Things to See and Do
Beaches
The Atlantic coast with its glorious beaches is only 30 minutes drive away, giving the choice of miles and miles of sandy coastline, varying from pure sand and dunes at La Faute sur Mer, the nature reserve at the Pointe d'Aiguillon, to the sand and rockpools of St Vincent sur Jard and Jard sur Mer. Body boarding, surfing and wind surfing can be enjoyed at the beaches around La Tranche. Surf just north of Les Sables or take a full day out and visit La Côte Sauvage. Beaches for all tastes and ages, most with the EEC blue flag for cleanliness. Windsurfers and dinghies can be hired from many beaches. The coast is well served with many hundreds of kilometres of newly designated cycle tracks along dunes and through the pine forests. Bike hire is widely available.
Le Grand Parc de Puy du Fou
This extraordinary theme park displays the history of France from the standpoint of events in the Vendée through spectacular re-enactments. Set in a huge landscaped park, the shows of the Puy du Fou combine the skills of actors, horsemen, falconers and stuntmen together with stunning sets and effects that bring history to life. Sensational and exciting, some American visitors last year rated the park as "better than Disneyland"!. Open from April until end September. English translation headsets available.
The Puy du Fou also stages evening shows (the "Cinéscène") on regular evening dates throughout the summer. This outside spectacular is perfomed on a "stage" of several acres (the largest in the World), and features over a thousand actors and some of the most ingeneous special effects seen anywhere.
To visit their website, click here
Indian Forest
A brilliant adventure playground for children and adults alike about 30 minutes from La Boulinerie. « Accrobranche » circuits at various heights through the tree tops provide thrills for all age groups in this very well run and patrolled park. Bouncy castles, pony rides and other giant inflatables are available for smaller children and a « maxi bungee » jump for the brave. Paintballing, and nocturnal tours of the circuits are also available. Everyone returns exhausted but exhilarated!
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Futuroscope
Originally opened as the European Science Park, this extraordinary theme park is now dedicated to the Moving Image. Incredible 3D cinematic effects, space simulators and rides are being updated constantly. About an hour and a quarter from La Boulinerie but well worth a day's trip.
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Parc Floral et Tropical de la Court d'Aron
Located at Saint-Cyr-en-Talmondais, between Luçon and Les Sables d'Olonne, the "Parc Floral et Tropical" (Floral and tropical park) of la Court d'Aron, offers a world tour of an exotic botanic heritage.From early July, acres of Asian lotuses provide a simply stunning show.
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La Rochelle
The historic city of La Rochelle lies thirty minutes from La Boulinerie and hosts our nearest International airport (La Rochelle-Ré). There are wonderful shops in the ancient cloistered streets which lead down to the old port. This is lined with great restaurants and overlooks a beautiful marina. The covered market is open daily and offers excellent local produce.
There is a superb, and very famous aquarium which makes an excellent day out in the unlikely event of rain!
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L'Ile de Ré
This beautiful unspoiled island is connected to the mainland by a huge suspension bridge from La Rochelle, half an hour from La Boulinerie. It offers fantastic beaches and cycling routes with the centre of the island given over to vineyards and pine forests, oyster beds and salt pans. The capital, the old port of St Martin en Ré, is a stunning town with a large marina surrounded by excellent restaurants, pretty buildings and a variety of shopping. A great day out, but make an early start
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Luçon
Our nearest big town, 10 minutes from La Boulinerie, Luçon has a beautiful cathedral and splendid public gardens (Jardin Dumaine) as well as offering excellent shopping facilities. There are restaurants to suit all tastes (even a McDonalds!) and a truly French covered food market every Wednesday and Saturday mornings. The town has many historic connections and buildings to explore, the infamous Cardinal Richlieu was Bishop of Luçon and is widely represented. Three hypermarkets on the ring-road as well as numerous clothing and shoe warehouses offer a wide variety of shopping.
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Fontenay-le-Comte
The charming Renaissance town of Fontenay le Comte lies 20 minutes to the east
of La Boulinerie on the banks of the gently flowing river Vendée. Its
history goes back to the time of the Gauls but is probably best known as the
fomer capital of the Vendée department. Napoleon I punished Fontenay
for its role in harbouring Royalists during the post revolution Vendéen
uprisings of 1793 by creating a new capital at La Roche sur Yon (originally
modestly called Napoleon sur Yon).
There is a fabulous market on Saturday mornings offering a vast range of local produce. Create your own meals or buy ready-prepared meals from the various stalls. The pretty buildings lining the high street house a variety of shops and restaurants (most of which are closed on Mondays).
The Chateau de Terre Neuve is a pretty
Renaissance castle with some extraordinary later architectural additions. Set
in pretty gardens it overlooks the town and is open from May to September. Tours
in English during high season.
For more details, click here
Le Forêt de Mervent
12,000 acres of mixed woodland, thirty
minutes from La Boulinerie, Le Foret de Mervent is brilliant for walking, cycling
and riding; criss-crossed with sign-posted trails for all abilities, (maps available).
Bicycle and pony hire at several locations. The cool shade under the trees can
be a very welcome relief in very hot weather and provides an ideal location
for picnics. Wild birds and mammals abound so bring your binoculars. The lake
at Mervent village offers canoes, kayaks and pedaloes for hire.
Le Parc de Pierre Brune is located within Mervent forest and is an adventure park aimed at smaller children offering large inflatables, trampolines and bumper boats. In Summer 2006 they also opened the longest slide in Europe hurtling through the trees for some 50 metres.
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Reclaimed from the sea over a thousand years ago, this network of canals was dug from the marshes by Dutch engineers and originally used by the numerous monastries for trade and the transportation of goods . Today you can hire flat bottomed boats or canoes to explore the miles of peaceful algae covered waterways, known as La Venise Verte (The Green Venice), or sit back and relax in a punt steered by an informative guide. The wildlife is staggering; the canals seething with kingfishers, dragonflies, otters, coypu and crayfish. It is a wonderfully relaxing way to spend an hour or a day and boats can be hired at Maillezais, Coulon and Damvix amongst other places.
Les Sables d'Olonne
This elegant seaside resort has beautiful beaches and a traditional seafront, with roundabouts and sideshows in high season. The old port offers a range of very good restaurants at all price ranges. There are chic shops and an excellent food market in the centre of town. Every four years the town hosts the start and finish of the famous Vendée Globe single-handed, round-the-world yacht race. There is an excellent and very popular zoo.
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Chateaux
Tiffauges
The building of Le Chateau de Tiffauges was started in the 12th century and finished in the 16th. The chateau was, at one stage, home to Gilles de Rias, otherwise known as Bluebeard, the murderous Marshall of France under Charles VII who met a somewhat bloody end. There is a collection of engines of war, many in complete working order and whose operation is demonstrated every day. Under an hour from La Boulinerie.
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La Chabotterie
La Chabotterie is a very pretty small chateau in the rural setting of Bas-Poitou. The castle and agricultural buildings form a horseshoe shape around a courtyard. There is an enclosed garden consisting of an ornamental area with geometric flower beds, a maze, and a vegetable garden where various types of vegetables and medicinal plants are grown. The visitor centre hosts a wide and frequently changing variety of exhibitions from history to horticulture. About 45 minutes from La Boulinerie.
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Abbeys
Maillezais
The Cathedral abbey of St Peter at Maillezais in the heart of the 'Green Venice' is probably the most beautiful and romantic ruin in Vendée. It was founded in the 10th century and abandonned in the 17th century. Open to visitors, there are many different displays with actors in costume that bring the place to life. During August there is a spectacular son et lumière and fireworks display with flaming braziers, monks, knights on horseback and a stirring soundtrack. In December the Abbey hosts a big outdoor Christmas market, nativity and choral concerts.
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Nieul sur l'Autise
The Abbey of Nieul sur l’Autise was founded in 1068. In the 12th century it was granted the status of Royal Abbey by Eleanor of Aquitaine, then the Queen of France. The abbey’s Romanesque cloister is the only one in western France to have been preserved intact. It features fabulous wood carvings and beautiful sculptures. An adjoining courtyard is surrounded by the monks’ quarters. Tours are available in several languages, including English. Throughout the year it is the location for many classical concerts featuring international orchestras and choirs.
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For Sports in the Vendée, click here
For more ideas, visit Angela Bird's Vendée Pages
For information from the Vendée Tourist Board, click here
To reserve a property or for more information, please Email
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