vendé! So many g&gastronomic specialities, each one more delicious than the last, which we invite you to come and discover in our beautiful region.
An article on all the Vendée specialities awaits you on our blog – do pop over and have a look.
|
©simonbourcier.com
|
|
|
A wide range of activities
Between land and sea, the Vendée offers you the chance to enjoy a variety ofactivities such as cycling along its 1,800 km of cycle paths, hiking along the wild coastline, for example, water sports such as surfing or stand-up paddleboarding, or even visiting the many tourist attractions, each one more enriching than the last.
Something to satisfy the interests of young and old alike!
|
A land of events
Experience the great Vendée Globe race, which takes place every four years, starting from Les Sables d’Olonne! Known throughout the world, the Vendée Globe is a round-the-world solo sailing race with no stopovers and no outside assistance. See you on 8 November 2020 for the next start!
What’s more, if you visited the Vendée this summer, you may well havehave attended the Grand Départ of the Tour de France on 7 and 8 July – it was an honour for the department to have hosted this renowned race.
Don’t hesitate to book your accommodation so you can attend all these major events!
|
|
|
|
Wellness spaces
The Vendée also welcomes you for wellness breaks at its two thalassotherapy centres in Saint-Jean-de-Mont and Les Sables d’Olonne. Situated by the sea, in a setting perfect for relaxation, these centres offer a range of treatment programmes to suit everyone. Please do not hesitate to ask us for a selection of accommodation options near the thalassotherapy centres!
|