Travel Guide Vendée

The Vendée is both a department and the river that runs through it, a tributary of the Sèvre Niortaise. At the heart of the historic province of Poitou, Vendée borders the Atlantic Ocean. From fine sandy beaches to romantic marshes, it boasts an impressive array of landscapes. The jewels of the coastline, the islands of Yeu and Noirmoutier, remain the destination's beacons. Then there's the Breton marsh at the gateway to the islands, the best bathing spots, famous seaside resorts and the Poitevin marshes... Numerous historic sites evoke the great Vendée epic, from prehistory to the Vendée wars, via the Middle Ages and the Renaissance! Among the best-preserved remains arethe Prieuré de Grammont in Saint Prouant and thefeudal château of Sigournais, listed as a Monument Historique. The natural heritage is not to be outdone, with numerous parks and gardens, from Montaigu to Luçon and from La Mothe Achard to Les Essarts. Among the must-see events in the Vendée:the Puy du Fou Cinéscénie, the world's largest night-time show, the Fête de la Mogette, which pays tribute to the little Vendée bean, and the Vent des Globes, the biggest event of them all, as it only takes place every 4 years. Last but not least, this is an ideal family destination, where you'll be able to enjoy a cuisine that blends land and sea.