10 unmissable unusual experiences in Vendée

Are you looking for the best activities to do in Vendée? What are the most amazing and entertaining tours? You want to get off the beaten track and live extraordinary experiences. We take you to explore the most mysterious places of the Vendée and we reveal to you where are the pretty places to go for walks.

Photos of the article © Guide de la Vendée unless otherwise stated

2) Discover the joys of skiing at the Atlantic wake Park in Aiguillon

The Atlantic Wake Park in Aiguillon-sur-Mer offers you all kinds of new leisure activities. Some are very original! The Wing is a sail on surf. Wakeboarding consists of being towed by a boat on a surfboard. Wakeskating is a slightly more acrobatic sport, although you are still towed by a boat. Of course, you will also find more classic activities there, such as pedal boating or water skiing. If you want to fill up on sensations, try the water ski lift! A relaxation area has also been set up, the “Chill” corner, to recover from all these emotions.

3) Take the Passage du Gois

The passage of Gois is a submersible path of about 4 kilometers. It is the only access on foot to reach the island of Noirmoutier. But at high tide, it is under water and that is what gives it its charm. It only reveals itself at low tide... If you observe it at the right time, you will see this strip of sand gradually appear under the waves... A magical moment!

So as not to miss it and take this ephemeral route, check the tide times beforehand. And so as not to be surprised by the rising sea, 9 beacons indicate the water level. It is also a shore fishing spot for clams. You can even find some wild oysters there.

4) Go fishing on foot and eat your finds

Shore fishing is a Vendée tradition. It consists in recovering shells, in the rocks or buried in the sand. On the other hand, this activity cannot be improvised. You will need to know the tide times, because it is practiced at low tide. And do not neglect to consult the regulations in force, not only on the practices, but also on the chosen site. Once well informed, you will spend very nice moments with your family. The youngest love to collect shells and you will be delighted to be able to eat fresh seafood! Winkles, oysters, shrimp, sea urchins, mussels and clams will be on the menu. Good fishing and to your stoves!

Everything you need to know about shore fishing in the Vendée.

5) Treat yourself to an unusual night in Vendée

If you want to live a real experience, an immersion in a surprising atmosphere, a place off the beaten track, or a trip through the cultures of the world without leaving France, why not try a night in unusual accommodation? We offer rentals that are out of the ordinary for an exotic stay:

• Caravan on the south side: This is a good opportunity to test nomadic and often small accommodation, to imagine yourself on the road one day...
• Les Roulottes de Saint-Sulpice: The trailers are installed in the middle of nature, with a garden area, to relax in peace.
• The Château de la Flocellière: You can take yourself for a castellan during the holidays and discover the 900 years of history of this sumptuous residence.
• Bocage Yurts: Yurts imported from Mongolia for a total change of scenery.
• The vintage trailer: Living the American dream of the 50s, in the heart of the Vendée, is now possible thanks to these caravans “ to go back in time ”.

Consult our directory to find your unusual rental in Vendée.

Photo © Kalen Emsley | Unsplash

6) Riding an all-terrain electric scooter

Originally, electric scooters were designed to move around town, ecologically and effortlessly. But some have gone further in the concept and have imagined all-terrain electric scooters, so that they can be enjoyed even on country roads and forest trails. We have selected a few service providers to rent them and why not have you accompanied to discover the Vendée differently:

• Libert-e-trott (fr) offers free or accompanied walks. Rental can be done directly online or in their store in Les Sables-d'Olonne.
• Vendée Trotti (fr) makes you visit the surroundings of Talmont-Saint-Hilaire, from Bourgenay.
• Trott et Nature (fr) guides you on routes through the Haut Bocage Vendéen.

Stroll on the cycle paths and the greenways of the Vendée.

Photo © Varla Scooter | Unsplash

7) Do an Escape game in nature or in a magical place

The escape game is a family activity that you can also practice with friends or why not with work colleagues. This is a puzzle game. You must find clues as a team to successfully escape from a place or situation. A fun game, which will also work your brains! There are many escape games in Vendée, but choosing one in an unusual setting or in the middle of nature is even more fun:

• Nature escape on the Moulin à Elise site: A life-size escape game in 5 hectares in Poiré-sur-Vie, in treasure hunt mode!
• Discovery mission in Les Sables-d'Olonne: An urban version, which will make you discover Les Sables-d'Olonne in a new light.
• The Château de Talmont escape game: A medieval theme in the magnificent Château de Talmont.
• " Escape game aperitif " at the Château des Tourelles: An original and very fun treasure hunt on the way to the deliverance of the aperitif cooler...
• The “cart and the forgotten treasure” escape game at the Logis de la Chabotterie: You will go back  in time to the 18th century to find a hidden treasure in the stables of the house.

8) Go get lost in a corn maze

The Corn Maze is really a very fun activity, ideal for families. Some have puzzles to solve, others workshops to complete. In any case, it's an opportunity to have the children walk and share good times. The difficulties are very variable and young and old alike can take up the challenge!

• Labyrinthe en Délire in Talmont-Saint-Hilaire: This park is ideal for families with children. There are two giant labyrinths, with puzzles, play areas and even picnic areas.
• Labyrinth Vendée Vallée in Vendrennes: You will have to solve puzzles to succeed in getting out!
• Pop Corn Labyrinthe and its 2 sites, in Saint-Hilaire-de-Riez and Les Sables-d'Olonne: Two large leisure parks. You will also find wooden games.
• Labyrint'île in Barbâtre on the Ile d'Yeu: The theme changes every year, always for more surprises. Inflatable play structures are installed on the site in July and August.

Photo © Jesse Gardner | Unsplash

9) Visit salt marshes and learn all about table salt

The Marais Breton Vendéen once marked the boundary between Poitou and Brittany . It is an unusual natural environment, of great wealth in terms of biodiversity, and an area developed for the exploitation of salt. The salt marshes that make it up are criss-crossed by very pleasant paths for walking. Farms are open to the public and allow you to better understand the profession of salt worker. A museum retraces the daily life of the inhabitants of the marshes and explains this very old traditional way of life.

• La Bourrine à Rosalie in Sallertaine: An old house in the heart of the salt marshes, rehabilitated with objects from yesteryear that belonged to 20th century market gardeners.
• La Route du Sel: A long road starting from Sallertaine Island, which takes you from farm to farm...
• Where to taste salt? On the island of Noirmoutier of course! To discover the white gold of Noirmoutier… It is reputed to be one of the best salts in the Vendée.

10) Take a boat trip in the Green Venice of Mais Poitevin

The Marais Poitevin is a natural site made up of green meadows criss-crossed by canals, and made up of dry marshes and wet marshes known as "Green Venice". Its vegetation is very dense, forming a canopy over the waterways. Quiet, wild and beautiful, the Marais Poitevin is a must-see in the Vendée for nature lovers. Stroll along the paths all year round, and take advantage of the summer to enjoy a unique experience along the water on a traditional boat, either on your own or on a guided tour. There are around twenty landing stages between the Vendée and the Deux-Sèvres, offering a refreshing escape in the heart of the Marais Poitevin. Maillezais, Damvix, Maillé and Saint-Sigismond are just some of the villages where you can embark, but our favourite spot is Le Mazeau, at the Embarcadère de la Venise Verte. This highly romantic spot is also popular with couples looking for tranquillity in a wooded setting. Whether you're with family, friends or lovers, let yourself be charmed by the beauty of the Marais Poitevin and its peaceful atmosphere, and enjoy a change of scenery for the day.

As a bonus :  Geocaching and other augmented reality experiences

If you are wondering what Geocaching is, we will explain everything to you! It's an outdoor course, where you have to search for objects, thanks to a series of clues. To orient yourself, you use the GPS of your smartphone to geolocate yourself. When you finally find the "treasure" box, be sure to identify yourself on the "logbook", made available. The principle of the game is that if you find something, you have to leave an object of equal or greater value for the next ones.

Terra Aventura is a website that references interesting sites in terms of heritage and allows you to discover them in a fun way, thanks to a treasure hunt. QR codes are hidden in nature. The quest is staged, with a scenario and characters. It's a fun activity that will amuse young and old alike.

Treasure hunt in Longeville-sur-mer.

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