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

photo of Bretignolles-sur-Mer

Bretignolles-sur-Mer

Bretignolles-sur-Mer is one of the smallest Vendee resorts - still has a big beach though!
See guide

photo of Chateau d'Olonne

Chateau d'Olonne

Chateau d'Olonne is a very small resort, well placed for exploring the coast and visiting Sables d'Olonne
See guide

photo of Chateau de Tiffauges

Chateau de Tiffauges

The Chateau de Tiffauges is a 12th century castle in Vendee, known for its medieval re-enactments
See guide

photo of Fontenay-le-Comte

Fontenay-le-Comte

With some interesting 18th century townhouses to see, Fontenay-le-Comte is also home to the Chateau de Terre-Neuve
See guide

photo of Ile d'Yeu

Ile d'Yeu

Explore the Ile d'Yeu on foot or by bike to see scenic coastline, beaches and a medieval castle
See guide

photo of Jard-sur-Mer

Jard-sur-Mer

Jard-sur-Mer is a very pleasant, if quite small, Vendee resort with a harbour and a beach
See guide

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photo of La Faute-sur-Mer

La Faute-sur-Mer

Here at La Faute-sur-Mer you can explore the nature reserve and peninsula - or relax on the long beach!
See guide

photo of La Tranche-sur-Mer

La Tranche-sur-Mer

La Tranche-sur-Mer is a small resort, but very pleasant and with an enjoyable promenade behind the beach
See guide

photo of Longeville-sur-Mer

Longeville-sur-Mer

At Longeville-sur-Mer you will enjoy the lively market in the town as well as the sandy beach
See guide

photo of Lucon

Lucon

Lucon is a quiet Vendee town, usually visited for its imposing cathedral and public gardens
See guide

photo of Luçon cathedral

Luçon cathedral

Luçon cathedral is a small cathedral with element in the roman, gothic, classical and neo-gothic styles
See guide

photo of Maillezais abbey

Maillezais abbey

The ruins of the Maillezais abbey are on the edge of the marshes of the Marais Poitevin
See guide

photo of Nieul-sur-l'Autise

Nieul-sur-l'Autise

Highlights in Nieul-sur-l'Autise include the Abbey of Saint-Vincent and a traditional watermill
See guide

photo of Noirmoutier

Noirmoutier

On Noirmoutier island you can find lots of sandy beaches and a traditional port town
See guide

photo of Notre-Dame-de-Monts

Notre-Dame-de-Monts

The resort of Notre-Dame-de-Monts is one of the quiter resorts of the Vendee coast
See guide

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photo of Port Bourgenay

Port Bourgenay

The small resort of Bourgenay has a port and a popular beach
See guide

photo of Sables d'Olonne

Sables d'Olonne

The lively town of Sables-d'Olonne is our favourite resort on the Vendee coast
See guide

photo of Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie

Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie

The port town of Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie is an attractive and traditional town, very lively in summer
See guide

photo of Saint-Hilaire-de-Riez

Saint-Hilaire-de-Riez

Saint-Hilaire-de-Riez is the beach resort next to Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie
See guide

photo of Saint-Jean-de-Monts

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
See guide

photo of Talmont-Saint-Hilaire

Talmont-Saint-Hilaire

The small town of Talmont-Saint-Hilaire is mainly known for the Chateau de Talmont, where various events take place during the summer season.
See guide

photo of Vouvant

Vouvant

The pleasant village of Vouvant still retains part of a medieval castle and an ancient stone bridge
See guide

For more information see the Vendee guide

 
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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: See tourist guide

Towns of Art and History

Fontenay-le-Comte: See tourist guide

Theme Park

Puy de Fou

Sites of Natural Beauty

Baie de l'Aiguillon

Secteur Sauvegardé (protected historical town centre)

Fontenay-le-Comte: See 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: See tourist guide

National Monuments

Georges Clemenceau house

Villages classified as "most beautiful villages"

Vouvant: See tourist guide

 
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