The Vendee and Charentes is a beautiful part of France about the same size as Cornwall. The Vendee offers endless miles of golden beaches along with the Atlantic waves providing a haven for water sports enthusiasts. The region is reachable within 2-5 hours of various ferry Ports making it a easy day's Journey from Britain or Ireland. Fly-drive is also a easy option into the Vendee airport of La Rochelle through airline carriers Flybe & Ryanair.
The Vendee and Charentes has many grand old cities, some with Roman remains, Chateaux's, and many areas maintaining their medieval characteristics. There are numerous 5 star campsites in the Vendee stretching the coast and across the beautiful countryside with the climate being ideal for family holidays.
The Vendee has many popular campsites along it's golden coast that are full of family activities. Take Le Clarys Plage campsite for instance, this fabulous holiday destination has a superb pool complex with heated swimming pools, waterslides, water fountains a whirl pool and best of all it’s location is only 300 meteres from a fabulous sandy beach. Read Le Clarys Plage reviews here.
Les Ecureuils campsite is an ideal setting for families with youngsters. With fun play areas, plenty of baby changing facilities, organised toddler clubs and a special toddler pool, this friendly campsite attracts many families throughout the summer season. See how other families review Les Ecureuils.
La Garangeoire campsite is a holiday destination that not only entertains children but adults too! It’s not surprising that Le Garangeoire is rated the most popular campsite in the Vendee from reviews at myfamilyholidays.com, as it’s location is in lush forest surroundings in the ground of a magnificent Chateau.
Picturesque lakes surround the grounds allowing activities such as canoeing, pedalos, diving lessons and fresh water fishing. The park also holds sports actvitities from volleyball and tennis to mountain biking and archery. Eurocamp in particular run an astonishing 6 childrens clubs on this site from soccer schools to fun stations for little one’s. Family feedback recommends this park for all age groups, view independent reviews of Le Garangeoire.
Below is a list of Vendee campsites and Charentes campsites chosen from family holiday campsite reviews .
The temperature in the Vendee is on average, fairly warm to hot with minimal rainfall, making it a great location for campsite holidays in France.
Celsius | Vendee | London |
---|---|---|
Jan | 5 | 4 |
Feb | 6 | 5 |
Mar | 8 | 7 |
Apr | 10 | 10 |
May | 14 | 13 |
Jun | 17 | 16 |
Jul | 19 | 18 |
Aug | 19 | 17 |
Sep | 16 | 15 |
Oct | 13 | 11 |
Nov | 9 | 8 |
Dec | 5 | 6 |
Fahrenheit | Vendee | London |
---|---|---|
Jan | 41 | 39 |
Feb | 43 | 40 |
Mar | 46 | 44 |
Apr | 50 | 49 |
May | 57 | 55 |
Jun | 63 | 61 |
Jul | 64 | 64 |
Aug | 66 | 63 |
Sep | 61 | 59 |
Oct | 55 | 52 |
Nov | 48 | 46 |
Dec | 41 | 42 |
It is no surprise that seafood predominates the menu in this coastal location with Mussels being the local delicacy. Other seafood such as, sardines, lobsters, sea bass, scallops, and tuna to name a few can be found in the local Vendée markets and restaurants. The Vendee and Cherbourg however does have other famous cuisine dishes such as “mogette” for instance. This culinary delight is slowly cooked for hours to create it’s distinctive taste and is made from tiny white haricot beans grown in local towns, often served with local gammon.
The Vendee has been known as the ‘duck capital’ for many years now and so the region certainly doesn’t disappoint with a variety of methods used for cooking wild duck. Another sumptuous meat dish is ‘poulet’ which is wild black feathered chicken. You may have already heard of this as Selfridges food hall often stocks the fine cuisine delight, so why not taste the difference from the home town it orginated from.
The Vendée is a popular destination amongst tourists, featuring plenty of churches, abbeys, museums and many other attractions listed below.
Zoo de Palmyre
Zoo de Palmyre has over 1600 animals spread over 100’s of hectares making this zoo really worth a visit. It’s location is in pleasant countryside among an abundance of the pine trees offering welcoming shade in the hotter months of the year.
Futuroscope
Futuroscope is a theme park like no other. Futuroscope has been developed around the 3d moving image. It holds virtual reality simulator rides, 3D cinemas, and showcases fantastic technology from dancing with robots to a interactive safari into the future. You will be amazed, astonished and want more and more after a day at this unique theme park.
Le Puy du Fou
Step back in time to enter the land of the Vikings and Romans, experiencing a realistic Viking battle ship and Roman settlements, this day is filled with plenty of exciting action and historic education at the same time.
Aqualand
Aqualand is a thrilling energy draining theme park with a huge variety of water based rides from various different water flumes, rubber rings rides, rapids, Jacuzzis, a surf beach and a softer more gentle water park for the younger ages.
Yeu Island
Here is a location more for the adults. One hour-boat ride north of the Vendée coast you will find lle d’Yeu Island. This island is a place in which it is believed that time has stood still. The unspoilt island attracts tourists with vibrant colourful shops and bars surrounding the main town.