A summer in Vendée: the best ideas to make the most of it!

Bordered by the Atlantic Ocean, the Vendée is a superb summer destination for having fun on the beach or staying cool in the countryside. Whether you're looking for a sporty holiday or just relaxing, you'll find what you're looking for among the many activities on offer in this beautiful region with its varied landscapes. Pack your bags and don't forget your swimsuit; the Vendée guide will be with you all summer long!

Atlantic Wave Park

Practice a water activity to cool off

Vendée is often synonymous with aquatic fun, and rightly so, thanks to its privileged coastal location, as well as the presence of marshes, lakes, and ponds that allow you to get into the water all summer long. Whether you're looking for an adrenaline rush or a relaxing experience, there's something for everyone, including:

• Jet skiing in the open sea or on a pond to take on the waves or glide at full speed between the buoys.
• The canoe for paddling on salt water, in the heart of marshes or on the calm water of ponds.
• Paddleboarding can be practiced alone or with others on a large board.
• Sailing, a sport of strength and balance to move forward with the wind.
• Surfing, particularly in La Tranche-sur-Mer, labeled a “surf town” in Vendée.

Whether at sea or inland, you'll always have a place to get into the water in summer.

Ombak Surfcoaching

Water fun

Swimming all day in high season

Swimsuits are essential in Vendée for diving headfirst into the waves ! With its 140 km of fine sandy beaches and 18 seaside resorts, it's a delight for locals and vacationers alike, eager to take a dip. There are several options available to you, depending on your preferences:

• At the beach if you like to alternate between sunbathing and swimming
• On a leisure base to avoid salt water and enjoy shaded areas
• In a water park to slide down slides, swim in a wild river or let yourself be carried along a river with buoys

Don't forget your sunscreen to avoid turning red in the summer sun.

O'Fun Park

The Great Challenge

Explore the markets of Vendée

This is the perfect season to stroll through the aisles and meet the producers. Poultry, préfou, salt, Noirmoutier bonnotte, oysters, mussels, wine, or even Vendée gâche for breakfast, you'll have something to satisfy your taste buds at any time of day. Grab your basket to stock up on fresh produce ! You can even take the opportunity to create a delicious picnic to enjoy on the beach, or take a coffee break on a shaded terrace.

Visit an island in the Vendée

Set sail to discover two local gems : the island of Yeu and the island of Noirmoutier.

The first, accessible only by boat (remember to book your ticket, places are quickly taken in summer) offers a beautiful mosaic of landscapes between its port, its beaches, its cliffs and pretty wild coves bordered by greenery. You can practice many activities there such as surfing, sea kayaking, sailing or scuba diving, but also tour the island by bike for a distance of 28km.

The second is reached by the Noirmoutier bridge or by the Gois passage, a 4.2 km submersible causeway known for being a superb fishing spot which can only be used at low tide. The island of Noirmoutier is magnificent for walking in the marshes, taking a swimming break on the large beaches or isolated coves, walking in the cool of the forest or cycling on the mostly flat cycle paths.

The island of Yeu

The island of Noirmoutier

Explore the Vendée by bike in summer

Cycling tourism is another way to discover the region, pedaling at your own pace on the 1,800 km of marked cycle paths. By the sea or inland, you will enjoy crossing the marshes, visiting the charming villages or reaching the beaches using your calves. Perfect for cycling holidays, the Vendée is full of establishments labeled "bike-friendly" with all the necessary equipment for your two-wheeler. Fancy a great getaway lasting several days in the saddle? Take the Vélodyssée which runs along the Atlantic coast from Roscoff to Hendaye for 1,200 km (including 200 km in the Vendée).

Spend a day at Puy du Fou

Did you know that Puy du Fou has been named the World's Best Amusement Park ? Take advantage of your summer in Vendée to discover this exceptional site that immerses you in more than 2,000 years of French history and legends! Between visits to villages from different eras, the magical, realistic shows, and the Cinescénie, the fabulous night show, you'll have stars in your eyes after an unforgettable day at Puy du Fou.

Puy du Fou

Participate in summer events in Vendée

High season is the perfect time to have fun! Every year, festivities liven up the region, to the delight of vacationers who can sing, laugh, and dance all evening long. By the sea or inland, no corner is forgotten, as even small villages organize events like Martinet with the Biga, or the festive evening in Nieul-le-Dolent. Note, however, some unmissable festivals in Vendée:

• The Poupet Festival between June and July
• The Sables Festival at the end of June
• The Summer Wave along the entire Vendée coast all summer long

And many others, not forgetting the guinguettes which regularly organize small concerts.

Gain height on the Vendée coast

Experience unique sensations of freedom during an outdoor baptism. If the Vendée is a beautiful region, it is even more dazzling seen from above, offering sublime postcard landscapes. Luçon, Fontenay-le-Comte, La Roche-sur-Yon or even Les Sables-d'Olonne, there are many destinations where you can fly accompanied by passionate professionals. Microlight, hot air balloon, helicopter, seaplane, opt for a relaxing or sporty flight and fill up on sensations.

Enjoy a seafood platter with your feet in the sand

In Vendée, summer rhymes with moules-frites, plates of oysters, or a delicious seafood platter accompanied by a glass of chilled white Fief Vendéen. And there's no shortage of places to feast on the bounty of the sea, from oyster shacks to beachside restaurants and small pedestrian ports. Whether marinated in marinière sauce, with cream, curry, or Roquefort, mussels are a delight, while oysters in vinegar or drizzled with lemon reveal sublime iodized flavors.

Happy summer holidays in Vendée !

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The Sion Fishponds

Guyau Oysters