Which campsite to choose in the Vendée?
With over 350 campsites, the Vendée is the department with the largest number of campsites in France. It's difficult to choose, so here are some ideas to help you. Les Brunelles campsite ***** in Longeville-sur-Mer has direct access to the sea, only 800 metres away, but also a water park with no less than 15 slides and a Zen pool. You will also enjoy a wellness area and numerous activities. The Domaine de Bellevue *** campsite in Saint-Christophe-du-Ligneron has 98 pitches to rent, 100 metres from a river, an indoor swimming pool and offers dance evenings in season as well as a mini club for children. The campsite Les Blancs Chênes **** in La Tranche sur Mer in the south of the Vendée is ideal for families as it has a new water park and is 1800 metres from the beaches.
The most emblematic places in the Vendée, to discover during your camping holiday
The vast beaches of the seaside resorts are particularly attractive to those who come to stay in the Vendée. Saint-Jean-de-Monts for its 8-kilometre beach, Saint-Hilaire-de-Riez, one of the most popular places on the Côte de Lumière, Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie for its authentic fishing village and charming port, La Tranche-sur-Mer for its family atmosphere and its large beach of more than 14 kilometres, and finally Notre-Dame-de-Monts, which has managed to cultivate its seductive seaside village atmosphere. Voted best park in the world several times, the Puy de Fou takes you on a journey through the centuries for a memorable family holiday. The island of Noirmoutier is very popular with holidaymakers for its mild climate, dunes and salt marshes. The Marais Poitevin for its diverse nature ranging from sandy beaches to cliffs, forests and dunes.
Les Sables d'Olonne, nautical capital
It is one of the seaside resorts of the Côte de Lumière. It began to be successful at the time of the first sea bathing fashion and the arrival of the railway and then paid holidays, and it was in 1950 that tourism developed there. Today it is very popular with holidaymakers thanks to its magnificent beach, its marina, its casino and also its embankment where you can find shops, restaurants and also for its thalassotherapy centre. Finally, Les Sables also attracts visitors for the Vendée Globe race where you can watch the start every four years. A solo sailing race around the world which starts in the autumn.
The island of Yeu, naturally adapted to hiking
It is the furthest island from the Atlantic coast and to reach it, a boat crossing of about 30 minutes is necessary. For the more dedicated hiker, it will take 40 kilometres to walk around the island and the coastal path is now being classified as a Grande Randonnée (long-distance hiking trail) for a stroll along the marked paths. Classified as a Natural Site, the steep walls of the wild coastline give it all its charm and hide pretty coves covered in fine sand. The dune coast offers a series of small beaches against the dune, after the Pointe des Corbeaux, the coast is less steep and a landscape of holm oaks and maritime pines takes over. On the wild coast, one must admire the small Port de la Meule dominated by the Notre Dame de Bonne Nouvelle chapel, well known to sailors. A very beautiful view is to be discovered from the Pointe du Châtelet and La Tranche. A landscape often likened to that of Ireland or Brittany. If hiking is popular, there is also a wide range of water activities on the island of Yeu such as surfing, sailing, diving or kayaking.
The Passage du Gois, the mythical route of the Vendée
The Passage du Gois is a 4.5 kilometre long submersible causeway, accessible only at low tide, which links Noirmoutier and Beauvoir-sur-Mer. It used to be the only road to the island, since the Noirmoutier bridge was built in 1971. Thus, the passage is only cleared 1h30 before low tide and 1h30 after, which still leaves the road accessible for 3 hours a day. For safety reasons, markers along the road can be used as a refuge for the negligent who might be surprised by the rising tide. The tide times are also indicated on signs on both sides of the route. For the amateurs, the practice of fishing on foot became a tradition on the Passage du Gois thanks to its profusion of cockles, clams and wild oysters.
Discoveries in the Vendée
Vouvant, a small picturesque medieval village
Nestled within medieval ramparts, Vouvant is a small town of character classified as one of the Most Beautiful Villages in France, which has managed to preserve its architectural heritage. As you stroll through the pretty, flower-filled streets lined with old houses, you can feel the gentle pace of life here. As you stroll along, you come across the superb 11th century church of Notre-Dame-de-l'Assomption, in the Romanesque style, listed as a Historic Monument, whose sculpted portal is a masterpiece. Then, we discover the ramparts and the superb bridge over the river. The Mélusine tower, a vestige of the old castle, which, according to legend, was built in one night by the fairy Mélusine, is one of the monuments to be admired, as is the panorama it offers from the top of the tower.
Maillezais Abbey, necropolis of the Dukes of Aquitaine
A Benedictine abbey founded in the 11th century, Maillezais Abbey has the distinction of having welcomed the writer François Rabelais in the 16th century. Situated on an island, its precious remains overlook the magnificent Marais Poitevin. An important fortress at the time of its construction, then a Romanesque abbey and a Gothic cathedral, it was powerful on the economic, artistic and religious levels. The conventual buildings and the ruins of the abbey church are nowadays open to visitors. During the summer season, classical music festivals are often organised in the abbey, as well as shows and events throughout the year. Finally, a pier located near the abbey allows you to take boat trips on the conches of the Green Venice, which is very pleasant when the weather is hot.