Trumpet Flower Georgia O Keefe

Famous for its golden beaches and tourist resorts, the department of Vendee is on the west coast of France. As well as the seaside towns, the area is also known for its natural beauty, including marshes and islands, and historical towns. There are lots of attractions for the family in the Vendee region, including a fun theme park where you can step back in time.

Beaches

There are a number of seaside towns on the Vendee coast, including St Jean-de-Monts and Les Sables d'Olonne. Both are home to many restaurants, bars and hotels as well as beautiful beaches that are very popular during the summer months and wilder during the winter! Les Sables d'Olonne is also well-known for its large marina and the round-the-world yacht race that departs from the town every summer. The 8 kilometre-long beach at St Jean de Monts is ideal for water sports like windsurfing and you should be able to find a quiet piece of sand even during the busiest months.

Islands

The Normoutier Island and the Yeu Island are located just off the Vendee coats and are both well worth a day trip to explore the natural scenery. The Normoutier Island is accessed by a tidal causeway from an area of marshes that are well-known for their plant and animal life. The island itself is known for the mimosa flowers that grow there, and the scenery ranges from beaches to woods to salt marshes in a small area. The 12th century port in the capital, Normoutier-en-I'lle, is full of tiny, cobbled streets and traditional houses that line the still-working harbour. Yeu Island is smaller and can be reached by boat from many of the Vendee resorts in the summer months. Dominated by a large medieval fortress, said to have inspired a Tintin book, the tiny island is very wild and unspoilt, while locals still live using traditional fishing methods.

Puy de Fou

Inland, near the town of Espesses, is the theme park of Puy de Fou. Open all year round, the park recreates villages, buildings and events from the medieval ages through to the 19th century. Live shows feature re-enactments of Romans, Vikings and, of course, the Three Musketeers. In the summer, the park closes at weekends with a spectacular and historically themed light and sound show. The show features over 1,000 actors, which bring the history of the Vendee to life and will entertain adults and children alike.

The Author writes for Holiday Home Rentals who have a selection of and which can be rented direct from their owners.