There are four distinct regions to the Vendée département: the Bocage, a rolling, wooded area of low hills; the Plaine with its open countryside and rich arable land, golden with wheat and sunflowers in summer; and two marshy areas - the silent Marais Breton to the north, the lush, verdant slow-moving waters of the Marais Poitevin to the south. Above all else, the region offers some of the most superb beaches in the whole country: long, sandy, gently shelving and safe.
Apremont
Château d'Apremont
Set in an attractive location, the ruins of the 17th Renaissance castle lie on a steep escarpment over the valley of the River Vie. There are fine panoramic views from the walk around the south tower and an even better one from the top of the 80m water tower. The reservoir is a lovely spot for a picnic and very popular with windsurfers.
Avrillé
Often referred to as the ‘Carnac of the Vendée’ this is an important prehistoric site, the most important of which is Caesar’s Camp, 7m high and 8m in circumference. The village is dominated by other megaliths including La Cornelésie, a rocking stone.
Chantonnay
Once a Roman encampment on the tin road between Brittany and the Aquitaine basin, Chantonnay still has caves and megaliths of the prehistory period. It lies on the border between the Bocage and the Plaine. Two miles away lie the small lake and beach of the Moulin Neuf which is ideal for picnics and fishing. The Rochereau dam is also close by.
Challans
A typical Marais town that calls itself the capital of the marshes. Standing, as it does, in the middle of an area where horses, cattle and poultry are raised, the town has a good number of markets; the duck market was always the most famous (usually on a Tuesday). North of Challans, at Machecoul, is the Séguin brandy distillery. From July onwards there are daily tours at 2.30 pm. Before then there are tours but only for groups of twenty or more.
Fontenay-le-Comte
Fontenay-le-Comte
Standing on a slope that commands the banks of the river Vendée, and set between the Plaine, the Bocage and the Marais Poitevin, Fontenay has been inhabited since prehistoric times. It was an important Renaissance centre of humanism and culture. There are a number of fine buildings in the town including the beautiful Château de Terre Neuve which is classed as one of the great monuments of western France.
Fromentine
It is from here that one reaches the Vendéan islands and also where the regions of Monts begins. As is the case with many Vendéan resorts, a superb forest lines the beach.
Green Venice
This area of the Marais Poitevin draws large numbers of visitors every year. It is a watery, marshy area made up of crisscrossing canals or 'chenaux' which are navigable by marshland dwellers in small boats and punts. Manoeuvring a boat through the thick blanket of green weeds beneath the entangled canopy of the trees above is a slow business and the area seems to take on a rhythm all its own. The atmosphere is unique and it’s certainly a photographer’s dream.
Ile de Noirmoutier
Visitors to this island can get there either by sea from Pornic, by the Le Gois causeway at low tide or via the bridge at Fromentine. Most of this island is below sea level and protected by dykes, hence its nickname of Little Holland. Its also more picturesquely known as the Isle of Mimosas and is known for its mild climate, lovely beaches and woods of maritime pines.
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The wood at La Chaise lines a coast as wonderful as any on the Med and it shelters the lovely Plage des Dames. Here the trees and mimosa come right down to the beach in a manner reminiscent of certain stretches of the Riviera. Two notable attractions on the island include the Océanile waterpark and the Sealand Aquarium at Le Vieux Port.
Ile de Yeu
Ile de Yeu
This is the leading tuna port of France as well being a major seaside resort. It’s situated 25km west of Fromentine and 17km off the coast, has a wild south-western shore and a northern coast of rolling dunes. It’s often compared to Brittany due to its rocky creeks and prehistoric megaliths but it has a gentler, calmer character on the other coast which is distinctly Vendéan. Hire bikes there and explore this lovely corner of the Vendée for yourself!
To get there take a boat from St Gilles, Les Sables or Fromentine (around 175FF per person) A speedier route is via hydrofoil from Noirmoutier.
La Tranche-sur-Mer
The famous beach at La Tranche is truly excellent. As well as being a seaside resort, La Tranche is known for its bulb production - tulips, hyacinth and gladioli – an industry for which the town is indebted to the Dutch. Bulbs are all very well but children might just prefer to visit the Zoo Parc de Californie at nearby La Faute-sur-Mer, home to birds from around the world.
Les Sables d’Olonne
This lively seaside resort, fishing port and commercial centre is one of the major centres of the Vendée and, as such, is sometimes modestly referred to as the ‘pearl of the coast of light’. Dating back to Roman times there is much to see here, including St Nicholas fort, Arundel tower (a lighthouse), and the former Capucin monastery which now houses the Bourgenay Institution.
It’s a great place to stroll by day with magnificent beaches, excellent shops and numerous seafood restaurants for which the town has an enviable reputation. At night it’s lively with a wide range of bars and seafront cafes. The Olonne state forest stretches over some 12km, creating a band of pine and oak between the marshes and the sea.
Luçon
Luçon Cathedral
This is an attractive rural cathedral town, once the home of Cardinal Richelieu, and now a thriving agricultural centre. Notable is the Jardin Dumaine, a precisely laid out park, and the cathedral and old quarter which cluster around it. The second Saturday of each month sees a colourful fair-cum-livestock market which is always worth experiencing. Nearby is the Château de la Court d’Aron, a reconstructed château containing collections of furniture, tapestries and paintings as well as extensive gardens.
Notre Dame de Monts
This ancient marshland town is surrounded by forest and beach. To the north lies the famous bridge of Yeu, an underwater plateau that emerges during the tides of the equinox and which is said to have been built by the Devil.
Pornic
This is an attractive old fishing town with ancient streets and a busy harbour. the 13th century which dominates the town once belonged to Gilles de Rais, the notorious ‘Bluebeard’. Times change and Pornic today is also a holiday resort with a colourful marina. There are pleasant walks to found along the corniches running away from the port. The neighbouring beaches are mainly small coves, similar to parts of Brittany, rather than the more customary long stretches of sand so typical of the Vendée.
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Sallertaine
Sallertaine
In the northern Marais of the Vendée, some windmills have been saved from destruction and restored. Nearly all ceased operating long ago but one, the Moulin de Rairé, still mills grain daily as it has since 1750. There are usually a number of visitors in high summer but there are tours of this relic of bygone technology.
St Gilles-Croix-de-Vie
St Gilles and Croix-de-Vie are actually two communes, separated by the Vie river. Both have a harbour and a beach and it was the natural harbour that first attracted the Romans to this spot. In the 12th century, monks from Languedoc built a fortified abbey near the port and the town grew up around it. By the end of the 16th century the town had spilt over onto the other bank of the river and this was the start of Croix-de-Vie.
Today there is a large yachting marina and various boat trips offer sea fishing or go to the Ile de Yeu. On the seafront, there’s also an aquarium.
St Jean-de-Monts
St Jean-de-Monts
Sheltered by the vast state forest which is the spearhead of the Marais Breton, St Jean’s beaches stretch for 8km along its shore. The original Ile de Monts was separated from the shoreline by an arm of the sea which has gradually been filled in by soil brought downstream by the Loire and by the hard work of the Cistercian monks and others who drained the marshes.
Sea-bathing came into vogue here at the start of the century but the last twenty years or so have seen remarkable development. This is now the second-largest resort on the Vendéen coast and in high season provides all the trappings of a modern holiday destination: bars, restaurants, nightclubs, cinemas and more. In season, the number of inhabitants (about 5,000) multiplies tenfold.
St Jean-de-Monts ville, with its open market square and charming church with its tall, pointed spire has a very pleasant atmosphere, especially on market days when there’s an extra bit of colour and bustle. It really is a separate entity from the beach area, which is more about lazing and lounging in the sun. On the Route de Beauvoir look out for a bourrine, one of the original low-built houses of the frog catchers of the marshes. It’s now open to the public and provides a remarkable insight into a peasant life very different to today’s holidaymaker.
Les Sirènes is a large campsite located in the forest behind the popular resort of Saint Jean-de-Monts. The nearest beach, just 700 m. away, is long and sandy, shelving very gradually into the sea. The 291 touring pitches vary considerably in size and level; some, ideal for tents, are among the tall pine trees, whilst others are on flat ground but still have shade provided by a variety of younger trees (192 have 6-10A electrical connections - long leads required on some - and water taps nearby). A number of equipped tents and mobile homes (including specially adapted models with accessible facilities) are available to rent.
Castel Camping La Garangeoire is a stunning campsite situated some 15 km inland, near the village of Saint Julien-des-Landes. Set in 200 hectares of parkland surrounding the small château of la Garangeoire, of which there is an outstanding view as you approach through the gates. With a spacious, relaxed atmosphere, the main camping areas are on either side of the old road, edged with mature trees.
Camping Village de la Guyonnière is a spacious (30 hectare) rural site, located in the countryside, but only a few minutes from the coast. It is Dutch-owned, by Pierre and his sons, Piet & Thys. English is spoken and all visitors are made very welcome. The pitches are arranged on different fields, each being reasonably level, private and quiet. There are around 394 mostly large pitches (225 sq.m) with a mix of sun and shade and large units are welcome. Some are open, others are separated by a tree and a few bushes. All have access to electricity connections (10A, Europlug) and 201 are occupied by mobile homes, chalets and glamping accommodation. The pool complex, which is open all season is fully heated and includes an outdoor pool with a wild river, slides and a heated indoor pool with a waterfall, slides and hydro massage river. This is a perfect place for families, with large play areas on sand and grass, and a paddling pond with shower.
Camping Resort La Yole is an attractive and well-run site, two kilometres from a sandy beach. It offers 362 pitches, of which 91 mobile homes are either privately owned or available to rent. There are 133 touring pitches, most with shade and separated by bushes and trees. An area at the rear of the site is a little more open. All the pitches are of at least 100 sq.m. and have electricity (10A), water and drainage. The pool complex includes an attractive outdoor pool, a paddling pool, slide and an indoor heated pool with jacuzzi. There has been a recent extension to the pool area. There are also gym facilities and entertainment is organised in high season. This is a clean and tidy site, ideal for families with children and you will receive a helpful and friendly welcome.
Tucked away in the Vendée countryside, just 15 minutes’ drive from the beach, this campsite enjoys a rural setting above the Lac du Jaunay, well away from the bustle of the coast. There are 229 good sized touring pitches, all with 10A electricity (Europlug) and 25 with water tap, drainage and 16A power. Some have shade, and others are in the open with mature hedges and trees. The enthusiastic family owners are very hands-on, and the facilities are of a high standard, most notably the entrance and reception building, and the pool area with its excellent indoor and outdoor pools, slides, flumes, jacuzzi, steam room and fitness suite. Fishing is well-catered for with direct access to the lake. You can buy your fishing licence, store equipment in a secure room, keep your bait in a fridge at the site.
On the edge of the bustling village of Olonne-sur-Mer, close to the popular resort of Les Sables-d’Olonne, Le Trianon is a large site very much geared to mobile homes and chalets, of which 435 are available for rent. There are 45 touring pitches scattered amongst the statics. They vary in size and shape but all have water taps and drainage, with electricity (10A) nearby, and there is plenty of shade. The site is under new ownership and there are ambitious development plans. Nearby Olonne-sur-Mer has shops, bars, restaurants and a large supermarket. Free transport to the beach in July and August.
Originally a simple ‘camping à la ferme’, this site has been developed by a Dutch organisation into an extensive, very well equipped and well-maintained campsite. Located around two attractive fishing lakes, the 164 pitches, most available for touring, are spacious and attractively laid out with plenty of grass, hedges and trees, some young, some mature. All have electricity (6/10A), and a few are very large. There are 38 mobile homes to rent. An old barn has been converted into a large restaurant offering an extensive French menu, including a ‘menu du jour’. Also here are a small bar, a shop selling necessary provisions and the reception area.
An attractive, modern site on a family farm surrounded by beautiful, peaceful countryside, this site is sure to please. With 165 pitches in an area of six hectares, there is plenty of space for everyone. There are 101 touring pitches, eight tents, eighteen mobile homes, and 20 alpine-style chalets, spread around several fields, some quite open, others with some shade from perimeter hedges. The grassy pitches are all of a generous size with 12/16A electricity (Europlug, long leads may be required). Two swimming pools, both covered, are surrounded by a pleasant terrace, with the bar and reception close by. Also on site is a lovely large fishing lake (fenced) with a pleasant walk all around. The bar and takeaway operate in July/August, ices and essential tinned food items are available from reception, and there is a motorhome service point. A club for children runs in July and August.
Rob has been involved in the leisure industry since completing a BTEC in Travel & Tourism in 1993. Previous roles have included the promotion of tourism in Yorkshire and running a motorcycle touring company in the Australian Outback.
He is the General Manager at Alan Rogers Travel Group, responsible for the ongoing development of the Alan Rogers website and the publication of the Alan Rogers Guides and 'Destinations' magazine.
Rob has owned several caravans, and he regularly travels with his wife and young daughter in their VW Transporter, complete with a Tentbox roof tent. A keen cycling fan, Rob can often be found in a field in Belgium during the 'Spring Classics' season.
France is a fantastic place for a holiday. And if you take your tent, touring caravan or motorhome, it can be even better. If you don't have these, you could book a static caravan instead and holiday in some of the best regions and at some of the best campsites and caravan parks available.
There are many reasons to go camping in France for your summer holiday; sunny beaches, blue seas, magnificent mountains and great food and drink. France also has a fantastic camping culture meaning there are lots of great campsites to choose from, most of which have very high-quality facilities.
