The hike
With a total of more than 5,000 km of hiking trails, you can enjoy the pleasures of walking without difficulty. The GR364 is the largest long-distance hiking trail in the region (170 km), crossing the Vendée from west to east from Jard-sur-Mer to La Chapelle-aux-Lys. The GR8 stretches for 218 km along the coast, from the Loire-Atlantique to the Charente-Maritime. On the land side, the northeastern part of the Vendée is revealed with the Sèvre nantaise and the hills of the Vendée bocage.
For horse or donkey riding, in addition to the equestrian centers in the department, the Vendée also has two stud farms, including the national stud farm of La Roche-sur-Yon. Different types of rides are available to riders, from the landscapes of the South Vendée, from the Marais Poitevin to the forest of Mervent, to the bocage, offering a more hilly face, crossed by the Sèvre Nantaise. The Yon valley is also suitable for beautiful horseback riding. Not to mention the Vendée coastline and its long sandy beaches...
As for cycling, with 1,000 km of cycle paths, 350 km of which are reserved exclusively for pedestrians and bicycles, and 220 km of cycle paths along the coastline, cycling enthusiasts have a lot to do in the Vendée. It must be said that the department is the first cycling department in France! To help you find your way around, a guide of more than 70 cycling routes grouped into 6 major itineraries has been produced. A smartphone application (the first in France) with more than 1,300 geolocated data is also available.
Canoeing
One of the advantages of canoeing is that it is easy to practice. There is no need for an initiation to quickly enjoy the joys of paddling on a river or a body of water. On the sea, however, an initiation can be judicious because of the more agitated conditions. Ideal for discovering the Green Venice and its canals, canoeing is also accessible to all, young and old.
In the trees
There are several sites in the Vendée to climb trees. The first course in the department (Indian Forest) was created in the commune of Le Bernard between Avrillé and La Tranche-sur-Mer. A concept which then developed quickly, as in Saint-Jean-de-Monts on the site of Parée Jésus (Arbre et Aventure) and just a step away from there on the commune of Saint-Hilaire-de-Riez with Feeling Forest. Le Grand Défi in Saint-Julien-des-Landes also offers tree climbing and other activities.
Golf
The one in Saint-Jean-de-Monts offers a varied course in a very beautiful setting. An 18-hole course practicable all year round, with wild and uneven courses.
The Domangère course has the highest slope in France and a great diversity of shots to play. An 18-hole course that marvelously combines charm and a taste for challenge.
The Golf des Fontenelles offers a wooded course dedicated to players of all levels. Renowned for its training facilities, this course extends over more than 6 km, punctuated with water obstacles, maritime pines and green oaks.
The Port-Bourgenay Golf Course is an 18-hole course located on the seashore, on the edge of the state forest and overlooking the marina.
10 minutes from the ocean, the Golf des Olonnes, with its panoramic view, is a beautiful 18-hole course on a slightly hilly site. Perfect for players of all levels.
Fishing...
Between its rivers, its lakes and the ocean (4,600 km of waterways and 1,300 ha of lakes), the Vendée offers great leisure opportunities to fishing enthusiasts, whatever the type of fishing practiced. And as far as fish are concerned, there is also a wide range of species in the department. In fresh water, it is an activity that is on the rise since 30,000 fishermen have been counted. Where to fish in fresh water? For rivers, the Grande Maine in Saint-Georges-de- Montaigu, the Jaunay in La Chapelle-Hermier, the Lay in Mareuil-sur-Lay, the Ligneron in Soullans, the Mère in Vouvant, the Vendée in Fontenay-le-Comte, the Vie in Apremont... And for the lakes, the lake of Apremont, the lake of Gorand in Coëx, the lake of Mervent. For more information, contact the Vendée Fishing Federation at 02 51 37 19 05.
Among the places where you can fish at sea, let's mention Aiguillon-sur-Mer, the Pointe de l'Herbaudière in Noirmoutier, the beach of La Pège in Saint-Hilaire-de-Riez, the jetty in Sables-d'Olonne, the jetty in Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie, the creeks of Sion-sur-l'Océan in Saint-Hilaire-de-Riez... And what can you fish for there, whether you cast, plug or surfcast ? Sea bass, sea bream, mackerel, mullet, pout, smelt... Sea fishing trips are offered on the coast, such as at La Messaline in Sables-d'Olonne.
If of course we go there to fish and bring back mussels, clams, cockles, pine nuts, razor clams... fishing on foot is also, or even more importantly, the opportunity to have a nice walk with friends or family. Fans have an appointment on days of high tides, because it is in the open rocks that shellfish are hidden. As for shellfish, some like the rocks and others prefer the sand.
Ornithology
Birds love the Vendée marshes, a unique ornithological spot to observe the elegant avocet, the black-headed gull, the grey harrier, the short-eared owl, the black-tailed godwit... At the Cité des Oiseaux, in Landes Genusson, west of Les Herbiers, a site is entirely dedicated to them. In Noirmoutier, the Müllembourg reserve, managed by the LPO (League for the Protection of Birds), and the Polder de Sébastopol reserve are refuges for many species. The island of Yeu is also rich in birds. Another site managed by the LPO: the Michel Brosselin Nature Reserve in Saint-Denis-du-Payré, east of Luçon. And a little further the reserve of the Marais de la Vacherie, without forgetting the pointe de l'Aiguillon.
The hot air balloon
Want to discover the Vendée from the sky? The early risers will enjoy a flight at sunrise and the others will choose the evening flight, 2 hours before sunset, a question of atmospheric conditions. Take-offs are possible at the Puy du Fou, Cerizay and Auzay along the Vendée river, for a flight over the Marais Poitevin. Information from the only company offering this type of service: www.la-montgolfiere.com.
Parasailing
Cousin of the parachute, the parasailing uses the same principle, namely the parachute, with the difference that this one consists in rising in the air from the ground, the sea or a body of water, pulled quickly by a boat or a car. Not as much as classic skydiving, but the adrenaline is still there!
The free fall
The most beautiful view to jump? Above the bay of Sables-d'Olonne! Beginners can take a first jump with an instructor. For experienced jumpers, you can jump alone or in tandem. At an altitude of 3,500 m, a 50-second free fall at 200 km/hour is a guaranteed thrill! Once the parachute is open, the silence and the view are magical. Strong sensations guaranteed!
The kite
The Vendée is the ideal playground for kite flying; the winds can indeed be quite strong. Saint-Jean-de-Monts is a suitable site, but the capital of wind in the Vendée remains Notre-Dame-de-Monts, which hosts the A tout Vent festival (one of the 5 major events of the discipline in France) every year at the beginning of summer.
Water sports
A paradise for surfers, windsurfers and kitesurfers, the Atlantic Ocean also delights sailors and yachting enthusiasts. From the beaches of the islands to L'Aiguillon-sur-Mer, from La Barre-de-Monts to Saint-Jean-de-Monts via Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie, Les Sables-d'Olonne and La Tranche-sur-Mer, the nautical playgrounds are numerous.
The sand yacht. To practice sand yachting, head for Notre-Dame-de-Monts, even if Saint-Jean-de-Monts and La Barre-de-Monts are also perfect because of their beautiful and long sandy beaches.
The jet-ski, or sea scooter, delights motorcycle lovers but also thrill-seekers in search of freedom on the water. Whether seated (saddle jet) or standing (arm jet), with one or four people, jet-skiing can be practiced on the sea, river or lake. Without a certified instructor at your side, you will need a sea or coastal license to pilot a jet-ski.
Paddleboard. This sport uses a board derived from the surfboard to move on the water using the arms as in surfing. On your stomach or knees on the board, you glide over the water with the force of your arms. Originally linked to sea rescue, paddleboarding is a physical sport that combines a passion for the sea and a taste for effort.
Speed-sail. A little equivalent to a windsurfing on sand, the speed-sail is practiced standing. Slightly slower than sand yachts, speed-sails can nevertheless reach 90 km/h.
Surfing. Among the famous surfing spots of the Vendée, La Tranche-sur-Mer, the beach of Tanchet in Sables-d'Olonne and the beaches of Dunes and Sauzaie in Brétignolles are the most famous.
Sailing and windsurfing, catamaran. Rather optimist, catamaran, windsurfing... ? Beginners or not, you can enjoy these activities in the numerous sailing schools of the coast. A minimum of training is often all that is needed to enjoy the pleasures of the water.
Funboarding. Double looping, kicking the biloot on the run... does it speak to you? These are some of the tricks you may be able to perform when you try funboarding, this type of short and light windsurfing board that can make you reach 90 km/h.
Kite-surfing. Kite and surf lovers, kite-surfing is for you! Brétignolles-sur-Mer and Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie await you.
Wave-ski. If it is still a bit confidential, wave-skiing has a bright future ahead of it. The what? Wave-ski, surfing on a kayak in short. As for its cousin, we surf the wave, but with the help of paddles. At Tanchet beach in Les Sables, you may be lucky enough to see some of the youngsters in the national top 25.
Wakeboard. Halfway between water skiing, snowboarding and surfing, wakeboarding is a bit of all of these, and is to water skiing what snowboarding is to downhill skiing. More accessible for children, the kneeboard, where you are kneeling on a board wider than a wakeboard.
Motorsports
Karting. Several karting circuits are waiting for the fans of these little cars. Philippe Alliot, one of the first to embark on the adventure, who competed in F1 and won the 24 Hours of Le Mans, welcomes you to Belleville-sur-Vie. Château-d'Olonne, Ile d'Olonne, Challans, Fontenay-le-Comte also have circuits.
Quad. Several sites offer this leisure activity, including West Aventure in Saint-Révérend and, further south, Karting Mecamax in Ile d'Olonne. Mini-quads adapted for children are sometimes available.
