What to do with children in Vendée?

Are you wondering how to please the whole family during your holidays in Vendée? We have found lots of ideas for outings and activities to do with children.

Sport to burn off, leisure areas to have fun, museums and castles to cultivate oneself, animal parks and natural spaces to live beautiful experiences... If you are nature lovers, between the beaches, marshes and groves… you will find your corner of paradise in Vendée. If you prefer more supervised, fun or educational activities, we also have good addresses for you. There is really something to suit all tastes and all ages. So, let's go… We take you on a tour of the coolest activities to discover Vendée with your family.

Photos of the article: © Guide de la Vendée unless otherwise stated

Visit the major tourist sites of the Vendée

The Vendée has a rich heritage, an eventful history and wide open spaces. There are therefore many tourist sites to visit.

The Puy du Fou is a must. It is the most visited site in the Vendée and one of the best leisure parks in the world. In the heart of a very pleasant natural environment, children can have fun in the many play and entertainment areas. The daytime or nighttime shows are simply magical. It's a unique experience to share with the family!

If you like castles and medieval times, we recommend the Château de Tiffauges. The shows and activities during the summer are fun and will appeal to children. The impressive collection of war machines is very interesting. It is the ideal place to better understand the Middle Ages.

To immerse yourself in the country's history and learn about its traditions, head to the Vendée Miniature in Bretignolles-sur-Mer. You enter a mock reconstituting a Vendée village in the early 20th century...

Do you want more? Consult our article on "The great tourist sites of Vendée".

The Vendée Miniature, a must in Bretignolles-sur-Mer! © Vendée Miniature

Take a tour of the animal world

The Sables d'Olonne Zoo brings together nearly 500 animals from around fifty different species. From the lion of the Atlas to the maned wolf, you will see original specimens there. It offers entertainment and thematic days. It is also an eco-zoo which works for the preservation of local species and is committed to the environment.

The Mervent Zoo, near Fontenay-le-Compte, presents carnivores and herbivores, primates, birds and reptiles... The animations allow you to participate in the feedings, to put yourself in the shoes of the healers, or discover the park according to specific themes.

At Sealand de Noirmoutier, the world of the oceans opens up to you. From cold seas to tropical seas, you will contemplate unusual specimens. Children will love the contact with sea lions.

After the visits, take the opportunity to go for a swim at Sables d'Olonne beach

Have fun in the leisure parks

In Vendée, there are leisure parks for all tastes. Do you want to live a real adventure? The Château des Aventuriers is made for you! It is located in Avrillé, between Longeville-sur-Mer and Talmont-Saint-Hilaire. Games and puzzles on the theme of fairy tales, escape game in the haunted house of the gardener, police investigation in the castle of La Guignardière, dinosaur park in the forest, pirate treasure hunt, inflatable structures in western mode... young and old alike!

Do you want to enjoy water fun, without the sand, salt and wind...? Atlantic Toboggan is a water park with slides in Saint-Hilaire-de-Riez in the Vendée, the perfect place for a day of fun with the kids (the grown-ups can have fun or sunbathe in the relaxation areas). The best part? The water is heated! No excuse not to go sliding down one of the 8 slide tracks, the wave pool, the river with buoys... A great day out.

What if you get lost in a labyrinth... In Talmont-Saint-Hilaire, the Labyrinthe en Délire allows you to share family games and solve puzzles, in a huge cornfield. If you are on a bicycle, a route is reserved for you. Inside, there is even an amazing golfoot!

Find practical information on the sheets of our service providers, in the “Vendée theme parks” section .

You can also visit one of the many mills in the Vendée, to learn more about the history and operation of these ancient wind turbines!

Enjoy the beaches of the Côte de Lumière

Of course, you can just lay your towel on one of the beautiful beaches of the Côte de Lumière and let your children make pies by the water. But you can also introduce yourself to new fun and sporting activities: Stand Up Paddle, sea kayaking, wake-boarding, kitesurfing, sand yachting... There are all kinds of original activities, which will give a boost to your holidays. Here are some of our good addresses:

The Glassy House is a surf school in Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie. What sets it apart is the possibility of training on a modular artificial wave!

In Les Sables d'Olonne, at the Base Canoë de l'Auzance, take a sea kayak trip.
Some Vendée beaches are very long and exposed to the winds, you can rent sand yachts there to fill up with sensations.

And why not take advantage of your vacation to learn how to surf.

We reveal to you the best surf spots in the Vendée.

Vogue small boat on the beach of Barre-de-Monts!

You fancy a stroll by the ocean, but the kids don't really get excited. No problem! What if you offered them a fishing session on foot? The little ones will collect shells, the older ones will take part in a real discovery of maritime fauna, while having fun!

Find out more: Read our article “To find out all about shore fishing in the Vendée”.

Hiking with the family in the natural areas of the Vendée

The Vendée is crisscrossed by 2,500 km of trails. There is no doubt that hikers will find something to wear out their shoes!

The Vendée coastal paths offer you beautiful walks, between land and sea. Along the beaches and dunes, you will walk the shaded paths of the national forests of the Pays de Monts and Olonne, often with a view of the sea. A GR8 Grande Randonnée path.

Crossing the island of Yeu on foot, on the old customs path (GR80), or that of Noirmoutier, is also a very pleasant way to visit them.

If the Marais Breton Vendéen is discovered along the water and canals, you will also make pleasant hikes there. Authentic villages will allow you to take breaks and understand the importance of the salt marshes, traditional lifestyles and Vendée culture.

The Marais Poitevin is nicknamed the “Green Venice”. A ride aboard a flatbed (a flat-bottomed boat) is one of the unmissable activities in the region. But if you prefer dry land, the Marais Poitevin Regional Park is crisscrossed with small paths to discover this rural and bucolic environment in a different way. Children will surely enjoy observing nature and surprising some animals.

In the Vendée Haut-Bocage, country lanes await you, but also a few climbs. Athletes will have a blast. To reach it from the coast, you can take the GR364 at Jard-sur-Mer on the coast.

Find out more: We provide you with practical information and links in our article on “Hiking in the Vendée”.

In the Vendée countryside, discover Lac de Jaunay, a lush green area ideal for hiking, cycling, canoeing, fishing or geocaching. Don't forget your cameras to capture the beautiful landscapes, which change color with the seasons.

Once you've discovered it, you'll want to stay at Lac de Jaunay. So pack your bags and book your stay at the 5* Camping Village de la Guyonnière. Spacious and welcoming, it's on the edge of the lake and close to the beaches of the Vendée, ideal for combining sunbathing and activity. The comfortable accommodation, some of which is unusual, allows you to get away from it all in a green setting, as do the pitches suitable for tents, motorhomes, caravans and converted vans. A water park, wellness area, entertainment, activities and restaurants round off the top-of-the-range facilities on offer at the 5-star Camping Village de la Guyonnière, on the shores of Lac de Jaunay.

By bike or on foot, the Vendée can be discovered in sporting mode for the whole family

Cycling

The Vendée is crossed by nearly 1,800 km of cycle paths! So there is something for all levels. Whether you like gentle walks with the family or you are seasoned cyclists, you will find what you are looking for.

In the Marais Breton Vendéen or the Marais Poitevin, the terrain is flat and the setting is exotic. They are the perfect places for children to learn about cycling.

For road bike enthusiasts, the "Vélodyssée" Represents 150 km of cycle routes in Vendée. From Bouin to La-Tranche-sur-Mer, you will follow the Vendée coast and you can even go around the island of Yeu.

In the Vendée bocages, you will cycle on greenways and cycle paths, through valleys and hills. The country lanes lend themselves well to mountain biking and more sporty families.

Find out more: Here is our article on “Cycling in the Vendée”.

We hope to have given you some good ideas to fully enjoy your stay in Vendée with your family. We wish you good times of laughs, instructive discoveries and lasting memories! And don't forget that there is still the beach and the leisure centers of the Vendée!