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 hard to choose, so here are a few ideas to help you make the most of your camping holiday.
The best 5-star campsites in Vendée by the sea + water park
Campsite l'Océan ***** in Brem-sur-Mer
Located just 600 metres from the beach, l'Océan campsite ***** has more than 530 pitches offering shade thanks to their trees, as well as a wide range of accommodation (mobile home rental). Located a few kilometres from Les Sables d'Olonne, it also has a large indoor and outdoor water park with a paddling pool, games, spa and slides. Finally, the 8-person mobile home with private jacuzzi is one of the new features! There's also a play area, sauna and steam room with free access.
Campsite Les Brunelles ***** in Longeville-sur-mer
Les Brunelles campsite ***** in Longeville-sur-Mer boasts direct access to the sea, just 800 metres away, as well as a water park with no fewer than 15 slides and a Zen pool. There's also a wellness area and plenty of entertainment.
Camping Bel air ***** in Les Sables d'Olonne : With swimming pool and close to the sea
For your camping holidays, Le Bel Air campsite ***** has over 280 pitches and is open from April to November for those who want to watch the start of the famous Vendée Globe race. Bike hire for cycling along the wild coastline, a 1000 m2 indoor water park with a slide and whirlpool facilities are all available. You can choose accommodation such as a mobile home for up to 6 people with a private jacuzzi.
Even more choice of rentals (mobile homes etc.) for your holidays in Vendée
Campsite Domaine de Bellevue *** in Saint-Christophe-du-Ligneron
The Domaine de Bellevue *** campsite in Saint-Christophe-du-Ligneron has 98 accommodation units, pitches 100 metres from a river, an indoor swimming pool, dance evenings in season and a mini club for children.
Campsite Les Blancs Chênes **** in La Tranche-sur-Mer
Les Blancs Chênes campsite **** 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.
Campsite Le Paradis **** in Talmont-Saint-Hilaire, in the heart of the Vendée
Camping Le Paradis **** is close to the beautiful beaches of the Vendée. It also has a lovely heated swimming pool and a restaurant with a lovely terrace. Comfortable accommodation is available almost all year round, and there's an entertainment programme for everyone during the summer months. An ideal camping holiday.
Cheap camping by the sea
Camping La Padrelle ** in Saint-Hilaire-de-Riez, a family campsite
La Padrelle ** campsite, open from April to October, is 100 metres from the sea and has a fine sandy beach with lifeguard surveillance in summer. A camping holiday in a relaxing, family atmosphere is on offer here, close to the Corniche Vendéenne. Ecolodges are available for your camping holiday, with wooden and canvas tents. There's also a kiosk for campervans and free Wi-Fi.
Landmarks in the Vendée
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.