GREAT DESTINATIONS ❘ LA VENDÉE WHAT TO SEE AND DO IN VENDÉE From sandy beaches to inland explorations, outdoor activities and gastronomic specialities
ON THE COAST Fishing
The most popular spot is l’Estacade at Saint-Jean-de-Monts. If you just want to watch other people try their luck with a rod or a net, and maybe chat with them about the sport, this is the place to go. But you can fish anywhere along the coast, except in designated bathing areas and along the salt water sections of the river Vie. There are lots of shellfish to be caught too. Full details, plus rules and regulations, can be found at
www.saint-jean-de-
monts.com/
pecher.html
Surfing There’s a beach break here that’s ideal for intermediate surfers, while beginners can book surf lessons with the likes of Keep Cool Surfing, Breteam Surf Club, Atlantic Lézard School, Surfing Saint-Gilles and Mahalo Surf. If there are no waves (and in summer there often aren’t) you can
For more travel inspiration visit
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People flock to La Vendée in summertime to enjoy its long, sandy beaches, but there is much more to the département besides
forests to be explored. Walking groups offer a slower pace; if you’re feeling more energetic, join a running group for a jog through the forests, or even go for a bike ride.
www.saint-jean-de-monts.com/ me-balader-courir
Velo-rail
Those who have yet to catch their dinner must endure another beautiful sunset
always try it indoors at the Glassy House in Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie, France’s only artificial wave.
www.theglassyhouse.com
Sealand As well as being surrounded by the sea, l’Île de Noirmoutier is home to around 500 sea creatures on land as well. Sealand is an interesting and educational visit for youngsters and adults alike. Two new sea-lions have recently joined the line-up, and they perform at shows put on three times a day. (We’re assured the sea-lions love it as much as the punters do.)
www.aquariumdenoirmoutier.com
INLAND Saint-Jean-de-Monts
The mile and miles of unspoilt sandy beaches lie alongside deep coastal
44 ❘ FRANCE TODAY Apr/May 2020
Another countryside discovery experience is to take to the rails aboard a rail bike and pedal your way along the six miles of former railway line between Commequiers and Coëx. You’ll pass through the old railway station at Saint-Maixent-sur-Vie and cross the river itself on the Viaduc sur la Vie.
www.velorail-vendee.fr
Explora Parc For family activities and sports that will take your breath away, and to discover the landscape of the Vendée coastline from a different perspective, take on one of the 10 adventure trails at this treetop adventure park in the heart of the national forest of Pays-de-Monts.
www.exploraparc.com
L’Île aux Papillons The largest glasshouse for butterflies in France, this tropical garden at La Guérinière on L’Île de Noirmoutier is home to around 700 different species of papillon. It is open to the public between April and September.
www.ile-aux-papillons.com
Puy de Fou
Located inland at Les Epesses, this theme park of epic proportions has become legendary for its historical re-enactments and is well worth making a detour on any visit to the département to explore the park and to stand in awe of the sheer scale of the performances.
www.puydufou.com
Discover the aquatic life of La Vendée and beyond – without getting wet
Vendée Miniature Sixteen years of work went into creating a village in miniature to give you a bird’s eye view of La Vendée as it used to be. The church and the windmill are the highlights, but over 650 figures fill the scenes, and each of the 80,000 miniature roof tiles was also made by hand, as were the 1,600 railway sleepers.
www.vendee-miniature.fr
See life in La Vendée as it used to be at Vendée Miniature
GASTRONOMY
Chocolatier Vincent Vallée Being named World Chocolate Master at the 2015 Chocolate Fair in Paris wasn’t enough to make Vincent Vallée forget his roots, and just three years later he returned to his hometown in Olonne-sur-Mer to open his very own chocolate shop. Here you will find exquisitely crafted chocolates that are almost too beautiful to eat.
www.vincentvallee.fr
Popcorn Labyrinthe There are Popcorn Labyrinthes all along the Bay of Biscay coast, including two in La Vendée, at Saint-Hilaire-de- Riez and Olonne-sur-Mer. The idea is to get lost in the corn as it reaches its highest point in the growing season.
www.popcornlabyrinthe.fr
Try the local honey at source by visiting Les Ruchers de Saint Gilles
Les Ruchers de Saint Gilles Try a true taste of Vendée by making an appointment to visit the apiaries of Les Ruchers de Saint Gilles, where Marine Lyot harvests the nectar of honey bees from around 200 hives.
www.lesruchersdesaintgilles.fr ❯❯
IMAGE © GUY BAROU
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