7 days in Vendée: Visit the Vendée Coast in 1 week

Wondering what to visit on the Vendée coast? How to occupy a family stay of one week in Vendée? What are the must- see maritime heritage sites? Where to walk on the Côte de Lumière? We have concocted a varied program for you to discover the Vendée coast in 7 days.

Opening photo: The Pleasures of the Vendée Coast - Photo credit © AdobeStock / Thierry RYO

Day 1 - A day at a seaside resort

The Vendée coast has 250 kilometers of coastline, dotted with seaside resorts. They offer many services and a multitude of tourist, sports and leisure activities. In the surroundings, you will find all kinds of amusement parks, tree climbing, aquatic or even animal parks. In the evening, the coastal towns are very lively, with their bars and restaurants by the ocean, fairgrounds and Ferris wheels, not to mention the parties and dance evenings, to have fun until the end of the night! In short, it is impossible to get bored there and there is something for all tastes and all ages. In Vendée, Saint-Jean-de-Monts is the most family-friendly, with its 6 supervised beaches.

Day 2 - A day at the beach

At the edge of the ocean, the most popular sites are the beaches! On the program: swimming and games on the beach; canoe, kayak or pedalo; surfing, windsurfing, paddle; water skiing, towed buoys, wake-surfing... Whether you like wild and natural beaches or more urban and secure beaches, close to seaside resorts, you will find what you are looking for on the Côte de Lumière. Whether you prefer fine sandy beaches along the dunes or those of pebbles, bordered by steep cliffs, there is something for everyone! The most typical is probably the Grande Côte beach in La Fromentine, with its bunkers and its beautiful view of the island of Noirmoutier.

Day 3 - Discovery of the island of Yeu by bike

On the Ile d'Yeu, soft mobility is favored to preserve its exceptional natural environment. The GR80 is a well-maintained trail suitable for bicycles. It circles the island for nearly 30 kilometers. You will appreciate the exceptional panoramas on its rocky landscapes, the immensity of the ocean and the pine forests. The local heritage is very interesting, especially its castle, the Lighthouse of Ravens or its fishing ports.

Day 4 - A walk along the Corniche Vendée

The Corniche Vendéenne is a long walk that borders the ocean. The GR8 runs along the entire Vendée coast. We recommend the section between Saint-Hilaire-de-Riez to Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie. You walk along the old “Sentier des Douaniers”, adjoining 6 beautiful beaches. Behind the sand dunes, you can turn off towards the Marais Salant de la Vie, to extend your walk. Once, in Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie, the restaurants of the Port de la Vie offer a very maritime cuisine.

Day 5 - A hike in the Pays de Monts national forest

The National Forest of the Pays de Monts is criss-crossed with paths. The walks are very pleasant there because they are shaded by the forest cover and you will enjoy the sea air. There are several routes accessible on foot or by bike. They are easy to access, without difficulty or elevation, and the trails are well maintained. They are therefore ideal routes for families.

Day 6 - Admire the lighthouses of the Vendée, an unusual maritime heritage

They have risen to technical challenges and have been lighting up the coasts for centuries. They are an integral part of the maritime heritage. We are of course talking about the headlights! The Vendée has many lighthouses, but few are accessible to the public. The Grand Phare de l'Ile d'Yeu is the only Vendée lighthouse that can be visited. It offers you an exceptional panorama of the island and the Vendée coast.

Day 7 - A day in the Marais Breton Vendéen

The Marais Breton Vendéen covers 45,000 hectares on the northern coast of the Vendée, astride the Loire-Atlantique. Originally, it was a huge foreshore, i.e. a stretch of sand or rock covered by the tide. This natural area was developed by the monks in the Middle Ages and is part of the local history. Did you know that between the 15th and 18th centuries, the Marais Breton Vendéen was the most important salt producer in France. This is an opportunity to discover an ancestral know-how, which still exists today! Moreover, this ancient profession works in symbiosis with nature and causes little disturbance to this unusual ecosystem. You will be able to make beautiful ornithological observations.

We hope this 7-day programme of visits has inspired you for your next holiday in the Vendee.

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