What to do in autumn in Vendée

Autumn is a very pleasant season to visit the Vendée. Are you wondering what you are going to do to take advantage of this balmy season? The Guide de la Vendée takes you on a stroll through the groves and forests of the Vendée, in the warm colors of autumn. We tell you where to take advantage of the last beautiful days of the off-season to take a good breath of sea air, in the seaside resorts and beaches of the Côte de Lumière. If the weather is not good, we reveal our best ideas for activities when it rains.

Photos of the article © Guide de la Vendée

Enjoy the beaches of the Côte de Lumière

In autumn, you have to be brave (or used to!) To try a swim in the sea, but there are also other activities to do on the beach. The simple fact of putting your towel on the sand warmed by the sun, appreciating the still mild temperatures, letting your children make sandcastles at the edge of the water, what happiness!

To choose this corner of paradise, we have concocted for you our top 10 of the beautiful beaches of the Côte de Lumière.

The beautiful beaches of Ile d'Yeu

Stroll through the seaside resorts and beautiful villages of the Vendée

The Côte de Lumière is dotted with seaside resorts. Each has its own atmosphere and character. Whether you prefer the family side of Saint-Jean-de-Monts, the authenticity of the fishing port of Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie, the natural environment of Bretignolles-sur-Mer or the animation of Les Sables- d'Olonne, you are spoiled for choice.

Read our article on the seaside resorts of the Vendée.

The beach of La Tranche sur Mer

Discover the traditional villages of the Vendée

To change the seaside resorts a bit, go inland in the Vendée… You will discover a more intimate climate. The villages of Marô are places of tradition. Visiting them is a good way to immerse yourself in Vendée culture. You will probably make authentic encounters with salt workers, passionate about their land.

In the historic heart of Vendée and the Hauts-Bocages of Vendée, the atmosphere is calm and cozy. You will appreciate the charming little local heritage, mysterious ruins and religious monuments, steeped in history and imbued with ancestral customs.

We have toured the most beautiful villages of the Vendée.

The salt marshes of the Ile d'Olonne

Visit the tourist sites of the Vendée

The Vendée has lived through a tormented history, as evidenced by its old stones and splendid medieval castles, as well as its manors and beautiful residences from all eras.

We offer you a journey through Vendée history, through its most beautiful castles.

The Vendée has large spaces and magnificent natural sites, which have allowed parks of all kinds to settle there. So there are many tourist sites. Among our favorites:  

• The Puy du Fou is a must. It can be visited all year round. Outside of the summer season, you have less waiting and more room to enjoy the entertainment and shows.
• The Vendée Miniature Bretignolle-sur-Mer offers an immersive tour in Vendée village in the early ^20th century.
• Le Daviaud to learn more about the Marais Breton Vendéen or the Maison du Maître des Digues, in the Marais Poitevin...

We offer you two articles: the main tourist sites of the Vendée, territory by territory and the largest tourist sites of the Vendée.

Do you want to discover an original and emblematic heritage of the Vendée coast? Visit the lighthouses of the Vendée.

The Château de Tiffauge © Departmental Council of Vendée

Play sports by the ocean

Do you prefer a more sporty activity? Water sports are practiced all year round. The advantage is that you will have the beach and the ocean to yourself… What a feeling of spaciousness on the long beaches of the Vendée. If it's cool, plan a wetsuit to warm up and go for a water sport session: stand up paddle, sea kayaking, wake-boarding, kitesurfing, sand yachting… and surfing of course! Here are some of our good addresses:  

• In Les Sables d'Olonne, the canoe base of Auzance rents you canoes and sea kayaks.
• Some Vendée beaches are very long and well exposed to the winds, this is a good opportunity to test sand yachting.
• To choose the right place to surf, we show you the best surf spots in the Vendée.

The Glassy House is a surf school in Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie. If the weather is really bad, you can learn or practice on a modular artificial wave!

Surfing in Vendée in autumn, here in Bretignolles-sur-Mer

Hiking in Vendée

The Vendée is a rather flat country which lends itself well to gentle hiking, whether on foot or by bicycle. You will find no less than 2,500 km of trails.

The paths of the Vendée coast offer you beautiful walks, between land and sea. In autumn, there are fewer people and you can enjoy these long beaches as far as the eye can see. The routes are very varied. They allow you to walk on the dunes, before entering the pine forests, or along the steep cliffs of the coast. The GR8 crosses the national forests of the Pays de Monts and Olonne, without ever being far from the ocean. More original, the GR80 goes around the island of Yeu on the old customs path.

Do you want to combine business with pleasure? And if you complement your walk by the ocean with a fishing session on foot. It is a family outing, original and you will have enough to prepare a tasty meal, typically Vendée. Read our article on shore fishing in the Vendée.

Hike to the Pointe d'Arçais

In the “ Green Venice ” of the Marais poitevin, you will combine walks on the water with bucolic and country walks. You will appreciate the calm of autumn. This is the right time to observe the changing nature and the fauna reclaiming the space, after the frenzy of the summer season.

The Breton Vendée Marshes are an unusual environment, a mixture of fresh and salt water, where the tides enter the tidal flats and feed the salt channels. The paths along the étiers (the canals so that the marshes communicate with the sea) will bring you into an exotic world ...

We surveyed the Vendée lands to find the best hikes in the Vendée.

Canals in Sallertaine

Cycling around the Vendée

The Vendée has a track record of 1,800 km of cycle lanes and famous roads cross it. Whether you like to cycle with your family or you are seasoned cyclists, you will find what you are looking for. Autumn lends itself well to this activity, because you will suffer less from the heat and there are still beautiful days.

Road bike enthusiasts will be able to take the 150 km Vendée of the " Vélodyssée ", Which runs along the coast between Bouin and La-Tranche-sur-Mer. On the island of Yeu, soft mobility is privileged. You can cycle around the island or move from port to port with ease. In the Vendée Haut-Bocage, sports enthusiasts will have a blast. Mountain bikers will have fun on the country lanes, while road cyclists will find some nice climbs.

Here is our article on cycling in the Vendée.

We hope that you have given you ideas to fully enjoy your autumn stay in Vendée and we wish you happy holidays.

Did you like our article? Find others on the Blog of the Guide de la Vendée! Find us also on p age of Facebook Vendée Guide and on our Instagram account @guidedelavendee