Vendée

Just south of Nantes and the Loire Valley, the Vendée remains a popular family holiday destination. The coastline is famous for its long stretches of clean sandy beaches, picturesque fishing ports and beautiful coastal towns. There are a range of activities like body boarding, surfing and sailing, and at popular seaside resorts such as Les Sables d’Olonne and St Jean-de-Monts there are many bars, restaurants and shops. There are a number of local markets in the nearby towns. Visit the beautiful island of Noirmoutier in the north, with its rocky cliffs, sandy coves and marshland, or take the ferry from St Gilles-Croix-de-Vie to the Ile d’Yeu to explore the walking and cycling trails.