| The Vendee is perfect for the water sports enthusiast: surfing, windsurfing, kayaking, sailing and snorkelling. Bask in the warm summer sun on one of the golden sandy beaches, paradise for the sun worshipper or swim in the clear blue waters. Children don’t forget your buckets and spades! Pick up your lunch at the local charcuterie and boulangerie and picnic in one of the shady pine forests.
Seafood is a speciality here and is reasonably priced. Feast on the fresh mussels, oysters, crab and lobster accompanied by a bottle of the local Muscadet - “simply delicious!”
The bustling resorts of St. Jean de Monts, Les Sables d’Olonne and La Rochelle provide a wide range of activities for young and old alike. There are also more tranquil places such as the pretty fishing port of St. Gilles Croix de Vie, the island Ile de Nourmoutier or the Marais Pontevin Regional Park otherwise known as “Green Venice”.
Cycling is a safe and ideal way to discover the beauty of the area, as there are numerous cycle paths throughout the Vendée linking places of interest. Explore the many vineyards and visit the caves where you can taste the local good quality wines and buy them directly from the producer at surprisingly modest prices.
Places to visit around Clarys Plage
LE PUY DU FOU
A world famous 18 th century Renaissance château houses a theme park with huge historical re-enactments and spectacular performances by night.
FUTUROSCOPE
This is one of the most famous theme parks in France . It provides a unique opportunity to see the most advanced cinema techniques from 3D to 360° screens.
ST. JEAN DE MONTS
A vibrant seaside resort with a long promenade and a wide sandy beach. It sports a vast variety of fine restaurants and fashionable shops, casinos and nightclubs.
ATLANTIC TOBOGGAN PARK
An exciting water park with chutes and slides near St. Hilaire de Riez.
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LES SABLES D'OLONNE
A modern seaside town which has a marina, fort and war museum. The beaches are beautiful and very large. Inland, explore the marshland, the salt marsh and the pine forest thanks to the numerous paths.
ZOO DES SABLES
The Zoo at Les Sables d'Olonne is well worth a visit, with its huge diversity of animal species, and some of them aren't known but already endangered.
MARAIS POITEVIN
A national park home to bird sanctuaries and hamlets bordered by canals - also known as “Green Venice”.
MARAIS BRETON VENDEEN
Part of the Marais Poitevin, the Marais Breton Vendéen stretches from the Bay of Bourgneuf to Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie. Explore the canals and channels and Bouin, the “Isle in the land”.
BOCAGE VENDEEN
Have a break in this peaceful landscape of fields and pastures. Follow the course of the river Sèvre Nantaise and visit the chateaux, the mills, medieval fortresses and the natural park.
ÎLE DE NOIRMOUTIER
The island is connected to the mainland at low tide by the Gois Causeway or by a bridge from Fromentine. Beautiful unspoilt beaches, white houses, salt marshes and a château make this well worth a visit.
OCEANILE
A large waterpark on the island of Île de Noirmoutier with huge swimming pools and chutes.
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ÎLE D'YEU
Take a boat trip to this island of granite cliffs and rocky creeks. |
