The Vendée

There are lots of things to do and places to visit in the Vendée. The best guide book is The Vendée written by Angela Bird, who lives in the area. You can visit her extensive web site at www.the-vendee.co.uk. You can also visit the web site of the Vendée Tourist Board. There are plenty of walks and cycle rides around La Boucherie, Beaulieu sous La Roche and Aizenay, so you don't have to go far. You might want to try the cycle way on the old railway line from La Roche to Coex, which passes through Aizenay.

Nearby beaches include

	La Grande Plage at St-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie, to the south of the town, is the nearest beach to La Boucherie. It is only 30 minutes drive. The water is very shallow and is ideal for children and good for surfing.
	To the north of St Gilles, Sion is a nice beach with a small funfair. The beach shelves quickly, so bathing is only suitable for good swimmers.
	Sauveterre is a good beach for surfing with lots of rock pools. You get to it through I'lle d'Olonne and drive through the forest.
	Apremont is only 15 minutes drive and there is a is a man-made beach at the lake, with a safe supervised bathing area and play equipment. You can also do wind surfing and hire pedalos on the lake and river.
	Bretignolles has a rocky coast and beach There is a large man made lagoon with a surrounding beach (La Plan d’Eau) that is safe for bathing. Very good for children with things that float.
	La Chaume, near to Les Sables-d'Olonne, is a coastline full of rocky beaches with interesting pools. Paracou plage has a coast guard, but is not safe for children. It is worth a visit, as the coast guards are kept quite busy.
	Brem sur Mer has a good beach with lots of surf and supervised bathing.
	The larger resorts of Les Sables-d'Olonne and St. Jean-de-Monts, both about 40 minutes drive, have large beaches as well as shopping.

Other things to do include:

	La Puy de Fou is a historic theme park which is about 1¼ hours away. This consists of Le Grand Parcours, which is a large park, and La Cinescenie, a spectacular night-time illuminated reconstruction of the Vendeen wars. La Cinescenie is a brilliant sound and light show that lasts until after midnight. Le Grands Parcours is expensive but is an excellent day out. There is a medieval city, falconry and horse riding - it is worth planning your tour of the park around the event times. There is a picnic area outside the park, and you can leave and enter as you wish.
	The Ile de Nourmoutier is a good day out. The town and beaches are very pleasant, and there are some good seafood restaurants. The aquarium and castle are both worth a visit. Instead of going on the main road you could try crossing on the causeway, Le Gois, if you feel brave. The causeway is only passable at low tide. Times are published in the paper and are displayed on signs as you approach.
	The Ile d'Yeu is a beautiful small island that can be reached by ferry from St Gilles. When you arrive, it is best to hire bikes or a car to explore the island. It is a long day out, but well worth the effort.
	Futuroscope is a theme park at Poitiers dedicated to the moving image. There are giant iMax cinemas, surround screens and simulator rides. It is over 2 hours drive, but there are hotels next to the park.
	Nearby St-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie has a pedestrian shopping area in the town, with a fun-fair and games rooms along the harbour. Lively in the evenings with a good choice of restaurants.
	The chateau at Apremont is well worth a visit. There is a nice short walk along the bottom of the chateau walls and pedalos on the river. Nearby there are walks by the lake at Mache, and a cafe with a children's play area.
	Talmont has an old chateau built by Richard the Lionheart that is worth a visit. The staff are in period costume in season.
	Commequiers has a ruined medieval chateau that is worth calling at if you're passing. There is also a rail bicycle which is good fun.
	Les Sables-d'Olonne has plenty of shops and an indoor market. The zoo is worth a visit - there are lots of monkeys!
	There are plenty of shops in Challans. The whole town becomes a fair (autre fois) on certain Thursdays in July and August.
	Tiffauges castle is about about 50 mins away and was the home of the famous child murderer, Gilles de Rais (Bluebeard). The visit includes a demonstration of medieval siege machinery.
	La Rochelle is a major regional centre. A fashionable and popular resort with old town walls, it is a long way (two and a half hours) but worth a visit.
	At La Chabotterie there is an old chateau with a museum of the Vendeen wars. There is an ornamental garden and a walk to the place where Charette, a famous Vendeen general, was captured.
	Lac de Jauney is close by and has nice walks with lots of bird life. La Baudriere is a good place park and to start. It is also possible to cycle round the lake if you have a good mountain bike and plenty of energy.

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