Vendee places to visit and attractions
Below you can explore some of the most popular highlights and places of interest in the Vendee department of Pays de la Loire. See also our Vendee travel guide
Bretignolles-sur-Mer
Bretignolles-sur-Mer is one of the smallest Vendee resorts - still has a big beach though!
Chateau d'Olonne
Chateau d'Olonne is a very small resort, well placed for exploring the coast and visiting Sables d'Olonne
Fontenay-le-Comte
With some interesting 18th century townhouses to see, Fontenay-le-Comte is also home to the Chateau de Terre-Neuve
Ile d'Yeu
Explore the Ile d'Yeu on foot or by bike to see scenic coastline, beaches and a medieval castle
Jard-sur-Mer
Jard-sur-Mer is a very pleasant, if quite small, Vendee resort with a harbour and a beach
La Faute-sur-Mer
Here at La Faute-sur-Mer you can explore the nature reserve and peninsula - or relax on the long beach!
La Tranche-sur-Mer
La Tranche-sur-Mer is a small resort, but very pleasant and with an enjoyable promenade behind the beach
Longeville-sur-Mer
At Longeville-sur-Mer you will enjoy the lively market in the town as well as the sandy beach
Lucon
Lucon is a quiet Vendee town, usually visited for its imposing cathedral and public gardens
Maillezais abbey
The ruins of the Maillezais abbey are on the edge of the marshes of the Marais Poitevin
Nieul-sur-l'Autise
Highlights in Nieul-sur-l'Autise include the Abbey of Saint-Vincent and a traditional watermill
Noirmoutier
On Noirmoutier island you can find lots of sandy beaches and a traditional port town
Notre-Dame-de-Monts
The resort of Notre-Dame-de-Monts is one of the quiter resorts of the Vendee coast
Port Bourgenay
The small town of Talmont-Saint-Hilaire is best known for the Chateau de Talmont, where various events are held during the summer
Sables d'Olonne
The lively town of Sables-d'Olonne is our favourite resort on the Vendee coast
Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie
The port town of Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie is an attractive and traditional town, very lively in summer
Saint-Hilaire-de-Riez
Saint-Hilaire-de-Riez is the beach resort next to Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie
Saint-Jean-de-Monts
At Saint-Jean-de-Monts you will enjoy the extensive sandy beaches and one of the livelier resorts on the Vendee coast
Vouvant
The pleasant village of Vouvant still retains part of a medieval castle and an ancient stone bridge
For more information see the Vendee guide
Market towns & days in Vendee
all markets in morning unless otherwise stated
Angles: Wednesday & Sunday
Barbatre: Wednesday
Beauvoir-sur-Mer: Thursday
Benet: Monday
Brem-sur-Mer: Tuesday & Friday
Bretignolles-sur-Mer: Thursday & Sunday
Challans: Tuesday & Saturday & Friday
Fontenay-le-Comte: Saturday all day
Jard-sur-Mer: Monday
La Barre-de-Monts: Saturday
La Faute-sur-Mer: Thursday & Sunday
La Gueriniere: Thursday & Sunday
La Mothe-Achard: Friday
La Roche-sur-Yon: Wednesday & Tuesday & Thursday & Saturday & Friday
La Tranche-sur-Mer: Wednesday & Saturday
Les Essarts: Wednesday
Lucon: Wednesday & Saturday
Noirmoutier: Tuesday & Sunday & Monday & Friday
Notre-Dame-de-Monts: Sunday
Sables d'Olonne: every day
Saint Gilles Croix de Vie: Wednesday & Tuesday & Thursday & Sunday & Saturday
Saint-Hilaire-de-Riez: Tuesday & Thursday & Sunday & Monday & Friday
Saint-Jean-de-Monts: Wednesday & Saturday
Tourist attractions to visit in Vendee
The following sites have received official "tourist classifications"...
Zoo or wildlife park
Fauconnerie du Puy du Fou (falconry)
Natur'Zoo de Mervent
Parc zoologique des Sables-d'Olonne
4* Towns in Bloom
Notre-Dame-de-Monts
Saint-Jean-de-Monts
Towns of Art and History
Fontenay-le-Comte: Tourist guide
Theme Park
Puy de Fou
Sites of Natural Beauty
Baie de l'Aiguillon
Secteur Sauvegardé (protected historical town centre)
Fontenay-le-Comte: Tourist guide
Listed 'Remarkable Gardens'
Jardins de Chaligny
Jardins du Bâtiment
Religious Monuments
Abbaye Royale (Nieul-sur-l'Autise)
Abbaye Saint Pierre et Eglise de Saint Nicolas (Maillezais)
Eglise de Notre-Dame (Vouvant)
Eglise de Notre-Dame de l'Assomption (Maille)
Eglise de Saint-Eulalie (Benet)
Towns classified as Recommended Detours
Fontenay-le-Comte: Tourist guide
National Monuments
Georges Clemenceau house
Villages classified as "most beautiful villages"
Vouvant: Tourist guide