12 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!)

What are the best things to do in Vendée with kids?

1. Spend the day 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. We were absolutely blown away by the quality of the sets and the shows – 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. Alternatively, 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! You can also hire bikes to explore on land.

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 all sorts of challenges to keep the kids busy. 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!

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! For something a little bit special, the sunset boat trip looks fab or take a trip to Les Sables-d’Olonne Zoo.

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.

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. For something a little bit different, give the Vélorail a go – it’s a pedal-powered cart that rides along disused railway tracks. Both options offer a fun way to see the peaceful countryside.

11. Cool off at O’Gliss Waterpark

O’Gliss Park is one of the most popular waterparks in Vendée, offering a great mix of thrilling slides, wave pools and splash areas for younger children. It’s a fantastic family day out, with attractions suitable for toddlers through to teenagers. If you’re visiting the region during the summer, it’s well worth setting aside a day to cool off and enjoy the rides. Alternatively, families staying closer to the coast may want to visit Atlantic Toboggan, another popular Vendée waterpark featuring a variety of slides, heated pools, a large wave pool and dedicated areas for younger children.

12. Visit the Aquarium de Vendée

If the weather isn’t on your side, the Aquarium de Vendée is a great rainy-day activity for families. Home to sharks, rays, seahorses and colourful tropical fish, it’s an easy attraction to explore with children of all ages. The interactive displays help keep younger visitors entertained, while the indoor setting offers a welcome break from the beach on wetter days.

Where are best places to stay in Vendée with kids?

There are some awesome holiday parks in Vendée – check out my article on the 10 Best Eurocamp Holiday Parks in Vendée for Families for lots of brilliant options. Here’s a quick glimpse at 3 of my top picks:

Le Pin Parasol: This 5 star resort boasts indoor and outdoor heated pools, waterslides and splash areas, a huge playground, an indoor play room, a skateboarding park, sports and all sorts! We had one of our favourite holidays here – check out my Le Pin Parasol Review for all the details – it’s a fabulous place to stay.

Le Domaine Du Clarys – Le Clarys Plage: This lively resort boasts an impressive aquatic complex with waterslides, splash play and a heated pool. Plus, kids’ clubs for tiny tots through to teens, sports, play areas, a mini farm, soft play, laser tag, pony rides and lots more. You can even walk to the beach in just 5 minutes!

La Guyonnière: Set on the banks of Lake Jaunay, this family-friendly resort offers several swimming pools (indoor and out), waterslides, a lazy river and splash play. Plus, it boasts a mini farm, kids’ clubs, play areas, skateboarding, bowling, soft play and a spa – fabulous!

How do you get to Vendée from the UK?

One of the reasons Vendée is so popular with British families is that it’s relatively easy to reach from the UK, whether you’re travelling by car or plane. For many families, driving is the easiest and most cost-effective option, especially if you’re heading to a campsite or holiday park and want to take plenty of luggage.

Ferry Routes: You can take a ferry to Caen, St Malo or Roscoff along the Brittany/Normandy coastline then drive approximately around 3-5 hours to reach Vendée. Alternatively, if you’re travelling via the Eurotunnel from Folkestone or taking the Dover to Calais ferry, the drive to Vendée takes around 6.5 hours. While it’s a longer journey, it’s still manageable in a day and makes for a great family road trip.
Flying to Vendée: If you’d prefer to fly, the nearest major airport is Nantes, which is around an hour’s drive from much of the Vendée coastline. La Rochelle Airport is another option, particularly if you’re staying in the southern part of the region.

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 far from the ferry ports so it’s a great location for travelling with kids. We had such a fantastic time in Vendée, we loved our stay at Le Pin Parasol and the region is lovely – it’s definitely worth a visit! Head to my article on the 10 Best Eurocamp Holiday Parks in Vendée to plan your trip. 😊