vendee tourist information

Vendee travel guide

Visit Vendee (Pays de la Loire, France)

The Vendee is loved by both French and foreign visitors as a centre for family holidays on the long, gently sloping sandy beaches and for the popular family entertainment

Explore Vendée

The Vendee is a very popular area for visitors, especially those with children and those who appreciate the beaches and the family entertainments and attractions of the area. There are many places to visit and things to do in Vendee ... but most children apparently prefer to paddle than to look at cities and castles!

Vendée beaches and coastal resorts

In a department that attracts more than five million visitors a year, most visits to Vendée are concentrated in one of the many seaside resorts, with their long gently sloping sandy beaches and family friendly facilities. Vendee is best known as a centre for beach holidays, and for good reason. The Vendee beaches are perfect for children and great for windsurfers and birdwatching, and are often backed by pine forests, ideal for cycling.

Some parts of the coast are rather built up with holiday homes, others are lined with grand 19th century villas, and others backed by attractive pine woods, some are easily accessible and some require a bit of effort, but one thing is certain - you will certainly find a family beach to your liking somewhere here in Vendee! 

Travelling from north to south along the coast of Vendée you quickly reach the island of Noirmoutier , visited for both the beaches and for the towns and villages such as Noirmoutier-en-Ille.

Popular seaside resorts here include Notre-Dame-de-Monts , the most northern of the long sandy beach resorts in Vendée and also among the most visited, and Saint-Jean-de-Monts , among the most lively resorts in northern Vendee. Off the coast here you can enjoy a day following the coast path around the Ile d'Yeu , and relaxing on the island's beaches.

The resort of Saint-Hilaire-de-Riez and the town of Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie are only a short distance apart and together make an interesting destination: the popularity of Saint-Hilaire-de-Riez is clear as soon as you walk in the sunshine along the long sandy beach here and Saint Gilles Croix de Vie is one of the liveliest towns, ports and beaches on the Cote de Lumière.

Continuing towards the south, Bretignolles-sur-Mer is a small resort with a very long beach while Sables d'Olonne is one of the most upmarket resorts in this part of France and stays active into the evening with lots of restaurants and entertainments.

Talmont-Saint-Hilaire, the port at Port Bourgenay and the nearby beach at Plage de Veillon together make for an interesting destination: see Port Bourgenay .

The port town of Jard-sur-Mer has easy access to attractive beaches either side of the town harbour, and the town of Longeville-sur-Mer is just a few kilometres from the family friendly and surfing beaches at Le Bouil, Le Rocher and Les Conches.

With 'Station Kid', 'Famille Plus' and 'Blue Flag beach' awards La Tranche-sur-Mer is a popular family-orientated resort and at the southern end of the Vendee 'Côte de Lumière' La Faute-sur-Mer is on a peninsula lined with beaches and covered with forests.

See our guide to the beaches in Vendée to help you choose where to stay.

Towns and villages away from the beach

The eastern regions of Vendée are less visited than the coast but there are several interesting towns and villages to explore including Vouvant , classified among the 'most beautiful villages of France'.

There are several pretty villages, often little more than hamlets, that you will pass as you travel around the department, often without a particular noteworthy 'highlight', but no less enjoyable for that. Among them the village of Nieul-sur-l'Autise is visited for the 12th century Abbey of Saint Vincent.

One of the prettier market towns in the Vendée is Fontenay-le-Comte , officially listed as a 'town of art and history', where you can visit the castle and the historic centre. Lucon towards the south of the department has an interesting cathedral to visit.

Another highlight to the east of the Vendee is to be discovered in the unique marsh areas of the Marais Poitevin on the border between Charente-Maritime and Vendée, and on the edges of the Marais-Poitevin, you can visit the evocative ruins of Maillezais abbey .

Other attractions and entertainments in Vendee

As well as the resorts, towns and villages of Vendée there are other reasons to take your holiday in the department and the region has various popular family attractions including:

• the very popular Puy du Fou theme park - various special events and historical re-enactments take place in a carefully designed setting of France through the ages.
• Bluebeard's castle at Tiffauges has various displays and spectacles laid on for entertainment
• the water park at Oceanile, Noirmoutier
• the quiz-pathfinder games at Chateau de la Guignardiere.

Most regions of Vendée have some sort of festival or display close to hand, especially during the summer months - ask at the tourist office close to where you are staying.

Historical monuments in Vendee

Although less numerous than in the Loire Valley to the east there are a sprinkling of historical monuments to discover in the Vendee, including:

• the ruined abbey at Maillezais is on the border of the Marais Poitevin marshes
• the abbey at Nieul-sur-l'Autise is also in the Vendee department
• the 'Logis de la Chabotterie' is an interesting and entertaining way to learn about life in the region pre-Revolution

Nature & Outdoors

There are several ways to enjoy the natural environment of the Vendee department:

• there is more to the island of Noirmoutier than salt, enjoy one of the marked out nature trails
• the marshy region north of La Rochelle at Marais Poitevin - is a peaceful and unique marshland region
• take a boat out from the northern coastline of Vendee to explore the quiet island of Ile d'Yeu and its old chateau
• The Massif Forestier of Mervent-Vouvant is an extensive (13,000 acres) region, largely wooded, and criss-crossed with rivers, footpaths, cycle trails etc and has a lake where water-based activities can be pursued. It is in the south-eastern Vendee. Visit also the nearby village of Foussais-Payre.
• Many of the popular beaches are backed by extensive forets with marked nature trails to enjoy

Vendee is a 'cycle friendly' department and various routes are laid out, both along the coast and inland, and varying in length from about 20-65 kilometres - ask for the brochure 'Les sentiers cyclable' in any Vendee tourist office.

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Things to Do in Vendee, France - Vendee Attractions

Things to do in vendee, explore popular experiences, popular cities in vendee.

Top Attractions in Vendee

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France (The Vendée)

Lying between the major cities of Nantes and La Rochelle, the Vendée is tucked cosily into the top of the Bay of Biscay, just south of Brittany. Admittedly, unless you are heading specifically to it, you are unlikely to pass through. But that would be a pity. Angela Bird  and  Murray Stewart , authors of The Vendée and surrounding area: the Bradt Guide  

France is one of our hot destinations for the year ahead – check out the full list of the best places to travel in 2024 here .

The Vendée has everything you could want on holiday, from brilliant beaches to bloody history, juicy mussels to flavoursome wines, glittering saltpans to fantastic family entertainment. This sea-lapped département of the Pays de la Loire region is rich in wildlife, too. Its marshland habitats are just the place to see otters and coypu, storks and sacred ibis.

Don’t miss taking a trip to the Atlantic islands: Noirmoutier, Yeu and – just beyond the border, in Charente-Maritime – the sun-baked Île de Ré. Near this last island lies the historic town of La Rochelle, with its cobbled streets, myriad restaurants and harbourside watchtowers.

To the north of the Vendée, in neighbouring Loire-Atlantique, a more Breton flavour reigns at pretty Pornic, classy La Baule, or at Monsieur Hulot’s favoured holiday resort of St-Marc-sur-Mer. Work your way along the river Loire from St-Nazaire to the fantastic city of Nantes – and seek out some bizarre art installations on the way. After admiring Nantes’ sophisticated shops and fascinating museums, head for the town’s former shipbuilding district for a ride on a 12-metre-high mechanical elephant.

No visit to the Vendée would be complete without a day (or two) at Puy du Fou. The name embraces a daytime destination classed among the world’s top theme parks for its irresistible blend of entertainment and history; by night, 2,400 locals act out France’s most famous – and dazzling – son-et-lumière spectacle on a vast open-air stage alongside 130 horsemen and some astounding special effects.

Food and drink in The Vendée

You can eat very well in the Vendée, there’s little doubt about that. Traditional local specialities are hearty, peasant food like cabbage, and the white haricot beans known as mogettes – that would be set to simmer slowly in the embers of the kitchen fire while a family toiled in the fields. With such a long coastline and active fishing industry, fish and shellfish are an important part of the culinary repertoire. It’s true that this is not the French département with the most refined, sophisticated food, but the excellence of what you will find here depends on the focus on a number of high-quality raw ingredients and products that make the short journey from sea or land to the plate with not too much human interference. As you might expect, La Rochelle and Nantes offer a greater range of ethnic cuisine than you will find in the Vendée itself.

Health and safety in The Vendée

Obviously, it is best to take out comprehensive travel insurance for your annual holiday. Visitors from the UK should always take their European Health Insurance Card ( EHIC ). With this, you can claim some reimbursement of medical expenses under the reciprocal arrangement between Britain and France. Keep an eye on the expiry date of your EHIC; again, post-Brexit arrangements may affect UK residents’ entitlements from this scheme in the future.

After consulting and paying the doctor or dentist take the feuille de soins (medical treatment form) that you are given and hand it to the chemist with your ordonnance (prescription) form. The chemist dispenses the drugs (it is most important to keep any sticky labels from the boxes), and add their details to the form. Gather together the form and sticky labels, your EHIC and passport (or a photocopy of its important pages, if you are posting it). Take or send these to the nearest Caisse Primaire d’Assurance Maladie (CPAM), which are located at La Roche-sur-Yon, Challans, Fontenay-le-Comte, Luçon, Les Herbiers and Les Sables-d’Olonne. You should get quite a large percentage of your costs reimbursed.

The offices at La Roche and Les Sables can arrange to hand over the cash, or at least a cheque you can cash locally; otherwise the system operates by sending a cheque to your home address in around six weeks.

Chemists are often consulted about minor ailments and discuss them with doctor-like gravity, binding up sprained ankles and dishing out reasonably strong medicines without the need for getting into the intricacies of the French health system. You do not, however, get reimbursed for this treatment.

For a minor beach injury, seek out the lifeguard post, where personnel should be trained in first-aid. For a serious accident or illness, call 15 from a fixed phone for the SAMU (paramedics), or 18 for the pompiers (fire brigade). The pompiers have ambulances too, and are trained in medical emergency treatment; they are often likely to be quickest on the scene if you are a long way from a town. From a mobile phone, dial 112 to reach any of the emergency services, and the operator will be able to pinpoint your position. Main hospitals are signposted with a red cross logo, either as (in ascending order of importance): CH ( centre hospitalier ); CHD ( centre hospitalier départemental ); CHR ( centre hospitalier régional) ; or CHU ( centre hospitalier universitaire).

There are Accident & Emergency departments ( urgences ) at: Challans (CH, Boulevard de l’Est, on the northeast corner of the inner ring road); Les Sables-d’Olonne (CH, on the D160, 4km northeast of Les Sables); La Roche-sur-Yon (CHD, on the Cholet road at Les Oudairies, on the northeast side of town), which has satellite establishments in Luçon and Montaigu . Outside the Vendée, you will find urgencies at Nantes (CHU Hôtel-Dieu, Place Alexis-Ricordeau, in the city centre); St-Nazaire (CH, Boulevard Georges Charpak, west of the centre); Cholet (CH, Rue Marengo, southwest of town); Niort (CH, 40 Avenue de Gaulle, south of the city); and La Rochelle (CH, Boulevard Joffre, east of the centre).

Travel clinics and health information

A full list of current travel clinic websites worldwide is available on  ISTM . For other journey preparation information, consult  NaTHNac  (UK) or  CDC  (US). Information about various medications may be found on  NetDoctor . All advice found online should be used in conjunction with expert advice received prior to or during travel.

In respect of activities, safety rules and regulations are not always as stringently adhered to as they are in the United Kingdom. You are now usually routinely issued with lifejackets or hard-hats before canoeing, horseriding or karting jaunts, and bike helmets must be worn by the under 12s. Where given the choice of wearing bike helmets or not, French adults seem to choose not to, but tougher laws may follow soon.  Safety arrangements at zoos, wildlife parks, lofty viewpoints and some amusement parks can still occasionally seem a bit casual.

As regards personal safety in The Vendée, street-crime rates are mercifully low. Nevertheless, upgrade your vigilance in crowded markets and lock valuables in the boot of your car. Seaside towns have their share of unruly summer visitors, but if you avoid dodgy nightspots and dark back streets you should be unaffected by them. As in major cities anywhere, it pays to be streetwise about money or valuables when visiting larger places such as Nantes or St-Nazaire.

Most people will be aware of the terrorist attacks which have struck France in recent years. Although these initially targeted Paris, the awful Bastille Day strike on Nice in 2016 showed that other towns are not immune, and it is now common to see armed police at airports or patrolling the promenades of seaside resorts. Visitors can play their part by looking after their belongings and staying vigilant. For the latest advice, do check the Foreign and Commonwealth Office website . If you have a

Smartphone, you can also download a recently created App known as SAIP ( système d’alerte et d’information des populations ) which gives alerts to any major incidents of a natural, terrorist or technological nature. Road safety is an issue for everyone, residents and visitors alike, with road deaths nearly twice the level experienced in the UK.

As regards safety in The Vendée for women travellers, there should be no particular concerns for women visitors travelling alone in France. Take the same precautions as you do at home

Senior travellers

Seniors travelling to France on holiday need have no particular concerns. One slightly disappointing aspect is that comparatively few visitor attractions offer discounts to senior citizens, though it’s always worth enquiring when buying a ticket.

Local train services offer a ‘découverte sénior’ rate for over 60s (just ask when booking), with a reduction of 25% on off-peak fares. If you are going to do alot of rail travel, it could be worth investing in a ‘ carte sénior+’ (€60 for a year at the time of writing) to obtain even greater reductions over the entire national rail network.

Travellers with disabilities

Parking spaces for disabled-badge holders are provided at tourist attractions and supermarkets. A blue ‘Tourisme et Handicap’ logo indicates hotels, restaurants or attractions accessible to wheelchairs, or with arrangements in place to help those with other disabilities.

Most beaches now have ramps leading down to them, and sometimes mats continuing a little way onto the sand. During July and August, several seaside resorts provide at their lifeguard stations free loan of beach-buggy-style wheelchairs called ‘Tiralo’ or ‘Hippocampe’) to those visitors with limited mobility ( à mobilité réduite , or handicapé ). These allow bathers to be assisted right into the water.

Wheelchair-bound fishing enthusiasts are well catered for: many riverbanks and lakesides have specially designed pontoons jutting out over the water.

The traditional single-storey construction of many Vendée buildings means that museums are often on ground level only. Newer establishments are, of course, designed with accessibility in mind, often furnished with lifts and featuring such facilities as toilets for the disabled. Older hotels and museums can still have daunting flights of steps. If in doubt, contact the venue for up-to-date information. ‘ Est-ce que c’est accessible aux fauteuils roulants?’ or ‘ Y a-t-il des toilettes pour handicapés?’ are useful phrases if you need to check wheelchair access or the existence of toilets for the disabled, and ‘ Avezvous des chambres au rez-de-chaussée?’ to ask about ground-floor bedrooms.

Ethnic minority travellers

Compared with many parts of the United Kingdom, the USA or indeed French cities such as Paris, Marseille, Toulouse or Montpellier, the rural expanses and small towns and villages of the Vendée can hardly be described as ethnically mixed. Having said that, France as a whole is a veritable hotchpotch of races, and visitors from abroad with non-white skins should not attract any undue or unwanted attention. Nantes is a cosmopolitan, multi-ethnic city.

LGBTQ+ travellers

Same-sex marriage is legal in France. While there is no reason why gay and lesbian travellers should have concerns visiting this region, the Vendée is a fairly conservative place, particularly away from the coastal resorts. Discretion is always advisable in displaying public affection, whatever your sexuality.

Although the actual content is fairly limited, the Adheos website purports to list gay-friendly establishments in the Vendée and Charente-Maritime, while GayViking  gives details of the same for Nantes.

Travelling with kids

If ever a visitor destination was set up beautifully for children, then surely it is the Vendée and its surroundings. This is particularly so on the coast, with dozens of child-orientated campsites and miles of gorgeous sandy beaches, many of them Blue Flag and many of which are supervised in July and August.

But it’s not all about building sandcastles: families can take advantage of waterparks, theme parks and endless kid-focused distractions by the sea. Inland, a pronounced feature of many historic sites is the effort that has been put in to make them user-friendly for younger visitors. Hence, as well as the stunning spectacles of Le Puy du Fou, you will find castles with costumed actors, treasure hunts and medieval games for the little ones while parents soak up the history of the surroundings.

The ages at which discounts for youngsters apply vary from site to site and family tickets are often available if you have two children or more. When it comes to food, many restaurants offer children’s menus, while there is usually a child-friendly pizzeria or crêperie in most towns.

Travel and visas in The Vendée

Short stays.

Citizens of Ireland and other EU countries do not need a visa to visit France. At the time of writing, citizens of the UK also have no need of a visa to visit France. (The ongoing Brexit negotiations between the UK and its soon-to-be-former EU partners will determine any future requirements.) A valid passport or National Identity Card is currently sufficient.

There is no 90-day limit on the length of stay, though there may be certain limitations imposed on citizens of some of the member countries who have recently joined the EU.

Citizens of the United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand and certain other countries can visit France as tourists for up to 90 days with a valid passport, and have no need of visas for The Vendée either.

Citizens of other countries visiting France will need to obtain a Schengen visa, valid for up to 90 days, which involves showing that you have sufficient funds and the necessary travel insurance. You should apply well in advance.

Longer stays

Even if staying beyond 90 days, citizens of the UK, Ireland and other EU countries currently have no need for visas for The Vendée, nor do they need a residence card ( carte de séjour ) provided they are living and working legally in France.

Citizens of the United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand and certain other countries who wish to stay in France for longer than 90 days should also contact their nearest French Embassy/Consulate well in advance of their trip, as the procedure can be very lengthy, and it is not possible to extend visas from inside France. 

Those who hold a long-term visa will need to obtain a carte de séjour from the office of the mayor ( mairie ) within eight days of their arrival in France.

Getting there and away

By air .

Although there are no international airports within the Vendée itself, the area is easily accessible through the nearby airports of Nantes ( Aéroport Nantes Atlantique ) and La Rochelle ( La Rochelle-Île de Ré ). A variety of airlines currently fly directly from several airports in the UK, and from Ireland, particularly during the summer.

Particularly for the many campers travelling from the UK and Ireland, taking the ferry or tunnel across the water to France and then driving down to the Vendée can be a practical and attractive option. If you are travelling as a family, it can also be cost effective and allows you to take as much luggage as your vehicle can hold. The shortest driving times can be obtained by taking the ferry to St-Malo in Brittany.

By train/tunnel

For car drivers, the tunnel provides an alternative to sea travel. For foot passengers, an improved rail network to the region makes travelling by train a realistic alternative, though once in the region the options for getting about by public transport do somewhat hamper your flexibility.

Getting around

For many visitors, cycling around the Vendée is a real treasure, with its flat landscape and hundreds of kilometres of cycle paths. Cycling the Vendée is best suited to those who are not adrenalin junkies or hard-core off-roaders, but is certainly ideal for families, novices and those who perhaps haven’t put foot to pedal for some time. 

If you plan to see much of this area in a condensed period of time, then taking your own vehicle or hiring one is the only practicable option. On the other hand, if you are intending to stay in one location for a beach holiday, and don’t mind a bit of travel logistics to get there in the first place, a car may be unnecessary. Taking your own car to France requires awareness of some specific legal requirements.

Public transport

If you are a fanatic of public transport and love logistics, you could get round the main towns in the Vendée using buses. The train can also be useful if you want to visit cities/towns like Nantes, La Rochelle, St-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie, St-Hilaire-de-Riez, La Baule and St-Nazaire. The rail network also reaches Les Sables-d’Olonne, La Roche-sur-Yon, Chantonnay, Pouzauges and Luçon, among others.

When to visit The Vendée

The Vendée generally enjoys considerably warmer weather than that of southern England, an oceanic climate with hot summers and mild, damp winters. Wind is a feature much of the time, providing welcome natural cooling in high summer and attracting watersports fanatics. Inland, incidences of extreme weather increase can occur, with occasional intense heatwaves ( canicules ) in summer and some frosty days in winter.

But weather is not the only factor determining the best time to come to the Vendée. Like many tourist hotspots in Europe, the region shows a huge spike in visitor numbers in July and August, with a peak during the French school holidays – particularly from around 14 July to 15 August. Visiting at this time has some ‘pros’, as  all  visitor attractions, tourist offices and restaurants will be open on most days. The ‘cons’ are that everywhere will be busy, with heavy traffic, a squeeze on parking (especially on the coast) and the challenge of finding a spot on the beaches.

Accommodation prices during this time will also be at the top of the curve and advanced booking becomes essential. Easter, the month of May with its large number of public holidays, and the half-term weeks leading up to Toussaint (at the start of November) are other busy holiday times. Outside the peak periods, it can be surprisingly quiet, even in warm, sunny months such as June and September. Hiring a  gîte , or a mobile home on a campsite, during these times can be less than half the cost of peak-time rental.

Many accommodation options and visitor attractions will close for up to a month at some period between November and February, as their owners take a well-earned rest or carry out maintenance. These closures may vary from year to year, so visiting during this time requires careful checking or your choices can be limited. Apart from seaside and purely child-orientated activities, there is still plenty to visit between May and October, but if you are coming for a specific attraction, do check the relevant website in advance to ensure that it will be operating: opening hours may change from one year to another. Main museums and cultural sites are open – at weekends at least – almost all year.

Vendée Globe

It may only happen every four years, but do take your chance to welcome home the intrepid round-the-world solo sailors in this world-famous race; winners should be arriving at Les Sables-d’Olonne before the month end.

Elephant safari

Ride Nantes’s gigantic mechanical elephant, a testament to the city’s industrial past and proof of its extraordinary creative heartbeat. Safari season starts again this month so climb on board!

Brace yourself

Put on your walking boots for some scenic coastal strolls on the island of Noirmoutier. If the weather is kind, you could even cross the Passage du Gois – at low tide, of course.

April  

Vélodyssée vendée.

Take to two wheels to enjoy the coastal section of this long-distance cycle route. Start at Bouin and finish at L’Aiguillon, taking in the best of the region’s seaside delights. Flat terrain, bracing sea air – what more could you want? 

Buried treasure

Early May is the time for the first Bonnotte potatoes – one of the finest delicacies around – to be dug up in Noirmoutier’s sandy soil, a perfect off-season time to cross the Passage du Gois and visit this delightful island.

History at its most dramatic

The Grand Parc du Puy du Fou is open daily from now till early September. Book early for a performance of the dazzling, night-time Cinescenie show, which is performed every weekend.

Turn the clock back

See the market town of Autrefois Challans revert to 1910, with stalls and traditional entertainment filling the streets. For two Thursdays in July and two in August, there is fun for all ages!

Fireworks by the sea

Don’t miss the Vendée’s biggest and best annual firework display, created by master pyrotechnician Jacques Couturier, which takes place over the harbour at St-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie in the middle of the month.

Cool it in the Venise Verte

This is an ideal time to rent a boat and paddle lazily through beautiful tree-lined canals of the romantic ’Green Venice‘ area.

Birdwatching at Pointe de l’Aiguillon

There may be fewer tourists at this time of year but, during the autumn months, around 250,000 birds pass this way en route to warmer winter climes. From September to the end of October, volunteers from the LPO (the ‘French RSPB’) greet visitors at weekends, 15.00–18.00.  

A winter’s hideaway

Hole up in the beguiling Île d’Yeu, and paint, write or walk the empty beaches. Far from the madding crowds, this is a great place for a true winter retreat. 

Christmas shopping?

Treat yourself to a pre-Christmas weekend break in La Rochelle, and browse through the arcades before settling down in one of the many waterfront restaurants. 

What to see and do in The Vendée

Your first impression on arriving at this delightful town on the banks of the Sèvre Nantaise River, just 45 minutes southeast of Nantes and just across the northernmost border of the Vendée, is of having somehow strayed into a corner of Tuscany – an unexpected side-effect of the Vendée Wars.

The Republicans’ relentless ‘fire-and-sword’ policy ruined the castle in 1794 and flattened Clisson, leaving just two ancient bridges across the Sèvre and its tributary, the Moine. Rebuilding was started in Italian style by wealthy brothers Pierre and François Cacault, with Frédéric Lemot, a sculptor whom they had known in Italy.

The idea caught local imagination and from the early 19th century all kinds of Italianate buildings – including factories – grew up along the two rivers. Today, on summer nights when they are floodlit, Clisson’s ruined castle, steep cobbled streets and flights of steps take on a truly magical quality. Try to avoid visiting between Sunday and Tuesday, though, as either castle or shops are closed. Across the ancient packhorse bridge, the St-Antoine district on the north side of the river is taking on a new lease of life.

In recent years, a smart hotel has opened in the restored watermill, and around the town centre are a clutch of art galleries, smart shops and one of the upmarket La Fraiseraie ice-cream parlours. Just outside town, though easily walkable, is the gateway to the Garenne Lemot park. Back on the south side of the bridge, Friday mornings see Clisson’s busy street market. There are restaurants to suit every taste and pocket, and shady picnic places near the Moulin Plessard watersports base, about 500m southeast.

Clisson enjoys a full programme of festivities throughout the year but oenophiles might brighten up their winters on the first Sunday in December with a visit to the Nouvel An du Muscadet, where tasting the year’s new wines is the focus. Rather more left-field for this peaceful area is the Hellfest, a heavy-metal festival that rocks the place every June.

Time seems to have stood still on the picturesque island known as the Île d’ Yeu , 23km 2 of pure bliss that lie less than an hour off the coast to the west of St-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie.

Few cars travel the gorse-lined lanes, and the island’s houses, often topped with pretty weather vanes and shuttered in gentle colours, seem bleached by the thousands of hours of sunshine that beat down on them.

Bicycle is king along the quays of the island’s capital, Port-Joinville, though challenged by Renault 4s and Citröen 2CVs, cars of yesteryear that dare to push gently through the hordes of bronzed, bicycled summer residents towing shopping trailers behind their two-wheeled transport. In Rue de la République, the narrow shopping street just one block back from the seafront, even bikes are frowned on, and pedestrians have it to themselves. In July and August, the market takes place daily.

The northeast side of the island is full of sheltered, sandy beaches for swimming and picnicking. On weekdays off-season, take your pick and you may have the sands to yourself.

More dramatic features will be found on the wild, rocky south coast: the 40m-high Grand Phare, or lighthouse, built in the 1950s; the caves on the Sables Rouis beach; the ruins of a feudal fortress (the Vieux Château); the pretty fishing harbour of Port de la Meule overlooked by the tiny, whitewashed chapel of Notre-Dame-de-Bonne-Nouvelle, to the east; a Toytown-sized harbour on the western edge of the sandy Plage des Vieilles; and, in the village of St-Sauveur at the centre of the island, an attractive Romanesque church – one of the oldest in the Vendée – founded in the 6th century by St Martin of Tours.

Among several Neolithic monuments is an enormous, rat-shaped stone, the pierre tremblante , balanced above a cliff to the east of Port de la Meule, which will move if pressed firmly in a particular spot.

In 1945, the 90-year-old Marshal Pétain, who headed France’s pro-German Vichy government during World War II, was incarcerated in the gloomy Pierre-Levée fort after his death sentence for treason was commuted to life imprisonment. He died six years later, and is buried in the island’s cemetery.

Yes, there are points of interest here to fill your days, but the perfect experience on this island pearl is to grab a bike and pedal gently, your nostrils filling with floral scents, then pine, perhaps a hint of wood-smoke, then flowers yet again. If you can linger longer than a day, the island will grab hold of you, massaging you into a slower pace of life, one that is all too rare, all too necessary.

At Ascension, in even-numbered years, the island holds a flower festival, while in odd-numbered years there is a festival of the sea. If you’re looking for culinary specialities, try the tuna, the patagos / palourdes (clams) served with cream sauce, morgates (squid), tarte aux pruneaux (prune tart) or Min-Min (prune-and-butter sweets).

Once four separate islands, Île de Ré is now just one – and a rather delightful one, too. Joined to the mainland by an impressive bridge that connects just northwest of La Rochelle, the island can hardly be called ‘undiscovered by visitors’, whether they come from the rest of France or further afield.

Undiscovered, no, but – to the outsider eye at least – largely unspoilt. True, the infrastructure is firmly in place here to greet the crowds that arrive year after year in the summer holidays. Campsites, hotels, holiday villages and chambres d’hôte are all here to host you, while there are plenty of delicious markets and good-quality restaurants to feed you.

More than half of the properties here are second homes, shuttered up for most of the year while their owners reside in Paris or elsewhere in mainland France. The result? House prices resemble telephone numbers! The good news for visitors is that this influx of outsiders has raised the level of cuisine on offer here, a notch up from what you might expect. Island prices are high though, so expect to pay more for your morning coffee.

If you do decide to bring your car and then insist on using it to any degree, you will find yourself in the minority, for two wheels are better than four on Ré. Ample cycle paths lace this flat island and they are well used, even in off-season and on the odd days when it rains. Bikes can be hired in every village of note, with electric ones for those who need assistance.

The ten quaint island villages are impeccably kept, from low-level La Flotte to the more imposing but elegant three-storey ‘bourgeois’ edifices of St-Martin-de-Ré, the island capital. Some of the 30 beautiful beaches become visible from the bridge before you even arrive on the island, but the best ones decorate the southern shores a little further west.

La Rochelle

Less than a half-hour’s drive south of the Vendée sits the capital of Charente-Maritime département, the lively seaport of La Rochelle. A modestly proportioned town of 80,000 inhabitants, this is a fascinating place with history oozing from its arcades, harbour and quaint streets, before you even get to its collection of diverse museums.

‘ Belle et rebelle ’ (‘Beautiful and rebellious’) is the Rochelais motto, apt for a city that is both elegant and steeped in a history of resistance. Fully deserving of its reputation as one of France’s best-known and most attractive ports, this historic city is within easy reach for anyone staying in the south Vendée. Indeed, its airport and railway station make La Rochelle highly accessible from Britain as a short-break destination in its own right and it’s also a renowned stopover for sailors.

Principal shopping streets are the Grande-Rue des Merciers, full of half-timbered buildings, and Rue du Palais, which has a branch of the Galeries Lafayette department store.

Particularly pleasing are the covered, arched and galleried pavements which hide the shopfronts for those who want to see unspoilt façades but which allow the retail fun to continue in bad weather. The market on Wednesday and even more so on Saturday is a must, with the surrounding streets closed to traffic.

In the roads around the fairy-tale-style hôtel de ville (town hall), look out for the 16th-century Maison Henri II, the mirrored gilt splendour of the Café de la Paix on Place de Verdun, and the Porte de la Grosse Horloge – the gateway between port and city. La Rochelle also offers a small, town-centre beach: tiny Plage de la Concurrence, just west of the Tour de la Lanterne.

Marais Poitevin

A narrow coastal strip; a huge expanse of open fenland or ‘dry marshes;’ and a captivating area of ‘wet marshland’ bearing the name of La Venise Verte, or ‘Green Venice’: these three elements combine to form the Marais Poitevin, or Poitou Marshes, that occupy nearly all the terrain of the southern Vendée. It is the second-largest wetland in France (after the Camargue).

On the coastal strip, La Tranche-sur-Mer is renowned for its beaches, sunshine and watersports and has long revelled in its reputation as a popular holiday destination. Along with the neighbouring resorts of La Faute and L’Aiguillon-sur-Mer, it provides the ideal location for those seeking a relaxing time on the sands, and offers enough leisure attractions within easy striking distance, perfect for days when doing nothing proves to be just too much.

Inland, nearly 50,000ha of land reclaimed from the sea constitute the dry marshes, by far the biggest part of the Marais Poitevin Natural Park. If you’re looking for distractions from the flatness of this treeless landscape, just head northeast to the wine village of Mareuil, or visit Luçon – a dignified town with a cathedral that has for centuries been the seat of the bishops of the Vendée. Birdwatchers will revel in the numerous species on view at St-Denis-du-Payré.

But while the coastline and the inland towns of the dry marshes certainly have their attractions, the flagship feature of this southern part of the Vendée is the area known as the Venise Verte, or ‘Green Venice’ which spills over the Vendean border and shares its delights with the two neighbouring départements of Charente-Maritime and Deux-Sèvres. No-one coming to this region should miss a trip to this, the most famous area of what is France’s second-largest humid zone.

This carefully preserved green and leafy part of the southern marshlands is full of picturesque villages, which together with numerous canals and cycleways play their part in luring around 1.5 million visitors to the Marais Poitevin every year. Here, you can travel by boat or bike among a maze of tranquil, tree shaded waterways – a wonderful antidote to the frenzy of everyday life.

Shipbuilding, biscuit manufacturing, sugar refining and food canning were the traditional livelihoods of this pleasant river port of just under 300,000 inhabitants, making it France’s sixth-largest city.

Include the larger metropolitan area and the population doubles. And it’s a population that’s steadily increasing: a former European Green Capital and straddling the Loire, Nantes is regularly voted by readers of influential French magazines as the town in which they would most like to live and certainly has enough to justify a couple of days’ stay.

For visitors, this is perhaps a city still lacking a bit of international high profile, but it’s certainly not through want of trying. Renovated museums, constantly changing art installations and a well-presented history added to a decent gastronomy and a swish transport network ensure that the city is always ready to welcome you. 

Along the river to the west, you will easily spot la grue jaune , one of the two decommissioned giant Titan cranes that still keep alive a trace of the shipbuilding past of the city. Located opposite the Maillé-Brézé warship, now a visitor attraction in its own right, this brightly painted yellow crane near the west end of the Île de Nantes reminds us that thousands used to work here, commuting on the old transporter bridge, a model of which you can see in the Chantiers Navals museum.

Harnessing the city’s traditional metalworking heritage, an inventive company has installed workshops to produce Les Machines de l’Île – crazily inspired creations that are a cross between the dreams of Jules Verne and of William Heath Robinson. Ever ridden on a mechanical elephant? Or a giant spider? Now is your chance! As well as this ‘surrealistic bestiary’, other inhabitants of the creative quarter of the Île de Nantes include a maritime-themed carousel and a host of other thought-provoking artworks, including Les Anneaux de Buren , a series of 18 enlightened rings that frame the river landscape.

Nantes’ historical quarters have two distinct characters, divided by the Cours des 50 Otages – a central north–south boulevard. To the east is the old town, a series of narrow pedestrianised streets around the chateau and the Ste-Croix church containing 15th- and 16th-century houses and many small shops, plus a branch of the Galeries Lafayette department store (on Rue de la Marne).

To the west lies the busy Place du Commerce, a bustling interchange for tram and bus passengers. Off it, Rue de la Fosse has some chic shops en route to smart Place Royale. Also off Place du Commerce is the Passage Pommeraye, a unique 19th-century arcade on three different levels linked by decorated steps that rise steeply to finish at Rue Crébillon – the city’s smartest shopping street. (Whether you choose to shop there or not, walking the Passage Pommeraye is a must.)

Up here, turn left for Place Graslin, with its shiny-stoned opera house and glorious turn-of-the-century brasserie, La Cigale, which demands of you at least a coffee stop. Just south of Place Graslin lies an elegant, traffic-free avenue of 18thcentury houses called Cours Cambronne. In the historic centre, look out for street signs in both French and Breton, reminding you again that Nantes was once the capital of Brittany .

For fun, there’s the annual Voyage à Nantes and the Folle Journée, a themed classical-music festival which stretches across five days in early February. Jazz fans flock to town at the beginning of September for Les Rendezvous de l’Erdre .

Passage du Gois

A drive either to, or from, Noirmoutier island along this part-cobblestone causeway edged with seaweed and glistening with sea water is a magical experience – particularly on a moonlit night. Until 1971 the 4.5km causeway, passable just twice a day either side of low water, was the only access to Noirmoutier, except for a passenger ferry from Pornic.

Its dog-leg route is studded with sturdy poles and platforms that provide windswept sanctuary for anyone caught out by the rising waters; if you return for a look at high tide you can see why they might be necessary!

Nature and tides are merciless, and the road has a history of being damaged and destroyed by storms. You should treat this phenomenon with the greatest respect. Tide tables ( horaires des marées ) are available from tourist offices in the area to indicate safe crossing times, which vary each day.

For the 3 hours that bridge the low tide, there is an extraordinary amount of activity, as the locals drive off onto the occasional hard area of seabed to take advantage of extra-low tides. They scrabble in the mud flats for cockles and clams, or search out oysters and other shellfish, accompanied by tractors to haul the catch to dry ground. At the island end of Le Gois , signboards give information about the birdlife and the 2011 construction of the causeway, which was visited by the 1993 and 2011 Tour de France cycling events.

Allow plenty of time to cross at peak periods (summer Sunday afternoons, and throughout July and August); it can be a bit worrying to find yourself stuck in a traffic jam, beginning to fret about the rising tide.

The handsome bridge from near Fromentine now provides alternative – if less exciting – road access. For the return to the mainland, follow the signposts to Sortie de L’Île or even occasionally ‘ continent ’ – either par le pont (by the bridge) or par Le Gois (by the causeway).

Astonishing special effects, dancing horses, castles that rotate, Viking longships that emerge from underwater, audiences that revolve, jousting knights, fantastic panoramic cinemas, spectacular dance sequences, fire and smoke, automated minstrels … surely there can be no better way to have a history lesson than to visit the Puy du Fou?

A whole day is not enough to take in the ever-increasing amount of entertainment on offer at this immaculately conceived, wonderfully crafted and impeccably organised multi-award-winning ‘historical theme park’ which celebrated its 40 th anniversary in 2017. Every year, the park develops, constantly innovating to maintain its place as one of the world’s very best.

In between these spectaculars, rest assured that there will never be a dull moment. You will visit immaculate gardens; a reconstructed 18th-century Vendean village (including a spookily gloomy tunnel with re-creations of scenes from the Vendée Wars); a ‘medieval’ township full of costumed entertainers and wandering pigs and poultry; a fort and thatched village typical of the year 1000; fountains that ‘dance’ to Baroque music; and the secret world of the Templars, guided by a medieval knight.

A large indoor theatre houses the ‘Mousequetaire de Richelieu’ show, its weak plotline compensated for by much 17th-century swashbuckling, fantastic equestrian displays on water, swordfights and a stomping dance finale that rightly belongs in Andalucia.

If the budget allows, you could book into the reasonably priced on-site hotels (there are five of them!) and take two days to enjoy the attractions.

More information about Puy du Fou

To learn more about this magical, borderline surreal family experience, visit the website at puydufou.com .

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Top 10 of the Most Stunning Places in the Vendée 

Whether you prefer to explore wild forest trails, wander around patchwork salt marshes, or gaze out over miles of golden beaches—you can pick your panorama in this Western France department. From photo-worthy views that you’ll be dying to share to secret spots you’ll want to keep all to yourself; here are 10 of the most stunning places in the Vendée. 

1. Passage du Gois , Noirmoutier  

Few sights are as emblematic of the Vendée as the rocky causeway that links Beauvoir sur Mer on the mainland to the island of Noirmoutier. Passable only at low tide, the “Passage du Gois” is not only the region’s most unique road trip, but a natural phenomenon, formed by stacks of sand and silt at the meeting point of two Atlantic currents.   

Gaze out across the B ay of Bourgneuf as you drive, cycle, or hike the 4.2km road through the sea, venture out into the bay to hunt for shellfish, or attend the annual Les Foulées du Gois, which sees athletes race against the tide. Check the tide times here before you set out, as it’s only accessible for a few hours a day; the rest of the time, you’ll need to cross the bridge from nearby La Barre-de-Monts.  

Don’t get stuck out in the Passage du Gois! © RobArt Photo / shutterstock

2. Passerelle de la Belle-Henriette, La Tranche-sur-Mer  

Hidden away in the southern reaches of the Vendée, the Réserve Naturelle Nationale de la Belle Henriette is a wild pocket of protected marshland centred around a natural saltwater lagoon.   

Walking the passerelle , a 130-meter-long boardwalk that winds its way across the lagoon to the sandy L a Belle Henriette beach, serves up ever-changing views. Come at low tide to enjoy bird-watching across the marshes, or time your visit for sunrise or sunset, when the light dances across the lagoon waters. In the off-season, you might even have the beach all to yourself, and on a clear day, views stretch all the way to the islands of neighbouring Charente-Maritime .   

La Tranche-sur-Mer beach © Elisa Locci / shutterstock

3. Route du Sel, Marais Breton  

The Vendée’s ever-changing coastal landscapes are bordered by sprawling saltwater marshes. The Marais Breton blankets the northwest with more than 45,000 hectares of crisscrossing canals, lush wet meadows, and salt marshes.   

The most scenic way to explore is by canoe, and tours set out from Sallertaine along the waterways of the Route du Sel . Paddle through the heart of the marshes, stopping to peek around rural villages and historic windmills, then visit the Daviaud open-air museum to discover the age-old traditions of salt harvesting.   

Canoe along the Route du Sel © Alexandre Lamoureux

4. Plage du Veillon, Payré estuary  

Halfway between Les Sables d’Olonne and La Tranche-sur-Mer, the Payré estuary might be one of the Vendée’s best-kept secrets. Flanked with salt marshes and oyster farms, including France’s smallest oyster farm at La Guittière , it’s also home to the Blue Flag Plage du Veillon.  

With swathes of blonde sand curling out into the estuary and a backdrop of rugged dunes and pine forests, it’s a magnificent backdrop for swimming, surfing, and kitesurfing, all of which are popular pastimes. For the best views, cross to the opposite shore of the estuary and hike along the coast to the Pointe du Payré .  

Aerial view of the Payré estuary © Alexandre Lamoureux

5. Ile d’Yeu  

Rocky coves, historic lighthouses, and timeworn fishing villages dot the coast of the Ile d’Yeu, the smallest of the Vendée’s two islands. Reachable only by boat (year-round from Fromentine , April-September from St Gilles Croix de Vie , and July-August from the Ile de Noirmoutier ), the photo-worthy views start as soon as you set sail.   

Hire a bike to explore the island, which measures in at just 23 square kilometres, and hop off to stroll around the picturesque port and lively market of Saint-Sauveur, visit the Grand Phare lighthouse and the Vieux Château, and watch the dreamy sunset from the Pointe du But.

Yeu island off the coast of Vendée © Alexandre Lamoureux

6. Corniche Vendéenn e   

With the GR8 and Vélodyssée trails hugging the coast for the entire length of the department, there are no shortage of seaside views for hikers and cyclists in the Vendée. Among the most spectacular stretches is the Corniche Vendéenne, which winds along the sea cliffs between Saint Hilaire de Riez and Saint Gilles Croix de Vie .   

You can drive, hike, or cycle the coastal road, but whichever you choose, make sure you stop to see the famous “5 Pineaux” rocks. Along the clifftop walkways, look out for the rocky stairways that lead down into secluded sandy coves, perfect for escaping the summer crowds of Saint Gilles’ main beaches.   

Breathtaking views along the Vélodyssée cycling route © Aurélie Stapf

7. Estacade of Saint Jean de Monts  

If summer holidays by the seaside conjure up thoughts of strolling along a scenic pier, ice cream in hand, Saint Jean de Monts doesn’t disappoint. The resort’s 400-meter-long pier, L’Estacade , is the longest in the Vendée, and its wide boardwalk provides easy access to panoramic views along the Atlantic Coast.  

The most memorable moment to admire the views is at sunset, but you can also visit at high tide to watch the surfers and kitesurfers along the Plage des Demoiselles, enjoy fishing off the pier, or return after dark when the Estacade is dramatically illuminated.  

The impressive pier at St Jean de Monts © Alexandre Lamoureux

8. Mervent-Vouvant forest  

More than 5,000 hectares of holm oak woodlands, rambling forest trails, and gleaming lakes await in the vast Mervent-Vouvant forest , which covers much of the Vendée’s southeastern corner. Once you’ve enjoyed hiking, mountain biking, and horse riding along the vast network of trails, head to Lake Mervent to rent a boat, canoe, or stand-up paddleboard.  

Highlights of the forest include the old Pont du Déluge, tucked away in the trees; the hike to the Père de Montfort cave ; and the view across the lake to the 17 th -century Château de la Citardière.  

The Vendée River slicing through the Mervent forest © Ningaloo.gg / shutterstock

9. P lage de Sauveterre, Les Sables-d’Olonne  

There’s no shortage of sa ndy shores along the Vendée’s Atlantic Coast, but sailors, surfers, and water sports enthusiasts will find their nirvana in the maritime hub of Les Sables d’Olonne . North of the port city, the rugged dunes and wind-ravaged shores of the Plage de Sauveterre provide a wilder alternative to the family-friendly Grande Plage.  

This is where you’ll find some of Les Sables’ most renowned surf breaks—get there at sunrise for the most magical views and watch the pros in action. Be warned, though, the northern part of the beach is designated for naturists, so it might not be suitable for the whole family!   

Sufers’ paradise in Les Sables d’Olonne © Alexandre Lamoureux

10. Puy du Fou  

Natural wonders are what the Vendée does best, but the final spot on the list has to go to the region’s man-made marvel, the Puy du Fou . Fusing history, theatre, and entertainment to dramatic effect, this is a theme park like no other. It’s also the second most-visited theme park in France, with some 2.3 million annual visitors.  

Seven spectacular live shows bring history to life before your eyes, while the evening Cinéscénie is a show-stopping theatre experience performed by more than 2,500 actors, dancers, acrobats, and horse riders, along with fireworks, pyrotechnics, and a 23-hectare open-air stage .   

There are also sword-fighting musketeers, gravity-defying horseback stunts, Roman gladiator battles, and a life-size Viking longship… in short, prepare to be stunned.

The stunning shows of the Puy du Fou © Stéphane Audra

Lead photo credit : The Meule port on Ile d'Yeu © Thomas Pajot / shutterstock

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By zoë smith.

Zoë Smith is digital editor of FrenchEntrée and a travel writer for France Today. As a freelance journalist, she has also written for the Telegraph, HuffPost, and CNN, and is a guidebook updater for the Rough Guide to France and Rough Guide to Dordogne & Lot. She lives in the French countryside just outside of Nantes.

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🌟 Le Département de la Vendée vous accueille durant deux week-ends dans un décor unique pour vivre l'ambiance d'une foire au moment de la nativité. 🎉 Vivez un véritable voyage dans le temps au cœur d'une médina. 🌴 Déambulez dans une magnifique forêt de végétaux orientaux dans un paysage de tentes berbères. 😋 Enivrez-vous des effluves de savoureux produits locaux. 🎆 Rêvez à la tombée de la nuit devant l’abbaye mise en lumière et vivez le nouveau spectacle pyromusical qui clôturera votre soirée. 🌐 Plus d'informations sur evenements.vendee.fr #vendee #vendée #noël #maillezais #abbaye #abbayedemaillezais #marchédenoël #magique #magiedenoël

Une ballade ce matin du côté du canal de Courdault, il passe sur la route, c'est la première fois que je vois autant d'eau ici #jackrussell#maraispoitevin#automne#weekend#inondations#nature

Pause photo sous la pluie Sortir un peu prendre l'air, s'aérer la tête... #igers_landscape_europe #igersfrance #igersvendee #vendee #maraispoitevin #raw_landscape #raw_community #explore_paysdelaloire #pluie #rain #rainyday #automne #fall #novembre #november #inondations #reflets #reflections #shotonsamsung #samsungs20fe

2020 ► 2023 : Rendez-vous pour un point d'étape demain mercredi à 19h à la salle des OPS. 🚀Fontenay avance, Fontenay se transforme, Fontenay vibre, Fontenay vous accompagne ! Des réalisations finalisées aux projets structurants en cours en passant par l’accompagnement au quotidien des Fontenaisiens et des acteurs de la vie locale ; la Ville de Fontenay-le-Comte vous propose de faire un point sur les 3 années écoulées. 👉 Réunion publique 📅Mercredi 18 octobre – 19h 📌 Salle des OPS - 102 rue de la République #fontenaylecomte

#weekendvibes #naturephotography #naturelovers #break #tranquility #villagedefrance #vouvant #mervent #riviere #instagood #picoftheday

Arbres reflétés pour le challenge #theopenhub #theopenhubchallenge203 . . #maraispoitevin #maraissauvage #marais #maraispoitevintourisme #parcnaturelregional #grandsitedefrance #vendée #nature #veniseverte #igerspoitoucharente #francetourisme #france_regards #oh_my_france #igersfrance #naturephotography #naturelovers #naturephoto #naturegram #quelanature_estbelle #berges #jolismomentsdenature #bucolique #refletsdansleau

#theopenhubchallenge202 #theopenhub #champion #mushrooms #mushroom #mushroomsofinstagram #champi #foret #foretdemervent #wood #green #nature #naturephotography #naturelovers #mervent #vendee #igersvendee #france_regards #france

. . . #autumnlovers #autumnvibes #autumncolors #autumnvibes🍁 #autumnleaves #fallphotography #treescape #tree_brilliance #tree_captures #splendid_trees #mood_magic #the_gallery_of_magic #nature #naturelovers #maraispoitevin #veniseverte #folkscenery #breathe

Vendée Holiday Cottages

Family-Friendly Holiday Accommodation in Western France

• Call: 00 33 (0)2 51 28 43 98
• WhatsApp/Mobile: 00 33 (0)6 43 37 87 74
• Vendée Holiday Cottages
• Gîte de la Fleur de Pommier, St Paul en Gatine
• Gîte des Forges, Angles
• Gîtes Les Chaffauds, Sainte Cecile
• Lapwing House, Lairoux
• Villa La Launiere, Cheffois
• Le Cottage Bleu, Lairoux
• L'Ecurie Holiday Cottage, Lairoux
• Le Gîte Tranquille, La Jousseliniere
• Le Petit Michelais, St Michel en l'Herm
• Le Vieux Café, Lairoux
• Villa Les Pins du Phare, La Tranche sur Mer
• Gîte Les Poiriers, St Pierre du Chemin
• Villa Les Terrières, La Tranche sur Mer
• Maison Meli, St Hilaire des Loges
• Orchard View Gîte, Champ St Père
• Résidence des Papillons, St Aubin la Plaine
• The Cornflowers, Lairoux
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Tourist Attractions in the Vend é e and Surrounding Area

Click on any of the images or titles below to find out more information about each of the attractions listed below.

The Puy du Fou Theme Park

O'Fun Adventure Park

O'Gliss Water Park

La Rochelle

The Ile de R é

Steam Trains of the Vendee

The Venise Verte Canal Network

Colourful Markets

Abbeys of the Southern Vend é e

The Chateau at Talmont St Hilaire

La Tranche sur Mer

Parc Floral de Court d’Aron

Atlantic Wake Park

Wine Tasting in the Vend é e

The Mechanical Elephant in Nantes

Futuroscope Theme Park

The Aquarium at Port Bourgenay

Medieval Village of Vouvant

Vend é e Holiday Cottages Annette & Jason Khan 3 rue de la Motte 85400 LAIROUX France

Tel: 00 33 (0)2 51 28 43 98 Mobile: 00 33 (0)6 43 37 87 74 WhatsApp: 00 33 (0)6 43 37 87 74 Siret: 53011496600019 (Annette Khan Entrepreneur Individuelle : Maison Lairoux/Vendée Holiday Cottages)

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Westminster Dog Show 2024: Sage the Miniature Poodle wins Best in Show

There's a new top dog in New York.

"Sage," the Miniature Poodle, won the Best in Show honor at the 148th annual Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show on Tuesday, beating over 2,500 dogs of more than 200 different breeds for the ultimate prize. Sage, a three-year-old from Houston, Texas, was handled by Kaz Hosaka in the last show of his career. 

Sage is the first poodle to win Best in Show since 2020. The winner was selected by Best in Show judge Rosalind Kramer, out of High Point, North Carolina.

"Mercedes," the German Shepherd, a 4-year-old from Bethesda, Maryland, was named the Reserve Best in Show, the runner up of the greatest dog in America. 

Group winners from Westminster Dog Show 2024 

• Herding Group : Mercedes (German Shepherd) 
• Hound Group : Louis (Afghan Hound) 
• Non-Sporting Group : Sage (Miniature Poodle) 
• Sporting Group : Micah (Black Cocker Spaniel)
• Terrier Group : Frankie (Colored Bull Terrier)
• Toy Group : Comet (Shih Tzu) 
• Working Group : Monty (Giant Schnauzer)

Who won Westminster Dog Show Terrier Group?

Last but not least, the Terrier Group. 

“The terrier group is like the Kansas City Chiefs,” a Fox Sports broadcaster said, likening the group of dogs to the back-to-back Super Bowl champions . Why? Because the Terrier group has produced 47 Best in Show winners, the most out of the seven groups. 

"Frankie," the Colored Bull Terrier, was named the best in the terrier group and will move on to Best in Show. A terrier last won the top honor in 2019 with a Wire Fox Terrier. 

More coverage of Westminster: Which breeds have won Best in Show

Who won Westminster Dog Show Working Group?

"Monty," the Giant Schnauzer, is back on top of the Working Group. For the second year in a row, Monty was named the best in his group and will advance to Best in Show for another crack at the top title. 

Can Monty make history? A Giant Schnauzer has never won Best in Show. The Working Group has won Best In Show 15 times before, most recently in 2004 with a Newfoundland.

Crowd buzzes over Rafa, the Tibetan Mastiff named after tennis icon

It might be clay court season in the tennis world, but New York is buzzing over Rafa…  Rafa the Tibetan Mastiff, that is. 

Rafa the Tibetan Mastiff is named after none other than Spanish tennis legend Rafael Nadal , the 22-time Grand Slam winner. Tibetan Mastiffs are described as a “very stubborn” breed, which some would use to describe his namesake. Nadal has used that headstrong mentality to win four U.S. Open titles at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York, where the 148th Westminster Dog Show is being held for the second year in a row. 

Who won Westminster Dog Show Sporting Group?

"Micah," the Black Cocker Spaniel, is the winner of the Sporting Group and will advance to Best in Show. Autumn "Sonnet" the German Shorthaired Pinter finished in second place, followed by "Accelerate" the Chesapeake Bay Retriever and "Cutter" the Labrador retriever.

A Black Cocker Spaniel has won Best in Show two times in Westminster history when "My Own Brucie" won the honor back-to-back in 1940 and 1941.  

Martha Stewart: Westminster Dog Show superfan

Martha Stewart is quite the animal lover. 

Less than two weeks after giving the “Riders Up” call at the 150th Kentucky Derby in Louisville, the legendary businesswoman dropped by the 148th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show in New York. (Fun Fact: The Westminster Dog Show is the second longest continuously held sporting event behind only the Kentucky Derby.)

Back to Martha ... The mother to five canines said she loves coming to the dog show “to see the best of the best.” And she has past experience. In 2012, her late Chow Chow Genghis Khan won “Best in Breed” at the Westminster Dog Show that year.

“I try to make it an annual event because I really do love beautiful dogs… I see breeds I’ve never seen before,” she said. “My dogs are at home. I have two Chow Chows… and I have three (French Bulldogs). I  think I have a ‘Best in Show’ at home right now, Luna Moona, my newest Frenchie. She’s coming. Watch out.“

How to watch Westminster Dog Show 2024

The Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show concludes Tuesday night and will run from 7:30 p.m. ET until 11 p.m. The event will be broadcast live on Fox Sports 1.

Westminster Dog Show live stream

Streaming for the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show will be available on FS1 Live and the Fox Sports app. Streaming is also available on Fubo  (regional restrictions apply).

Westminster Dog Show schedule 

Prior to Best in Show judging, which will take place at the end of the event, the Sporting, Working and Terrier Groups will judged. 

Westminster Dog Show groups 

Dogs are divided into seven different groups: Sporting, Hound, Working, Terrier, Toy, Non-Sporting and Herding. 

How does the Westminster Dog Show work? 

Essentially, dog shows evaluate what is known as conformation, or a particular purebred dog’s adherence to its breed standard. There are 212 breeds of dog currently recognized by the American Kennel Club; those are divided into seven different groups: Sporting, Hound, Working, Terrier, Toy, Non-Sporting, Herding. 

Dogs first compete among their own breed to select a Best of Breed or Best of Variety champion. The judges select the winner that most closely adheres to its breed standard, which is written and maintained by the national breed club, and then later approved by the AKC.  

Once all the Best of Breed champions are crowned, those then compete against the other dog breeds in their respective groups. The group judge will then assess all the different Best of Breed champions to come up with four placements, with only the group winner advancing to Best in Show judging.  

All seven group winners advance, and the Best in Show judge will assess the group winners to come up with Reserve Best in Show — or the runner-up recognition — and Best in Show, the top prize. 

The 2024 Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show is taking place at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Queens, N.Y. 

Best of Show at Westminster in 2023 

At the 147 th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, “Buddy Holly” made history . A six-year-old Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen (PBGV), he became the first of his breed to ever win the coveted Best in Show recognition in Westminster.  

To get to Best in Show, “Buddy Holly” had to top 402 other dogs across 34 different breeds to win the Hound Group. Prior to his triumph, PBGVs had only one Hound Group win in Westminster, back in 2007. 

“Buddy Holly” is from Palm Springs, California, and is owned by Janice Hayes. The American Kennel Club recognized PBGVs in 1991. They are shaggy-coated rabbit hunters originating from Vendée, France, on the country’s western coast. 

Reserve Best in Show, or the runner-up award, at the 2023 Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show went to “Rummie” the Pekingese. 

Who won Westminster Dog Show Toy Group? 

A 3.5-year-old male Shih Tzu from Monclova, Ohio, named “Comet” topped the 24 other dogs entered in the Toy Group on Monday night.  

Shih Tzus were first recognized in 1969 and were bred in China, crossing ancient Chinese and Tibetan breeds. Shih Tzus in the show ring are known for having long, flowing coats and “Comet” was no exception with his gold, white and silver coat. 

Who won Westminster Dog Show Hound Group? 

A six-year-old Afghan Hound named “Louis,” hailing from Roseville, California, won the Hound Group Monday night, topping 34 other dogs in the process. 

One of the oldest dog breeds on record, going back to around 4,000 B.C., Afghan Hounds were first recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1926. They are known for their long, flowing coat, but they served as hunting dogs in harsh, mountainous climates. 

“Louis” wowed judges and fans with a silky, black coat, with a white tuft on his chest. 

Who won Westminster Dog Show Herding Group? 

Continuing a recent run of success for German Shepherds in Westminster — with wins in the Herding Group in 2016, 2017, 2022 and now 2024 — “Mercedes” advanced Monday night. 

A four-year-old female from Bethesda, Maryland, “Mercedes” beat out 32 other breeds in the group. 

German Shepherds are one of the most popular dogs in the U.S., ranking fourth in popularity in 2023, according to the American Kennel Club, which first recognized the breed in 1908. They were originally bred as sheep herding dogs in Germany. 

“Mercedes” is the cousin of “Rumor,” the German Shepherd who won Best in Show in 2017, also handled by Kent Boyle. 

Who won the Westminster Dog Show Non-Sporting Group? 

“Sage,” a three-year-old miniature poodle from Houston prevailed over the 20 other dogs in the Non-Sporting Group Monday night. 

Another well-known breed, ranking seventh in popularity according to the American Kennel Club, the miniature poodle was first recognized by the AKC in 1887. “Sage” is all black and sported a coiffed haircut complete with sculpted bracelets on her wrists. 

Poodles come in three sizes (standard, miniature or toy) and are the national dog of France. 

Westminster Dog Show agility 2024 results 

If there was ever a name that fit a dog, it was “Nimble.” The All-American dog became the first mixed-breed dog to win the agility championship the Annual Masters Agility Championship in Westminster.  

“Nimble” completed the obstacle course in 28.76 seconds, which was the third-fastest time in the 11-year history of the event and only the fifth time that a dog has completed the course in fewer than 30 seconds. The obstacle course includes various ramps, agility poles and jumps that each contestant must work through, with the fastest time winning. 

Cynthia Hornor of Ellicott City, Maryland is “Nimble’s” owner. And while it was “Nimble’s” first agility championship, this marked the second consecutive agility title for Hornor, whose border collie, “Truant,” won in 2023 with a time of 28.68 seconds.