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Vendee – Sunshine within easy reach

The Vendee cannot be bettered for a family beach holiday. Within comfortable driving distance of Channel ports, the region allegedly boasts a sunshine record equal to the Riviera and has long, gently shelving beaches, fishing ports and small resorts dotted along the coastline which become lively in high season. Inland, small towns and villages nestle in a patchwork landscape - the Vendee 'bocage' - offering tranquillity yet also easy access to the coast.

THE TOP PLACES TO VISIT

Lively seaside resorts, pretty fishing villages and historic villages surrounded by vineyards, there's so much to see and do in Vendee. Here's just some of the best places to visit.

Le Puy du Fou

With over 1.5 million visitors a year, Le Puy du Fou is the 4th most popular attraction in France. It is a fantastic attraction for all ages, and more than a theme park in the traditional sense. The main show takes place in the evening on a huge outdoor stage and tells the history of the area in the form of a memorable sound and light show.

Noirmoutier

Noirmoutier is a delightful low-lying island just off the Vendee coast. Accessed by either an ancient tidal causeway or modern bridge this small isle has a real Mediterranean feel with its whitewashed houses with contrasting terracotta tiles and blue shutters surrounded by pine forests.

Marais Poitevin

Known as the 'Green Venice' the Marais Poitevin is a tranquil wetland made up of natural watercourses, man-made canals as well as meadows, dykes and fens. The best way to discover this wildlife haven is by boat and these can be hired from several local centres.

GREAT OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES

Wide sandy beaches with great surf, mile after mile of cycle tracks and delightful forest walks, there's so much to see and do in Vendee.

There are endless opportunities for water-based activities including surfing, windsurfing, dinghy and catamaran sailing. Vendee's wide, flat expanses of sand, often stretching several miles, provide perfect conditions for sand-yachting and speed-sailing at low tide. For beginners, several schools are on hand to provide instruction in the basic techniques of most activities.

Vendee boasts over 1000km of cycle tracks across the region, especially along the coast, where a cycle track runs virtually the entire length of the seashore. Inland, the mainly flat landscape, quiet country lanes and sleepy villages make it ideal for exploring by bike for all levels of abilities.

With few hills (apart from in the north-east of the region) walking in Vendee poses few challenges and is therefore suitable for walkers of all levels. Guides are available to waymarked routes both on the coast and inland.

TOUR DE FRANCE 2018 - VENDEE GRAND DEPART

The 2018 Tour will start in Vendee on 30th June and spend the first three days in the area. The first stage will begin on Ile de Noirmoutier and cross the bone-shaking Passage du Gois, a tidal causeway linking the island with the mainland and finishing in Sables d'Olonne.

TRAVEL GUIDE

Ferries

One of the reasons for the popularity of Vendee to the British is the relatively short driving distance to sunshine. For many in the south of England, Vendee can be reached in a day, albeit a long one. The much-improved roads across the north of France offer a short sea crossing from Dover with a 6 to 7-hour drive. Alternatively, a longer (and less frequent) crossing to Normandy or St Malo means a shorter drive of between 3 and 4 ½ hours once in France.

Flights

Nantes is the nearest airport (one hours' drive from St Jean de Monts) with Saturday flights (London Gatwick only). La Rochelle airport (1 hour 20 minutes from Les Sable d'Olonne) has good range of Saturday flights from UK regional airports including Bristol, Birmingham, Manchester, Southampton and Leeds as well as London Gatwick.