Vendee
The Vendee region also boasts a fantastic sunshine record which is equal to the French Riviera. Approximately 2,500 hours of sunshine along the miles of Vendee's great sandy beaches.
Principal seaside resorts are:
- St Jean-De-Monts
- La Tranche-Sur-Mer
- Les Sables-D'Olonne
- St Gilles-Croix-De-Vie
For the children
The Grand Parc of the Puy du Fou® and the Cinéscénie®
LE GRAND PARC OF THE PUY DU FOU®
Get ready for a journey through time!
Escape to the Grand Parc of the Puy du Fou, for an unforgettable holiday with family or friends!
At the heart of the fantastic forest of Puy du Fou, a vast wooded land of 40 hectares, treat yourself to a deep intake of fresh, natural air – and let yourself be carried away in a whirlwind of shows and entertainment that will take your breath away. Each village represents a different era. Immerse yourself in the ambience of long-gone centuries, dive into the heart of the action and excitement of legendary heroes: Relive the games of the Roman circus, the Viking attacks, the jousting tournaments, the musketeer combats, the ancestral art of falconry, the skills of our craftsmen and the street theatre… You will relive 2,000 years of the History of France. You will never have been left with so many memories from a single experience.
Océanile, the Noirmoutier island’s water park
Océanile, the water park on the Noirmoutier island, offers a veritable avalanche of thrills and spills. Wave pool, water slides, rapids, slow-flowing river, whirlpool bath, inflatable rings, geyser, waterfall and a host of child’s water games: the choice of activities is huge. And don’t forget the special child’s play area. Catering facilities on site.
Opening times:
From 24/06 to 5/09: every day from 10.00 am to 7.00 pm
Admission:
Adult: 19,50 €
Child: (- 11): 14,50 €
OCEANILE, LE PARC AQUATIQUE DE L’ILE DE NOIRMOUTIER
Site des Oudinières
Route de Noirmoutier
85740 L’EPINE
tél. 02 51 35 91 35 – fax 02 51 39 88 12
The Vendee has a fine selection of golf courses available to use. Situated in beautiful surroundings these fantastic courses can’t fail to please even the most seasoned golfers.
Port – Bourgenay is one of the most popular courses in the Vendee. The course is situated on the edge of the ocean and borders an enclosed forest. The course also overlooks the Port of Bourgenay.
(18 holes, par 72, 6392 yd)
Architect: P. Thevenin.
Formule Golf Pass
If you intend to play a lot of golf during your stay it is possible buy a formule golf pass which entitles you to unlimited use within a certain amount of days. For more information about the formule golf pass or details of other courses in the Vendee please visit www.formule-golf.com and click onto the “Pays de Loire” section.
Fishing
Its fishing is one of the Vendée’s undeniable assets. Sea-fishing, shellfish hunting on the beach, surf-casting by the sea and freshwater fishing are all pastimes you can enjoy.
For the youngest in the family, there are camps focussing on the discovery of fishing and nature, while for practised anglers there are five reservoirs where you can fish for zander and perch.
Devotees of night-fishing can choose from among several stretches of carp streams, and you can also fish for eels.
You will need a holiday licence to fish ( Carte Peche-Vacances) These are available from tackle shops. ( The locations of the tackle shops are available from the tourist office as well as the locations of local fishing lakes and rivers)
The licence costs around £20. The Vendée is a true paradise for fishermen.
Sea fishing
Boat trips are available from the fishing ports of St Gilles-Croix-de Vie and Les Sables-d-Olonne. Take advantage of the experience of the local fishermen as they quide you out to the best spots for catching fish.
Cycling
Explore Vendée by bike
Vendée now offers a vast network of excellent quality cycle tracks for riding in complete safety. So far, 765 km of cycle tracks have been created, and by 2010, it will be possible to undertake a complete tour of Vendée by bike, over more than 1,000 km. On the cycle tracks, everything has been put in place to ensure maximum safety: designated cycle lanes or on very quiet roads, the necessary signposting...
To optimize your pleasure, cycle tracks pass through remarkable site landscapes:
The length of the coast (285 km): tracks offer a multitude of direct access paths to the beach, whilst enabling full appreciation of an enchanting scenery between marsh, dunes, rocky coastline and seaside resorts.
In the Poitevin Marshes (200 km): from Maillezais to L’Aiguillon sur Mer, explore 200 km of cycle track, alongside the canals. The light, peacefulness and change of scene will always accompany you.
The Bocage (280 km): The particularity of this pathway is the use of quiet, agricultural roads and paths, which will take you right into the authentically natural world. Over 27 km, you will find the track easily navigable, because it was created on the path of an old railway.
Vendee’s network of cycle tracks has the benefit of always being in perfect harmony with the natural elements. And to make your outing even more pleasant, picnic areas, safety barriers and guard rails have been provided along the entire length of the tracks wherever necessary.
Surfing
Seaside activities:
Funboarding
As a coastal department, the Vendée has always been open to the sea and its influences.
Its special position, its winds and its sun offer opportunities, to beginners as well as enthusiasts, to enjoy all forms and variations of sailing and water sports along its 250 km of coastline. So take to the sea, whether in an old fully-rigged ship or a small sailing boat... Who knows, perhaps one day it’ll lead you to set off on the Vendée Globe!
Surfing
All along the Vendée coast, the fine swells coming in from the open ocean offer excellent surfing conditions.
The rocks help create great waves and the sandbanks give fast-moving crests.
Here is a useful map of surfing locations in the Vendee region:
Sand-yachting
The Vendée is a well-known and recognised destination for sand-yachting, with the longest beaches on the western coast, exceptionally fine wind conditions, facilities tailored to cater for your passion, and, above all, all this is available throughout the year. Sand-yachting is an activity that is easily accessible to anyone, and quickly provides thrills for all-comers in complete safety. The whistling of the wind in your sails, the gentle noise of the sand under your wheels, the wide open spaces and the long runs... sand-yachting is communion with the beach, the wind and the sea, an original getaway pursuit within the reach of anyone.
Historical interest
Both along the coast and inland, a living heritage awaits your exploration – castles, humbler dwellings, tourist sites and charming accommodation. Castle keeps, chateaux, villages and more: the heritage of History recounts the great adventure that is the Vendée’s past, at times war-like, at times artistic, and occasionally magical, whilst the surviving traces of the department’s great religious architecture tell of the monastic life and rituals of the Middle Ages.
The Château de la Guignardière at Avrillé
Come and experience the AVENTURE HISTORIQUE® in the setting of the grounds of the Château de la Guignardière. On this historical trail featuring historical conundrums for all the family. The riddles «disappeared civilisations», will let you discover the mysteries of Egypt’s, the Mayas, imperial China and the Easter Island. The winner will have a surprise reward! Other activities include: tours of the fully furnished listed Renaissance château, walks in the 86 hectares of grounds with their ancient trees, rows of menhirs, and animals such as deer, horses, ponies, swans and geese. Gift shop, bar, tea-room, catering, picnic facilities, and child’s play area.
Opening times:
From 1st/04 to 14/06 and from 1st to 30/09: daily from 11.00 am to 8.00 pm
From 15/06 to 31/08: daily from 10.00 am to 9.00 pm
The ticket office is closed 2 hours before the closing of the park
Admission: Adult:
9,50 €
Child: (4-11) :
7 €
Free for children under 4
CHATEAU DE LA GUIGNARDIERE
85440 AVRILLE
tél. 02 51 22 33 06 - fax 02 51 22 39 16
Roman circus, the Viking attacks, the jousting tournaments, the musketeer combats, the ancestral art of falconry, the skills of our craftsmen and the street theatre… You will relive 2,000 years of the History of France. You will never have been left with so many memories from a single experience.
Blue Beard’s Castle at Tiffauges
3 hectares packed with 400 years of history. Perched solidly on its rocky spur, Blue Beard’s Castle at Tiffauges invites you to discover its astonishing collection of medieval war machines. Catapulted back into history, you will become actors in its medieval adventure, but beware the ghost of Bluebeard which still haunts the ruins of this ancient fortress. In springtime, come and enjoy the three hours of spectacle and entertainment in the region’s greatest medieval visitor attraction. In July and August, the Castle presents «Gilles, la légende», an open-air theatrical pageant, and «Lueurs de pierres» late evening events every Wednesday.
Opening times:
April, May, June and September: Monday to Friday from 10.00 to 12.30 am and from 2.00 to 6.00 pm
Week-ends & bank holidays: from 2.00 to 7.00 pm
July and August: every day from 11.00 am to 7.00 pm
Open on 15th and 16th September during Heritage Open Days (guided tour only): free entrance
Admission:
Adult:
7 €
Child: (6-13) :
5 €
Family:
21 €
CHATEAU DE BARBE BLEUE
BP 14
85130 TIFFAUGES
tél. 02 51 65 70 51 – fax 02 51 65 75 67
Sites in the area. Click on the link for site details: