Must-sees
Port Olona
Home quay of the Vendée Globe race and the largest marina in Vendée, with over 1,000 boats.
Learn more
Le Puits d'Enfer
A deep chasm in the cliffs where the sea crashes in at high tide.
Le Remblai
The promenade along the Grande Plage, with its famous clock, many cafés and lively summer evenings.
La Côte Sauvage
11 km of wild coastline with the sandy beaches of La Paracou, L'Aubraie and Sauveterre.
L'Île Penotte
Houses decorated with colourful seashell mosaics among the hollyhocks.
The Fishing Port
France's 4th fishing port, buzzing at all hours and lined with seafood restaurants.
Learn more
The Olonne Forest
Planted under Louis XV, it stretches over 1,000 hectares of dunes to protect the marshes.
Learn more
Rue de l'Enfer
The narrowest street in the world (listed in the Guinness Book of Records)!
Relax & outings
Les Sables Zoo — Over 200 animals in a natural setting: big cats, monkeys, giraffes, reptiles.
“Le 7ème Continent” aquarium — Open-air pools and a 1,700 m² covered area with over 3,000 animals.
Boat trips & sea fishing — Sail the Vendée Globe channel, the wild coast of La Chaume and the Barges lighthouse; sea fishing with equipment provided (Port de Pêche – Quai Guiné).
Thalassotherapy — Spa, hammam and massages by Lake Tanchet, facing the ocean.
Salt marshes — Watch salt workers harvest the “white gold”; boat tours and canoe hire. lessalines.fr
Casinos — Barrière “Les Atlantes” and JOA “Les Pins”.
Sports
Cycling — Many cycle paths between sea, dunes, forest and marshes (20 adult bikes provided).
Water sports — Surfing, wave-ski and sailing schools.
Golf — Port Bourgenay: an 18-hole championship course by the sea and a Pitch & Putt.
Horse racing / riding — La Malbrande racecourse (June–September) and riding club (from age 4).
Bowling — 10 lanes, with bumpers for kids.
Day trips in Vendée
Puy du Fou — The famous theme park and its Cinéscénie night show, 1 hour away. puydufou.com
Green Venice — Flat-bottomed boat rides in the Marais Poitevin, 1 hour away.
Water parks — Atlantic Toboggan (30 km) and Océanile on Noirmoutier island (1h30), reached via the tidal Passage du Gois.