The 10 best things to do in Vendée with kids

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If you’re visiting Vendée with the kids then you’re in luck because I’ve put together a family holiday itinerary with the best things to do during your trip! With its sun-soaked coastline, pine forests, theme parks, historic castles and miles of countryside, the Vendée is one of our top spots for a laid-back family holiday in France. It’s got something for every age and budget – and if you’re road tripping it’s not too far from the Caen or Calais ports either. (Plus there are some awesome Eurocamp sites there if you’re still hunting for your perfect base!) So, here are my top ten picks for the best things to do in the Vendée with kids – have fun!

1. Mesmerise the kids at Puy du Fou theme park

One of the best things to do in Vendée with kids is a visit to Puy Du Fou Theme Park. This isn’t your average theme park – there isn’t a single ride! Puy du Fou is famous for its incredible historical shows featuring gladiators, Vikings, musketeers and more – all performed in epic outdoor arenas with stunts, fire effects, fight scenes and even animals. The storytelling is superb and we were absolutely blown away by the quality of the sets and the shows – which had us mesmerised the entire day! It was like being on a movie set! You absolutely can’t visit Vendée without spending a day there – check out my Puy du Fou Family Guide for all the details.

2. Ride the canals at Marais Poitevin

Known as France’s “Green Venice”, the Marais Poitevin is a peaceful and scenic network of canals that’s perfect for a calm family day out. You can hire a boat and paddle gently through the shaded waterways. So, if you’d like to have a relaxing afternoon on the water, or if you prefer a calmer more nature based style of holiday, this is a lovely place to explore with the kids. Book a ride with a guide and they might even light the water on fire (safely!) to demonstrate the natural gases – which is bound to be a hit with the kids!

3. Let off steam at Le Grand Défi Adventure Park

Le Grand Défi Adventure Park is, without a doubt, one of the best places to visit with kids in Vendée – with loads of things on offer. Set in a forest, this outdoor adventure park has a treetop obstacle courses for all ages, paintball, pony rides, an aqua park on the lake, laser tag and more! The high ropes course has more than 40 course options at different levels, zip-lines across the lake and through the woods and all sorts of challenges to keep the kids busy. Everything is well organised and clearly colour-coded by difficulty, so it’s great even for nervous climbers. We visited twice during our stay, once for the aqua park and once for the high ropes, and Finn and Lola absolutely loved every second! For all the details check out my guide and review for Le Grand Défi. (Coming soon!)

4. Follow the clues at Château des Aventuriers

This brilliant mix of history and imagination makes Château des Aventuriers a must for families with young explorers. Set around a real château, there are themed trails where kids can follow clues, solve puzzles and learn a bit of history along the way. There’s a dinosaur park with life-sized models, a pirate-themed treasure hunt and even escape game-style challenges for older children. So if you’re after a super quirky family day out in Vendée, with plenty of things for the kids to do, then walk with dinosaurs and try your best to solve the puzzles at Château des Aventuriers.

5. Build sandcastles at Les Sables-d’Olonne

Les Sables-d’Olonne is a lively seaside town that ticks all the boxes for a perfect beach day. The main beach is wide and sandy – ideal for sandcastles and having a paddle. Behind the beach, there’s a lovely promenade with cafes, ice-cream shops (which we of course had to visit!) and a carousel that younger kids will adore. Further along there’s a marina area with even more places to relax and eat, or pack up a picnic and enjoy a completely free day out with the kids. Don’t forget your buckets and spades!

6. Escape to a nearby island

If you fancy an island adventure, hop on a ferry to Île d’Yeu – the crossing itself is exciting for children and the island feels a world away from the mainland. You can hire bikes and cycle past cliffs and beaches, stopping off for paddles or picnics. The island has a fortress, lovely seafood spots and beautiful wild scenery – perfect for a slow and scenic day out. Or check out Île de Noirmoutier by crossing the bridge to the island or, even more fun, via the Passage du Gois – a road that disappears with the tide (check tide times carefully!). Once there, you’ll find a charming island full of salt marshes, sandy beaches and picture-perfect villages.

7. Spend a day in the wild at Planète Sauvage Zoo

If you’re happy to drive a little further (about an hour outside of Vendée), Planète Sauvage Zoo is a fantastic day out for animal-lovers. It’s a safari-style animal park where you drive your own car through large enclosures filled with lions, rhinos, giraffes and zebras. There’s also a walking zone with a dolphin show, lemur walk-through and a jungle trail. While it’s one of the pricier attractions, you can bring your own food to keep costs down and it’s a great one for a special treat day, or perhaps if the weather isn’t quite on your side for sunbathing!

8. Step back in time at Talmont‑St‑Hilaire Castle

If you’re looking for a fun and educational day out in Vendée with the kids, a visit to Talmont-Saint-Hilaire Castle is a must. This impressive medieval fortress, once home to Richard the Lionheart, offers a brilliant mix of history and hands-on activities. Little ones can dress up in knight costumes, take part in treasure hunts, try archery or enjoy live shows like falconry and jousting during the summer. There are plenty of themed events throughout the year, and you can even attend a night time show, so plan your visit around those for even more fun – it’s a great value family outing that brings history to life in the heart of the Vendée.

9. Hire a canoe to explore Lac de Jaunay

We were so fortunate that the campsite we stayed at for our trip (Le Pin Parasol) was right on the gorgeous Lac de Jaunay. You can enjoy a wander around the lake – there’s even a restaurant there too overlooking the water if you want some refreshments. But if you’re visiting Vendée in the summer months, and you’re looking for fun things to do with the kids, then you’ll be pleased to know that you can hire canoes and pedalos on Lac de Jaunay. Unfortunately, we were just a little bit too early in the year for the water activities but it’s a beautiful spot to spend a sunny afternoon!

10. Cycle the Vendée or try the Vélorail

The Vendée is heaven for family cycling, thanks to its flat paths that wind through forests, along beaches and past rural villages. You can hire bikes locally (many places have trailers or child seats too), and there are short scenic routes perfect for little legs. If you want a quirky twist, give the Vélorail a go – it’s a pedal-powered cart that rides along disused railway tracks. It’s a giggle for kids and adults alike and something a bit different from your usual bike ride. Both options offer a fun way to see the peaceful countryside.

Where exactly is Vendee in France – how do I get there from the UK?

If you’re dreaming of sandy beaches, charming French towns and a bit of sunshine that doesn’t break the bank, Vendée might just be the perfect family getaway. Nestled on the west coast of central France, just below Brittany and above La Rochelle, Vendée is part of the Pays de la Loire region. It’s known for its gorgeous coastline, pine forests and plenty of child-friendly campsites – ideal for frugal family holidays.

So, how do you get there from the UK? You’ve got a few options, depending on your budget, patience and whether you’re packing everything but the kitchen sink (we usually do!). One of the most cost-effective ways – especially for families – is to drive. You can take a ferry from Portsmouth, Poole or Plymouth to Caen and from there it’s a short 3.5 to 4 hour drive to the Vendée region. If you’re taking the Eurotunnel from Folkestone, or a ferry from Dover to Calais, the drive is around 6.5 hours. So the Vendée area is a great road trip destination if you’re travelling with kids, as both drive times are doable in a day. If you’d prefer, you can also fly to Nantes – the closest major airport to Vendée. From there, you can hire a car and be on the coast in about an hour or so – or La Rochelle airport is nearby too.

Where are best places to stay in Vendée with kids?

There are some awesome campsites and child-friendly resorts in Vendée – we had such a great time for our 2025 trip at Le Pin Parasol which is a 5 star campsite that definitely deserves all of its stars! Click here to read my Le Pin Parasol Review. If you’re after waterslides, pools, activities and a little bit of luxury it’s a fantastic spot for a family holiday. There are some brilliant Eurocamp sites in the Vendée region so if you’re after waterparks for the kids, or the beach on your doorstep, there are some brilliant options available for your family travels. My other top picks would be Le Domaine du Clarys – Le Clarys Plage, La Garangeoire, Le Jard and Château La Forêt. Find out all about them in my article: Eurocamp France: The 5 best Vendée holiday parks for families.

Is Vendée worth a visit?

Absolutely – I hope this article has helped you to find the best days out for your family holiday itinerary – there are so many fabulous things to do with the kids in Vendée. It’s less touristy than places like the south of France, but that’s part of the charm – it’s easier on the wallet, quieter in peak season and still offers loads for families. If you’re after a budget-friendly family road trip, it’s also not too far from ports like Caen and Calais, so it’s a great location for travelling with kids. We had such a fantastic time in Vendée, we loved our Eurocamp stay at Le Pin Parasol and the region is lovely – it’s definitely worth a visit!