Campsite in the Vendée

It's impossible to think of the Vendée without conjuring up images of vast golden, sandy beaches on the shores of the Atlantic Ocean. From large family-orientated beaches to small, untouched coves, the Vendée has something for all ages. You can laze on the fine sands of La Tranche-sur-Mer or admire the turquoise sea that surrounds Ile d'Yeu. A must-do during a Vendée camping holiday is a visit to the island of Noirmoutier with its stunning salt marshes and thriving salt-production industry.

The immense beaches of Les-Sables-d'Olonne are great for sand yachting, a thrilling activity where you hurtle across the sand. This town is home to the Vendée Globe, a famous solo round-the-world yacht race that only the most hardened sailors tackle.

The seaside resort of Saint-Jean-de-Monts is less-well-known but still has plenty on offer. Our favourite spot is Plage des Demoiselles, which is easy to reach and home to picturesque beach huts. Swimming is supervised, colourful totems help children find their way around, and there's also a play area for fun and games in between dips in the sea.

The Vendée has a strong Catholic past and is home to numerous abbeys. The Royal Abbey of Nieul-sur-l'Autise is a magnificent example of preserved Romanesque architecture. The remains of the Benedictine abbey of Saint-Pierre de Maillezais have a particular charm, perfect for a romantic stroll in a bucolic setting.

The Middle Ages saw the construction of numerous fortresses in the Vendée. The splendid Château de Tiffauges springs to life every summer with a host of events featuring damsels and knights. The Château de Talmont-Saint-Hilaire overlooks the coastline of the Pays Talmondais and will take you back a thousand years.

Have these cultural visits whetted your appetite? The local restaurants and markets are perfect for sampling delicious local specialities. Dig into the simple but super-tasty préfou, which is fresh white bread topped with garlic butter. You can also try Mojette, a white bean soup, or Choué, a local dish made with cabbage, onions, carrots and brisket. The coastline is also famous for its sardines and oysters. And to end on a sweet note, you can try a Vendée brioche, also known as gâche.

Use your camping holiday in the Vendée to explore the unmissable natural sites and get up close to their stunning flora and fauna. The Marais Poitevin Natural Park straddles the Vendée, Charente-Maritime and Deux-Sèvres departments, and is famous for its lush landscape and endless canals. Parents and kids alike will love going on a fun boat trip.

To the north of the department, you'll find the Marais Breton Vendéen with its wet meadows, salt marshes and gentle tides. Visitors can wander around polders and reed beds linked by canals and "étiers", which are narrow fresh and saltwater channels.

The Vendée has loads of recreational facilities for kids and teens. Water parks such as O'Gliss Park and Atlantic Toboggan promise refreshing days out with their thrilling giant water slides and fun pools. O'Gliss offers an area entirely dedicated to kids, a "Sunset Playa" solarium, turbulent rivers to travel down, with or without a rubber ring, and slides for thrill-seekers only!
 

Adventurious types will love the treetop adventure courses at O'Fun Park and the varied activities at Le Grand Défi (just next door to the Château la Forêt campsite), perfect for working on your agility and building self-confidence. Younger holidaymakers will love the pony rides at the equestrian centre. You can also admire animals from all over the world at the Sables-d'Olonne Zoo: over 400 animals from around fifty different species will take you on a journey across several continents.