Mini-farm at a campground in the Vendée
Are you torn between a campground with a farm in the Vendée or one near the beach for your next vacation? No need to choose! Welcome to La Grand’ Métairie, a 4-star campground in Saint-Hilaire-la-Forêt: 3.5 hectares of lush greenery just 6 km from the beach! Here, everything is designed to help you reconnect with nature and share wonderful moments in the countryside surrounded by animals—all at the best price for an unforgettable camping trip in the Vendée!
The Mini-Farm at La Grand’ Métairie
Every morning at 10 a.m., it’s family animal feeding time! This daily event is the tradition that sets our campground with its mini-farm apart from other nature campgrounds in the department: no sign-up, no sign-up sheet—we just get together. Your kids will especially love it: they’ll get to pet the animals and watch them grow, eat, and move around!
At the mini-farm on our property, you’ll have the chance to see goats and their kids in the spring, Chipie the pony—who’s enjoying a peaceful retirement in our little corner of the Vendée—as well as a peacock, hens, roosters, turkeys, and rabbits. The animals are kept in secure enclosures so that all our guests can approach them safely. As the days go by, the children eventually come to recognize them all, and parents often look forward to this morning visit just as much as their kids do!
During your vacation at our campground with a mini-farm in the Vendée—which offers an outdoor setting and a variety of nature-based activities—you can enjoy wonderful moments with your children feeding the animals, accompanied by the Piki Club staff. There are no extra charges, and no reservations are required: everything is included in your stay.
Depending on the season, your little ones can also enjoy nature-themed creative workshops, such as land art, during their stay at La Grand’ Métairie. Our exceptional estate, nestled in the heart of the Vendée countryside, will help your children develop a respect for wildlife and the environment from a very young age—not through lectures, but simply by bringing them into contact with the natural world.
A truly rural setting for a vacation by the sea or simply a weekend getaway with the family in the Vendée —a truly refreshing change of pace! Bénédicte and Denis, the owners, have long embraced this rustic charm and have even incorporated it into the decor of their accommodations!
“The best day here is the one you don’t plan: feeding time at 10 a.m. with the kids, the pool in the afternoon, and in the evening we head out to watch the sunset on Veillon Beach, about 20 minutes away. That’s my favorite part, and it doesn’t cost a thing!”
Campsite with farm and water park
At the 4-star La Grand’ Métairie campground, you can enjoy special moments with the animals while exploring the Vendée coast, renowned for its nearby seaside resorts that are just a short drive away (Jard-sur-Mer, Les Sables-d’Olonne, La Tranche-sur-Mer…) and its fine sandy beaches, just 6 km away. The market in Jard-sur-Mer, held on Monday mornings in the town center and along the pedestrian streets, is worth a visit for its brioche and préfou.
Back at the Paradis La Grand’ Métairie campground, you can continue enjoying the water at our aquatic center. Our campground with a pool in the Vendée features two heated pools, including an indoor pool maintained at 29°C and open starting in early April, as well as a wading pool for toddlers with water play features. The outdoor pool, heated starting in early June, features a waterfall and a counter-current river.
Swimming, aqua aerobics in the morning, sports activities in the afternoon, or simply relaxing before a bike ride or after a day of sightseeing: our aquatic area and pools are sure to delight you. The activity leaders adapt the program to the weather, with no set schedule. The large outdoor pool, which is bigger than the indoor pool, lets you swim laps while the little ones have fun in the wading pool and its water play area.
After your swim, lay your towel on a comfortable lounge chair in our solarium or on the grassy areas surrounding the pools—which is what our guests prefer here. Grab your sunglasses and sunscreen, and treat yourself to a few well-deserved moments of relaxation. Breathe in the Vendée air during your days in the countryside.
Camping sites and rentals at the campground, near the farm
Our campground with a mini-farm in the Vendée offers 34 campsites ranging from 80 to 100 m² for tents and RVs, set on a beautiful, landscaped, tree-lined rural property with no concrete driveways. You can park your car on the site next to your trailer and will have access to the shared restroom facilities, which include toilets and a shower room.
All of the campground’s 4-star amenities are available to campers. To make your stay easier, each caravan and RV site has a 10-amp electrical hookup if you’d like, as well as a service area, a laundry facility, and a communal sink. The bread and pastries stand opens every morning at 8 a.m. at the front desk, just before the 10 a.m. gathering at the farm.
If you’re not really into RVs, you’ll also find among our 126 fully equipped vacation rentals in the Vendée a variety of 2-bedroom or 3-bedroom options with private bathrooms and toilets, each featuring a private semi-covered or covered patio. You can choose from mobile home rentals in the Vendée, cottage rentals in the Vendée, and unique accommodations in the Vendée. Our Signature models are eco-designed by our team: former wood-clad homes that have been repainted, redecorated, and furnished with vintage finds, such as these old teapots transformed into ceiling lights.
Frequently Asked Questions
What time is feeding time?
Every morning at 10 a.m., without exception, throughout the season. We’ll meet in front of the mini-farm; there’s no need to make a reservation or check in at the front desk.
What animals can you see at the petting zoo?
Goats and their kids, Chipie the pony, a peacock, hens, roosters, turkeys, and rabbits.
Can we approach the animals outside of the 10 a.m. session?
Yes. The areas of the mini-farm are safe and accessible at any time of day: your children can watch and pet the animals whenever they want.
Is the mini-farm open outside of July and August?
Yes, from early April through mid-September. Outside of peak season, the atmosphere is simply more relaxed, but the morning gathering still takes place.
Do you have to pay for the activities?
No, everything is included. The Piki Club counselors offer activities for children ages 6–12 during school breaks and on holidays.
Is the mini-farm far from the campsites?
The mini-farm is located at the entrance to the campground, before the lodging area, yet still close to the campsites. This location was chosen to ensure peace and quiet for both families and animals.
