Endless beaches of soft sand and lapping waves, fringed by pine trees and undulating dunes – perfect!
Camping in the Vendee
131 campsites in France, Vendée for Beach
Campsite Listing Google Map
The following consent is required:
Tracking & performance, Targeting & advertising.
On the edge of a pine forest and just a short walk across the dunes from a fine sandy beach, this could be an ideal spot for a seaside holiday. Les Cyprès is a very French campsite with good basic facilities and a pleasant modern pool complex. The 300 pitches are in an arc curving out towards the sea in both directions from reception; the 141 touring pitches of varying shapes and sizes occupy the southern end of the arc. All have access to electricity (10A) and water, though long leads are required in places and some are more suitable for tents because of the trees.
This family site is located close to the village of Barbâtre, on the west coast of the island of Noirmoutier. The site has direct access to a fine sandy beach. There are around 400 pitches, of which around 200 are available for touring units (the rest are occupied by an imaginative range of chalets, mobile homes and fully equipped tents, including teepees, many of which are for rent). Touring pitches are mostly equipped with 16A electricity. On-site amenities include two swimming pools and a paddling pool. A wide sunbathing area surrounds these. A children’s beach club is organised in peak season and evening entertainment is also on offer.
Camping Sandaya de la Bosse is located on the idyllic Île de Noirmoutier, off the coast of Vendée, France. On-site, you will find 249 touring pitches with electric hook-up points. Most pitches are on open and flat, sandy areas with little shade.
A site that lives up to its name, Camping Sandaya La Grande Côte, is extensive with 800 pitches, of which 293 are numbered touring pitches in rows spread over undulating dunes with sparse grass under pine, all with 10A electricity and over 287 chalets and mobile homes to rent.
A warm welcome is given by the English-speaking owners, Martine and Eric Malard, who make every effort to ensure that your stay is enjoyable. On site is a small, attractive lake with fishing and a large sports field. There are 178 pitches of which 94 are for touring units, all with 6A electricity (Europlug). The site has 24 mobile homes to rent, including one equipped for disabled visitors, and there are 60 which are privately owned. Indoor and outdoor swimming pools. This is a hidden gem in a small village away from the hustle and bustle of the seaside resorts. Ideal for those looking for a quiet holiday, it is still within a short drive of the Vendée coast and the Ile de Noirmoutier.
Located in woodland and on dunes along a two-kilometre stretch of sandy beach, just east of the attractive little town of Noirmoutier on the island of the same name, this could be a paradise for those who enjoy a simple campsite in a natural setting. On land belonging to France’s forestry commission, this site is operated by Huttopia, whose aim is to adapt to the environment rather than take it over. On site there are 488 touring pitches, all of which have electric hook up points (10A), and are situated among the pine trees and accessed along tracks. Those on the sand dunes have fantastic views across the Baie de Bourgneuf. They cost a few euros extra – if you are lucky enough to get one. Some pitches may experience noise from a nearby bar.
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.
This is a busy, family run campsite that is very popular with British holidaymakers and is used by a number of tour operators who occupy 150 of the 544 pitches. However, there are still 300 touring pitches, all with electricity (10A), water tap and drain; there are also 32 mobile homes for hire. The site is on both sides of the main road, linked by a tunnel. Most of the larger pitches are on the far side, so owners of high units would need to ask for a pitch on the main part of the site. There are outstanding leisure facilities.
This well established, family run site is within five minutes’ walk of Brem village and 1.5 km. from a sandy beach. The 76 touring pitches are level with varying amounts of grass, some with shade from mature trees. Pitches are separated by tall hedges and serviced by tarmac or gravel roads and have frequent water and 10A electricity points (long leads may be required). Premium pitches are available for an additional charge. There are 197 mobile homes and chalets available for rent. The swimming pool complex features heated indoor and outdoor pools with a jacuzzi, slides and a children’s pool, together with a sauna and fitness centre.
This family run campsite is within a short drive of some wonderful beaches. In high season it is bustling and lively, with a children’s club and a full programme of activities for youngsters and the whole family. A smart bar, refreshment and entertainment area is next to the imaginative open-air pool complex. There are 88 privately owned mobile homes, 99 for hire and 49 touring pitches scattered round the site (80-100 sq.m), with 10A electricity and water reasonably close by, some shaded. Late night discos may be noisy in July and August.
A short distance away from the busy coast, Puerta del Sol could suit not only families with teenage children to entertain, but also those seeking a more peaceful and relaxing holiday. Of the 216 pitches, 70 are available for touring units, each with electricity, water and drainage; they are level with dividing hedges and there is plenty of shade from mature trees. The remaining pitches are occupied by mobile homes and wooden chalets, 66 available to rent. A pleasant bar with snack bar, takeaway and small shop overlooks the outdoor pool and terrace and the adjoining indoor pool which has been recently added.
Domaine des Salins site in Saint Hilairede Riez is situated 800 metres from the beach in the Vendée close to St Jean de Monts and Saint Gilles Croix de Vie. Here you will find heated indoor and outdoor pools, and kids' club. Saint Hilaire de Riez is a pleasant seaside resort bordered by 14km of coast that has kept true to nature, extensive pine forests and long sandy beaches. Staying in Saint Hilaire de Riez, the Domaine des Salins is ideally close to the beach of Becs. The site has 148 pitches of which 30 are for tourers with a 10-amp hook-up point. The site is just 400 metres from local shops, on the edge of the forest and away from the main road. There are also several mobile homes and wooden chalets that are privately owned or available to rent
Camping la Forêt is an attractive, well run site with a friendly family atmosphere, thanks to the hard working owners, M. and Mme. Jolivet. Many visitors return year after year. It provides just 61 pitches with 46 for touring units. They are of a reasonable size and surrounded by mature hedges; all have water and electricity (10A), and some also have drainage. A variety of trees provide shade to every pitch. There are 16 mobile homes to rent (from 5 April) and one tour operator on site (11 pitches), but their presence is not intrusive and the site has a quiet and relaxed atmosphere. You are advised not to enter the site without checking pitch availability. Staff offer assistance with pitching your caravan.
Set in a seaside location, just 900 m. from the beach, this family run campsite is one of two halves. Chalets and mobile homes are the main feature here, with just 20 small touring pitches. These pitches are on firm and well drained grass and are accessed via tarmac roads. All have electricity connections (6/10A, both French and Europlugs) and water. They are unsuitable for units over six metres because of problems with access. There is some road noise.
Developed over the years on what was once a working farm, this is a friendly, relaxed, three-hectare site, very different from the sophisticated sites that abound in this area. Of the 208 pitches, 70 are available for tourers, the rest being occupied by mobile homes and chalets, of which 49 are available for hire. Touring pitches are large and attractively laid out, separated by hedges, with mature trees to give shade, and with electricity and water close by. There is a pleasant solar-heated pool with paddling pool and jacuzzi, and an old barn is used as a games room and for occasional events in high season. English and Spanish are spoken.
Domaine de Beaulieu has an open, airy feel in a semi-rural setting on the edge of the village of Givrand, a short drive from an excellent sandy beach and the fishing port and resort of Saint Gilles. The 127 touring pitches all with electricity (10A, Europlug) and water nearby, are pleasantly laid out and separated by hedges or bushes; most have shade from mature trees, others are more open. A little stream in an unfenced cutting runs through the site. There are around 180 mobile homes, most to rent, and tour operators occupy 90 pitches. Early and late in the season, the campsite is quiet, whereas in July and August there is a lively and wide-ranging entertainment programme for all ages, including teenagers.
In the heart of the Vendée countryside and a stone's throw from the ocean is the Camping Au Pré de l'Etang in the retro-coastal town of Sainte Foy.Only 10 km from Les Sables d'Olonne, but away from the crowds and the tourist attractions, you can enjoy the calm and family spirit of the campsite. The campsite offers 46 pitches 37 touring pitches within lush shaded and sunny spaces. The camp also has a 4-hectare pond which lovers of angling will be able to take advantage of as it offers various varieties of fish to catch. There is also a small animal farm on site ( goats and chickens) for the young and older to enjoy. For 20 years now, the family-run campsite has offered simplicity in the heart of nature as their motto is “the simplest things are always the best….”Within the Vendée territory, you will enjoy the many tourist sites that: Les Sables d'Olonne, Le Puy du Fou, the Vendée Globe, O'gliss Park to name a few. The Sables d'Olonne region has a natural "green coastline" enriched by the presence of marshes and a state-owned forest, a paradise for walkers and nature lovers thanks to the signposted footpaths and cycle paths.
La Mouette Cendrée is a green site surrounded by mature trees and farmland but conveniently close to a main road and supermarket. It is ideally situated on the Atlantic Coast for the beach and close to pretty seaside villages. The owners aim to create a peaceful, friendly atmosphere at this small, simple site. The 101 grassy, flat pitches are 70/110 sq.m. and are separated by a mixture of tall and low hedges with 10A electricity available throughout.
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.
This site is ideally situated within 700 metres of the beautiful, sandy beaches of the Vendée and close to Saint Jean-de-Monts (4 km) with its shops and restaurants, and the islands of Noirmoutier and Yeu. Although there are 284 pitches, only 18 are for touring units, and these are situated amongst the site’s own mobile homes (there are no tour operators here). The pitches are level, grassy and of average size, and are in the open with low hedges. All have 3/10A electricity and some have water and drainage. The site is neatly maintained and has a heated covered pool, outdoor pool, water slides, spa, sauna, children’s play area and internet point.
No campsites match your search terms.
Vendée
It’s not only the fine beaches that make this holiday region so appealing – quaint fishing harbours, historic ports and charming towns all create a great holiday atmosphere.
This small but perfectly located region is all about the beach. All 200 km of it. That may sound a little over-simplified, but it is undoubtedly a magnet for lovers of sun, sea and sand. Visitors flock to the region to enjoy the exceptionally mild climate with an enviable sunshine record and famously balmy micro-climate (apparently, there are more sunshine hours here than on the French Rivera); it’s easy to see why this is one of the most popular tourist areas of France. The Vendée has a wealth of sleepy fishing harbours, historic ports and charming towns that all create a great holiday experience. Popular resorts in the Vendée include Les Sablesd’Olonne, La Tranche-sur-Mer, and St Jean-de-Monts.
The Vendée was the centre of the counterrevolutionary movement between 1793 and 1799, and a ‘son et lumière’ held at Le Puy-du-Fou tells the whole story. Les Sables-d’Olonne is its main resort, renowned for its excellent sandy beach. The area between the Vendée and Charente, the Marais Poitevin, is one of the most unusual in France – a vast tract of marshland with a thousand or more tree-lined canals and slow-moving streams.
Vendée Blogs
Spotlight on the Vendee
Rob Fearn | 2 Apr 2021 | Read time: 7m 57s
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
Read MoreCAMPING IN THE VENDEE
Camping in the Vendée
The Vendée is a hugely popular region for camping, partly because it’s an easy place to get to from the UK. Campsites in the Vendée are usually of high quality (competition encourages standards to be high) and many have been in business for decades, gradually improving services and facilities. Of course, as is often the rule of thumb, the closer the campsite to the beach, the smaller the pitches are likely to be. That is sometimes the price to pay for convenience. Moreover, campsites near the beach can be more expensive.
And campsites on the beach can be that much more lively in terms of evening entertainment and general hubbub. For this reason, some prefer to enjoy the day on the beach and then retreat to the more secluded campsites slightly inland. But each to their own!
PLACES OF INTEREST
Places of interest
L’Aiguillon-sur-Mer: Famous for its mussels and other shellfish; site of migrating birds between August and November.
Apremont: Pretty village with a Renaissance castle; Vendée’s largest lake with a sandy beach, watersports and boat hire.
Île-d’Yeu: One hour by boat from the coast, a major tourist destination with colourful shops, cafés and restaurants; art galleries and exhibitions; bicycles and cars for hire.
Jard-sur-Mer: Abbey of Lieu-Dieu (financed by Richard the Lionheart); seaside with attractive, colourful houses.
Le Puy-du-Fou: 15/16th-century castle; son-et-lumière production and historical theme park.
BEACHES OF THE VENDEE
Beaches of the Vendée
The Vendée is a great choice for children of all ages. The traditional accessory for every child visiting the Vendée is, without doubt, the bucket and spade - and with good reason. From St. Jean-de-Monts to La Tranche-sur-Mer the coast is virtually unbroken with fragrant pine forests leading down to gently shelving sandy beaches.
These are some of France’s finest beaches, with gently shelving golden sands that are reassuringly safe for toddlers as they paddle and splash in the water. Many beaches offer high season kids’ clubs with organised beach activities as well as watersports on offer like sailing, windsurfing, paddleboards and kayaks. It’s generally easy for teenagers and older children to enjoy a degree of independence in safety.
Île de Noirmoutier: The Le Gois causeway (and a modern bridge) connect this once detached island to the mainland. A handful of scattered villages and miles of often empty beach create a magical environment, very different from the mainstream resorts further south. The Plage des Dames, complete with a boardwalk, wooden pier, soft sand and backed by oak trees, mimosa, eucalyptus and fragrant pine trees is hard to beat.
Les Sables d’Olonne: This is a resort where the beaches are so good they named the town after them. It’s one of the major resorts of the Vendée and has a fine, curved seafront and sandy bay. The marina is always a popular haunt with plenty of flashy boats to gawp at, as well as the usual bustle of a working marina and, naturally, some really good restaurants where you can enjoy fantastically fresh seafood. The 15th century Château St Clair is also a popular excursion as is the zoo with its sanctuary for over forty endangered species.
St-Jean-de-Monts: Though quiet for much of the year, St Jean-de-Monts wakes up with a vengeance during the summer months. This is one of the best-known hotspots, with many excellent family campsites jostling for position along the Cote de Lumière. The vast 8 km long beach is a delight with fine sands and no currents to worry parents of young children. It’s frequented by kite surfers and sand yachts, as well as cyclists and horse riders enjoying the shady pines that fringe the shore.
St-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie: As a change from some of the larger resorts, St Gilles-Croix-de-Vie is an attractive fishing harbour spanning the river Vie. It is home to Beneteau, the world-leading sailing boat manufacturer and it is truly a town of boats, from the brightly painted fishing boats, the little ferries that ply back and forth to the Ile d’Yeu, to the host of small dinghies and sailing boats that bob up and down in the blue waters and whose white sails are sprinkled across the seascape. It’s no surprise the region is known for the Vendée Globe yacht race, one of the most gruelling nautical challenges in the world.
Saint-Hilaire-de-Riez: Not far from its larger neighbour, St Gilles, this pleasant town of small whitewashed houses adorned with jauntily painted shutters is also home to the Atlantic Toboggan waterpark on Merlin-Plage. Here a mind-boggling range of pools awaits, with waterslides, flumes, whirlpools and more. The 250-metre thrills of the twisting Boa and the Kamikaz are inevitable highlights.
The Route du Sel: An excursion with a difference is to follow the Route de Sel (or the Salt Route) through the Marais, inland flat expanses of land reclaimed from the sea. Take to the completely calm waters of the waterways that criss-cross the Sallertaine’s ancient salt marshes and find yourself at eye-level to the surrounding marshland with its windmills and wildlife. A wonderful time to do this is early morning when you might start paddling as the atmospheric morning mists begin to burn off, revealing the magically tranquil landscape around you.
CUISINE OF THE REGION
Cuisine of the region
Not known as a viticultural world-beater, the Vendée does have vineyards around Brem-sur-Mer and Mareuil-sur-Lay, producing light, refreshing wines perfect at the end of a long day in the sun. Excellent duck comes from Challans where the duck market was a key part of the local economy. Locally produced meat and poultry include Charolais beef, salt-marsh lamb and foie gras.
The Brioche de Vendée, the soft, slightly sweet bread served at breakfast is a family favourite. Best of all though is the huge variety of seafood available from the simple but highly prized oyster to the elaborate fish dishes that tempt every passer-by. Seafood includes sole sablaise, cooked with lemon, barbecued sardines from Saint Gilles Croix-de-Vie, baked white tuna and mussels from the Baie de l’Aiguillon cooked in white wine.
Samphire: A herb that grows on the edges of the salt marshes.
Mogette: A signature dish of the region, Slow-cooked baby haricot beans, traditionally served with gammon.
Jambon de Vendee: Local raw-cured ham.