What to do with children in Vendée?

Wondering how to keep the whole family entertained during your vacation in Vendée? We've found plenty of ideas for outings and activities to do with the kids.

Sports to get active, leisure areas to have fun, museums and castles to educate yourself, animal parks and natural spaces to live beautiful experiences... If you are a nature lover, between the beaches, the marshes and the hedged farmland... you will find your corner of paradise in Vendée. If you prefer more supervised, fun or educational activities, we also have good addresses for you. There really is something to satisfy all tastes and all ages. So, let's go... We'll take you on a tour of the most fun activities to discover Vendée with your family.

Photos of the article: © Vendée Guide unless otherwise stated

Visit the major tourist sites in Vendée

The Vendée region has a rich heritage, a turbulent history and wide open spaces. There are therefore many tourist sites to visit.

• Puy du Fou is a must-see. It is the most visited site in Vendée and one of the best leisure parks in the world. In the heart of a very pleasant natural environment, children can have fun in the many play and entertainment areas. The daytime and nighttime shows are simply magical. It's a unique experience to share with the family !
• If you like castles and the medieval era, we recommend the Château de Tiffauges. The shows and activities during the summer are fun and will appeal to children. The impressive collection of war machines is very interesting. It is the ideal place to better understand the Middle Ages.
• To immerse yourself in the country's history and learn about its traditions, visit the Vendée Miniature in Bretignolles-sur-Mer. You will enter a model reconstructing a Vendée village at the beginning of the 20th century...

Take a tour of the animal world

• The Zoo des Sables d'Olonne is home to nearly 500 animals from around fifty different species. From the Atlas lion to the maned wolf, you'll see some unique specimens. It offers activities and themed days. It's also an eco-zoo that works to preserve local species and is committed to the environment.
• The Mervent Zoo, near Fontenay-le-Comte, presents carnivores and herbivores, primates, birds and reptiles... The activities allow you to participate in feedings by putting yourself in the shoes of the keepers or discover the park according to specific themes.
• At Sealand in Noirmoutier, the world of the oceans opens up to you. From cold seas to tropical seas, you will see unusual specimens. Children will love the contact with the sea lions.

Having fun in amusement parks

In Vendée, there are leisure parks for all tastes.

• Looking for a real adventure ? The Château des Aventuriers is the place for you! It's located in Avrillé, between Longeville-sur-Mer and Talmont-Saint-Hilaire. Featuring fairytale-themed games and puzzles, an escape game in the gardener's haunted house, a police investigation in the Château de la Guignardière, a dinosaur park in the forest, a pirate treasure hunt, and Western-style inflatables, this castle will delight both young and old!

• What if you got lost in a maze? In Talmont-Saint-Hilaire, the Labyrinthe en Délire lets you share games with your family and solve puzzles in a huge cornfield. If you're on a bike, there's a route just for you. Inside, there's even an amazing football pitch !

Enjoy the beaches of the Côte de Lumière

Of course, you can simply lay your towel down on one of the beautiful beaches of the Côte de Lumière and let your children make pies by the water. But you can also try new fun and sporting activities : stand-up paddleboarding, sea kayaking, wakeboarding, kitesurfing, sand yachting… There are all sorts of original activities that will give your vacation a boost. Here are some of our favorite places:

• Some Vendée beaches are very long and exposed to the wind, you can rent sand yachts there to get your fill of thrills.

And why not take advantage of your vacation to learn to surf at the best spots in Vendée.

Fancy a walk by the ocean, but the kids aren't really keen? No worries! What if you offered them a fishing session on foot ? The little ones will collect shells, the older ones will participate in a real discovery of marine fauna, while having fun!

Family hiking in the natural spaces of Vendée

Vendée is crisscrossed by 2,500 km of trails. No doubt hikers will find something to wear out their shoes!

• The Vendée coastal paths offer you beautiful walks, between land and sea. Along the beaches and dunes, you will walk the shaded paths of the national forests of the Pays de Monts et d'Olonne, often with a sea view. There is also a GR8 long-distance hiking trail.
• Crossing the island of Yeu on foot, on the old customs path (GR80), or that of Noirmoutier, is also a very pleasant way to visit them.
• While the Marais Breton Vendéen can be explored along the water and canals, you can also enjoy some pleasant hikes there. Authentic villages will allow you to take breaks and understand the importance of the salt marshes, traditional lifestyles and Vendée culture.
• The Marais Poitevin is nicknamed the "Green Venice." A ride aboard a plate (a flat-bottomed boat) is one of the must-do activities in the region. But if you prefer dry land, the Marais Poitevin Regional Park is crisscrossed with small trails for a different way of discovering this rural and bucolic environment. Children will surely enjoy observing nature and surprising some animals.
• In the Haut-Bocage Vendéen, country paths await you, as well as a few climbs. Sports enthusiasts will have a blast. To reach it from the coast, you can take the GR364 at Jard-sur-Mer on the coast.

• In the Vendée countryside, discover Lake Jaunay, a pleasant green space for hiking, cycling, canoeing, fishing, or trying your hand at geocaching. Don't forget your cameras to immortalize the beautiful landscapes that change color with the seasons.

Cycle touring

The Vendée region is crisscrossed by nearly 1,800 km of cycle paths ! There's something for everyone. Whether you enjoy gentle family outings or are an experienced cyclist, you'll find what you're looking for.

• In the Marais Breton Vendéen or the Marais Poitevin, the terrain is flat and the setting is exotic. These are perfect places for children to learn cycling.
• For road cycling enthusiasts, the “Vélodyssée” represents 150 km of cycle routes in Vendée. From Bouin to La-Tranche-sur-Mer, you will follow the Vendée coastline and you can even go around the island of Yeu.
• In the Vendée countryside, you will cycle on greenways and cycle paths, through valleys and hills. The country roads are ideal for mountain biking and for more sporty families.

We hope we've given you some great ideas to help you make the most of your family stay in Vendée. We wish you lots of fun, educational discoveries, and unforgettable memories! And don't forget that there's still the beach and leisure centers in Vendée!

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