Tourism in Vendée
Book your 4-star camping holiday in Vendée and experience exceptional moments in our department, where nature and the sea are in perfect harmony. A delightful blend of terroir and the Atlantic Ocean, the Vendée invites you to explore its beaches, forests, marshes and famous bocage.
Ideally located in western France (Pays de la Loire region), the department enjoys regular sunshine throughout the year and a mild climate that has earned it the nickname “Côte de Lumière”. One of France’s favorite destinations, the Vendée coast offers your family the chance to mix the joys of the sea with a variety of leisure activities between land and sea.
Wherever you are in the Vendée, you’ll be amazed by the rich heritage and activities on offer.
Discover the Coast of Light
You can discover it on foot, by bike, on horseback, by train, by car, by boat or by rowing boat. Situated between land, ocean and marsh, the Vendée amazes with its myriad landscapes and colors.
From the island of Noirmoutier to the Marais Poitevin, the Vendée coast is dotted with fine sandy beaches such as Plage des Demoiselles in Saint-Jean-de-Monts and Plage du Veillon in Talmont-Saint-Hilaire.
Not forgetting, of course, the great seaside resorts of the Côte de Lumière, such as Les Sables-d’Olonne, Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie and La Tranche-sur-Mer.
A trip to the Vendée is also an encounter with history, such as the famous Puy du Fou, with the churches and castles that make each village unique, with an authentic terroir and with a region of great sailors from which the world’s toughest single-handed sailing race starts: the Vendée Globe.
The 85, a historic department
Take your family back in time! A historic department, the Vendée reveals its historical heritage from prehistory (Le Préhisto’site du CAIRN) to the First World War (Georges Clémenceau), the French Revolution and the Vendée War (La Cinéscénie du Puy du Fou).
Take the whole family on a great adventure to these sites steeped in history. Just 600 metres from the campsite, the CAIRN Préhisto’site lets you experience prehistory as if you were there!
Visit the museum’s website to find out more. On a different note, the history of the Vendée is summed up in the Grand Parc du Puy du Fou, voted best park in the world and a unique place for family fun.
The Vendée coastline
With 250 km of coastline and 140 km in length, the beaches of the Vendée are an ideal destination for water sports activities. La Grand’ Métairie campsite is located 4 km from Longeville sur Mer, between Les Sables d’Olonne and Jard sur Mer.
Typically Vendéen, the village of St Hilaire la Forêt offers quick access to the various beaches of the Côte de Lumière, just 10 minutes away, where surfing enthusiasts (beginners and amateurs) can enjoy quality spots.
Nearby, you can try your hand at windsurfing with Wave School in La Tranche-sur-Mer, canoeing/paddleboarding/catamaran/kayaking in Longeville-sur-Mer and sand yachting with the La Faute-sur-Mer nautical center on the Plage des Chardons.
Fishermen can climb aboard the Aigue Marine at Talmont Saint Hilaire’s Port Bourgenay for a cruise and a spot of sea fishing.
Nature outings in Vendée
Do you like hiking?
Strap on your walking shoes for the over 1,000 km of trails along the coast, through the Marais Poitevin, bocage, plain and forest.
You can also discover the secrets of beekeeping at La Folie de Finfarine or the joys of golf at Talmont during your stay at the family campsite La Grand’Métairie. Are you a thrill-seeker?
Have fun at the Château des Aventuriers, climb from tree to tree at the Indian Forest tree-climbing park, throw yourself into the XXL waterslides at O’Gliss Park near La Tranche and round off your stay in Vendée with the department’s flagship attraction: the Puy du Fou park and its famous ghost bird ball.
What to see in Vendée
The département boasts a number of magnificent châteaux, including the Château de Talmont (Richard the Lionheart’s former stronghold) and the Château de La Guignardière in Avrillé.
If religious heritage appeals to you, consider including Luçon’s Notre-Dame-de-l’Assomption cathedral, Aliénor Abbey (Nieul-sur-l’Autise), Saint-Nicolas-de-la-Chaume Church (Sables-d’Olonne) and Maillezais Abbey in your tour itinerary.
La Roche-sur-Yon, the prefecture of the Vendée, is home to a number of beautiful churches (Sacré-Coeur, Saint-Louis). After taking in the medieval era and the Renaissance, take another step back in history at the Cairn prehistoric center in Saint-Hilaire-la-Forêt, a stone’s throw from the campsite.
Prefer to wander through wide aisles? Visit the Musée de l’Automobile de Vendée (Talmont), the Museum du Coquillage (Sables-d’Olonne) and the fabulous Vendée aquarium Le 7ème Continent (Talmont).
Vendée nature reserves
Just a few kilometers away, you’ll find the town of Les Sables d’Olonne, a seaside resort with one of the largest beaches in western France and a fishing, yachting and commercial port.
If you like to admire and stroll through protected natural areas, take the time to visit the Baie de l’Aiguillon national nature reserve, the Saint Denis du Payré bird sanctuary, and the Marais Poitevin regional nature park.
The 15 most beautiful destinations in Vendée
Saint-Hilaire-la-Forêt
Our La Grand’Metairie campsite is located in the center of Saint-Hilaire-la-Forêt, a pretty little village with many tourist attractions.
Situated in the south of the Vendée, 6 km from the most beautiful beaches on the coast, it is one of the communes of the “Carnac Vendéen”, with its many megaliths such as the Dolmen de La Sulette. You can also visit the Préhisto’site du Cairn, an exhibition and fun trail entirely dedicated to prehistory.
With its footpaths, the commune’s natural environment is ideal for hiking, and you’ll be delighted to discover the charms of the region.
Talmont Saint Hilaire
Just 10 km from the campsite, Talmont Saint Hilaire is particularly famous for its Veillon, classified as a “Grand site de France”.
In fact, it’s a vast natural complex comprising a dune almost 1 km long, a magnificent golden sand beach, the Payré estuary, cliffs nestling in wild coves and a beautiful pine forest, all offering a sumptuous, ever-changing landscape where you can enjoy a wide range of leisure and sporting activities.
The Château de Talmont Saint-Hilaire, the former fortress of Richard the Lionheart, the Gothic-style Notre-Dame-de-Bourgenay chapel and the Guittière oyster-farming area are just some of the sites worth visiting.
Jard-sur-Mer
Set directly on the Atlantic Ocean, the seaside resort of Jard-sur-Mer has everything you need for a pleasant vacation.
Between pine forests, marshes and fine sandy beaches, you’ll be spoilt for choice when it comes to practicing your favorite water sport or hiking, walking or cycling to make the most of this magical environment.
But the town center is also very pleasant, with attractive shops such as La Cave des Chouans, a lively marina where you can enjoy a leisurely stroll.
Don’t miss the Monday market, one of the nicest in the region, where you can stock up on local produce just 7 km from the campsite!
Les Sables-d’Olonne
Visit Les Sables-d’Olonne, the largest seaside resort in the Vendée region, with 3 km of fine golden sandy beach right in the center of town.
The embankment is a popular promenade for tourists, who can stroll along, have a drink or find a good seafood restaurant while admiring the bay.
The town offers a wide range of cultural, sporting and discovery activities for holidaymakers, including visits to museums such as Coquillage and Blockhaus Hôpital, boat trips on the Rivière Salée, a visit to the ecozoo, a gourmet escapade at Le Chocolatier Sablais, and a sailing trip with Les Sports Nautiques Sablais.
All this less than 30 km from La Grand’Métairie.
Longeville sur mer
Nestled in the Marais Poitevin, just 5 km from our campsite, taking the time to visit Longeville sur Mer boasts a number of superb beaches renowned in the surfing world, including the large beach at Les Conches and Le Bouil, where you can take out your kitesurf sail or surfboard.
The Rocher beach is ideal for sand yachting, thanks to its vast expanse of wet sand. But don’t miss the chance to discover the exceptional flora and fauna of the Marais Poitevin on a boat trip to La Maison du Marais, or by night for an even more enchanting experience!
La Tranche sur mer
Also known as “Little California” for its exceptional sunshine, the town of La Tranche sur mer has plenty of character.
Situated on the coast opposite the Ile de Ré, 20 km from the campsite, it’s a friendly seaside resort that has kept its authentic spirit in a family atmosphere that’s ideal for vacations: a pretty town center, 13 km of golden sandy beaches, numerous spots for board sports, and no less than 30 km of cycle paths between pine forests, marshes and coastline.
It’s also easy to get to the Ile de Ré on a sea trip with Ouest Sea Zone, and discover the open ocean of Vendée.
Avrillé
Don’t hesitate to take a short bike ride, 4 km from our campsite, to discover the generous nature of the Avrillé commune. Don’t miss a visit to Château de la Guignardière, an intergenerational adventure park featuring 6 worlds representing different eras, set in an 86-hectare estate.
Discover Avrillé, also rich in a megalithic heritage which has been partly destroyed, but of which some fine examples remain, such as the Menhir du camp César, visible in the garden of the town hall.
La Roche-sur-Yon
A quintessentially Napoleonic town, La Roche-sur-Yon boasts many monuments and sites that bear witness to its construction in 1804, starting with its pentagonal shape and checkerboard layout dotted with strong neo-classical buildings, institutions that Napoleon believed were destined to build a modern France.
Lovers of history and architecture will be delighted to come on vacation to La Roche-sur-Yon to discover the national stud farm, the town hall, the Saint-Louis church, the courthouse and the prefecture.
Situated 32 km from our campsite, the town has other tourist attractions: a superb market under the covered market halls, the City Zèbre, a large indoor amusement park, the airfield offering parachute jumps, Axe Yon, a large paintball park, not forgetting a rich natural environment full of surprises.
Angles
Come and visit this adorable village built in the Middle Ages in the Poitevin marshlands, just 12 km from La Grand’Métairie. Why not plan a bicycle trip to discover the ancient fortified town of which La Tour Moricq is the emblem?
Once you’ve arrived in Angles, put down your mounts and let yourself wander through the town’s narrow streets, discovering the authentic charm of the limestone houses, be surprised by the Notre-Dame des Anges church, spot La Malebête at the very top – according to legend, it eats the beauty of girls… That’s all we have to say.
Moutiers les Mauxfaits
Located 11 km to the north-east of La Grand’Métairie campsite, the town is notable for its remarkable Halles, built in 1765. The architecture is impressive, and the framework a masterpiece of craftsmanship.
Don’t miss your Friday market after visiting Moutiers-les-Mauxfaits, where you can admire the building at your leisure and stock up on local produce.
Two amusement parks are also located in the commune: O’Gliss Park and Indian Forest.
Saint-Vincent sur Jard
Just 7 km south of the campsite, Saint-Vincent-sur-Jard boasts a range of fine sandy beaches, ideal for fishing and board sports: La Ragnette and Plage du Musée.
Enjoy long walks through the maritime pine forest or along the golden sand dunes, Saint-Vincent offers superb natural panoramas of the Ile de Ré or the Pointe du Grouin. You can also visit the house where George Clemenceau spent his golden years, facing the ocean and offering an oasis of calm and simplicity.
As in other communes in the region, you’ll find a number of dolmens and menhirs on your walks in the countryside, including the Dolmen du Grand Bouillac. So it’s safe to say that Saint-Vincent sur Jard is the ideal place to spend your vacation!
Saint-Jean-de-Monts
Located south of the island of Noirmoutier on the Côte de Lumière, 70 km from the campsite, the seaside resort of Saint-Jean-de-Monts is the ultimate family destination, boasting no less than 2,300 hours of sunshine a year!
With its 8 km of long golden sandy beaches, 26 km of cycle paths, spots for board sports and fishing, and 30 km of hiking trails between forests, marshes and dunes, it has no shortage of tourist attractions.
Don’t miss out on a day out to discover all the charms of the Pays de Monts. Now it’s your turn to discover Saint-Jean-de-Monts.
Saint-Hilaire-de-Riez
A beautiful commune that can be explored by bike along the cycle paths, bordered by the Marais Breton, which undulates with the colors of the sky, the rhythm of the seasons and the activity of the salt marshes.
There are lovely, gently sloping sandy beaches, a lively seaside resort with a market every day of the week, fun theme parks, Dino’s Park, Atlantic Toboggan and no fewer than 3 water sports centers for everyone to enjoy their favorite activity.
Don’t miss the chance to organize a unique horse-drawn carriage ride with Vincent, the coachman and storyteller, who knows this superb region inside out and tells you all about it with poetry along the way. Ideal for a vacation in Saint-Hilaire-de-Riez, just 1 h north of the coast.
Noirmoutier
It’s impossible to miss a visit to Noirmoutier, the island of mimosas, which can be reached in less than two hours via the remarkable bridge over the sea, where you can admire an unforgettable panorama of the coastline, or by crossing the Gois, depending on the tide – a magical experience!
Nature lovers, prepare to be enchanted by the landscape: sandy coves, golden sand dunes, windswept forests scented with maritime pines, salt marshes as far as the eye can see…
The island is best visited by bike, which can be rented by the day to make the most of this delicate and generous nature.
Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie
You’ll love wandering through the meandering streets of the town center, admiring the white houses dotted with hollyhocks, and strolling along the embankment, bustling with bar and restaurant terraces, overlooking the immense sandy beach that stretches all the way to Bretignolles.
Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie is a lively seaside town where there’s never a dull moment: boat trips on the ocean, on the La Vie river or through the marshes, a visit to the Atelier de la Sardine, the town’s emblem, a chic evening at the casino, lounging on the beach, surfing and many other water sports.
The town is a 1-hour drive from the campsite.
