What to do in Vendée with children?

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Want to have lots of good times with the children during your holidays in Vendée To (re)put your nose outside as the good weather approaches or simply share a visit or an activity, we give you all our ideas to know what to do in Vendée with children…Young and old alike! Ready to create new family memories in the Land of Pickles?

Go directly to the section that inspires you and discover all of our ideas for activities and outings with children in Vendée!

• The Grand Défi family adventure
• Outings with animals
• Activities for athletes
• The Fairy Tale of Santons, an original museum to discover with the family
• Our activities to experience with children
• Activities to do with the family in Vendée, around the Pays des Achards

👀 Will you dare to try the Grand Défi with your family?

The Grand Défi lives up to its name: from treetop adventures to zip lines, treasure hunts and paintball, there's something for everyone here... and every desire! Find 8 “Pitchoun” courses for the little ones from 2 to 5 years old. This is the opportunity to learn tree climbing from a young age, under the watchful eye of parents! If the children are a little older, take on the many family-friendly trails. On the program: 10 different "green" trails and 4 zip line trails above the ponds. 

Discover all the activities to do with children in this Vendée park: 

• 7 orientation course from beginner to advanced level. Please note: the green course for beginners lasts approximately 1 hour over 1,4 km
• The fun course “The Adventures of Russell” (2 to 5 years old)
• The treasure hunt “Sylvain’s World”, with 2 courses for 6-11 year olds and 1 course for 9-11 year olds
• Disc golf with the family, an activity similar to golf (but with a frisbee!) to try with the children
• Paintball (from 6 years old on the “Western” and “Fort Django” courses)
• Laser tag (from 6 years old)
• The aquapark (from 6 years old)
• The mini-farm, with sheep, goats, chickens, pigs and ponies
• The pony ride (from 2 years old)

🐥 For children, animal lovers

If your family's hobby is animals, head to Vendée with the children! Near the Jaunay Lake, direction the donkey farm “At the Donkey Tour"for a walk with your new big-eared companions. After the walk, meet them around the restaurant's guinguette terrace"The Snack”, where children can pet and brush them between main course and dessert!

Do you prefer horses? Saddle up for a ride in the forest at Garangeoire equestrian center ! Finally, don't miss a visit to the educational farm on Z'Animaux Vegetable GardenChickens, pigs, and goats await you for a self-guided or guided tour. Not to mention the opportunity to participate in caring for the animals!

🏅 For budding athletes 

When it comes to challenging family activities, the Vendée region is far from short of ideas! Whether you're soaking up the wind in your hair in the great outdoors, dipping your toes in the water at the aquatic center, or even turning your head upside down while learning the art of circus, all you have to do is invigorate your senses with our multitude of activities. 

🌱 A life-size adventure

If getting outdoors with your family is second nature to you, we invite you to participate in our activities combining exploration and oxygenation in Vendée. On the program: 

• The Legendr digital journey (from 7 years old)
• The 2 “Adventure Lab” courses at Swift et in Pickles
• The 8 courses of Geocaching in the Land of Pickles

💦 One plonk at the aquatic center

All year round, come and take a dip with your family at Aquatic Center of the Pays des AchardsBetween the slide and the natural counter-current river, where do you think the children will start?!

⛳️ 12-basket Disc Golf course

To combine sport and nature, try a new activity with your family in Vendée: Disc golf ! The principle? Instead of throwing a ball with a club like in classic golf, you throw a Frisbee using your arm strength, aiming at a basket, making as few shots as possible... while respecting the challenges imposed at the beginning!

🤡 Make it all one (Spirit) Cirk

In Vendée, the little acrobats push open the door of the (heated!) big top of the circus school The Circus SchoolTrapeze, juggling, balancing, acrobatics… Children are introduced to different disciplines during a class or a training during school holidays. As a bonus? The flying trapeze installed right next to the big top. It's the only one in the region!

⚽️ We get some fresh air at the playgrounds

Do the kids need to let off steam? That's good: the Land of Achards is home to playgrounds While the little ones enjoy the attractions, the older ones settle down at the picnic tables... Everyone has their own way of relaxing in Vendée! 

🐟 Have the energy

Grab your fishing rod and your best bait: the ponds, bodies of water and Lac du Jaunay await you for a fishing session with family! The Tourist Office also offers day, week, or yearly passes for sale... Who will catch the biggest fish?

Our fishing spots

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BODY OF WATER OF THE FIEF DES RAINETTES

SAINT-JULIEN-DES-LANDES

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BODY OF WATER IN SAINTE FLAIVE DES LOUPS

SAINTE-FLAIVE-DES-LOUPS

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OUCHES DU JAUNAY BODY OF WATER

MARTINET

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GARNES BODY OF WATER

NIEUL-LE-DOLENT

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✨ For the more imaginative

Experience the magic, the real one, at the Magic of the Santons with the family! This unusual place also opens its doors in July and August. Here, meet more than 700 santons in 8 lively little villages. From December to January, your visit to Vendée takes on another dimension with little characters that you probably already know: Playmobil! Yes, an exhibition is dedicated to them for the end-of-year celebrations. Enough to put a sparkle in the eyes of young and old alike!

📆 Save the date: all our activities to experience with children

• Easter egg hunts all over Vendée for Easter! Discover our selection here.
• The show “Pirates”, April 27 at Achards
• The big day “Champerché”, on May 11, with a market of artisans, creators and producers, as well as circus entertainment all day long.
• Nature outings “The Jaunay'Scapades”, every Wednesday in July-August on the banks of Lac du Jaunay
• The Estiv'arts, with nearly 30 creative workshops during the summer to introduce you to art in all its forms: pyrography, leatherwork, floral art, etc. 
• The Winter, from October to April, with two shows dedicated to the little ones on October 11 and 12, 2025. During this October weekend, The Chatbaret also offers shows for teens.
• Library network events, with free activities for younger children every month (crafts, board games, stories, etc.). 
• The Beaulieu-sous-la-Roche art school, and its watercolor, macramé, creative journal, and modeling activities with JJimagine. 

The Jaunay' Scapades

The Estiv' Arts

The cultural season

Le Chatbaret Theater

Meeting of libraries

Beaulieu Art Village

😍 Activities to do with the family in Vendée

Whether you're planning a day out with family, friends, or your partner, the Vendée region is brimming with activities and places to discover. Here's a selection of the best outings not to be missed. Follow the guide!

Around Talmont-Saint-Hilaire

• Talmont Castle : Dive into history with guided tours, treasure hunts, bird of prey demonstrations, medieval workshops and an egg hunt in April.

• The Vendée Aquarium : Discover the seabed and watch the fish being fed. (Tickets available at the Tourist Office).

• The Adventurers' Castle : A fun adventure with the “Pirate’s Treasure” treasure hunt and an egg hunt in April. (Tickets available at the Tourist Office).

• O'Fun Park & O'Gliss Park : A leisure park with treetop adventures and a variety of games, and a huge water park in Vendée. (Tickets available at the Tourist Office).

• The Madness of Finfarin (Poiroux): Discover the fascinating world of bees with activities, honey production and tastings.

Around Les Sables-d'Olonne

• The Zoo des Sables : A Vendée zoological park committed to species conservation.

• Les Salines : Take a boat trip through the heart of the salt marshes and discover the salt worker's trade.

• Mecamax : The largest kart and quad complex, accessible from 2 years old.

• Sablotins Park : An indoor and outdoor play area for children aged 0 to 14.

• Walk along the Embankment along the beach and discover Penotte Island : A neighborhood adorned with shell frescoes, created by "La Dame aux Coquillages." A gourmet break with an ice cream, a crepe, or some chichis facing the sea is the perfect way to end your walk in Vendée on a good note.

Around Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie

• Dunes Park : More than 40 attractions for young and old.

• Canoeing Vendée (Lac du Jaunay, Landevieille): Peaceful walks on the water.

• Fishing Stopover : An immersion in the world of fishermen with demonstrations and workshops.

• Moulin des Gourmands : Discover how a windmill still works.

• Velorail : An unusual ride on a handcar on an old railway line.

Around La Roche-sur-Yon

• Apremont Castle : A must-see visit in Vendée for history lovers.

• The Extraordinary Vegetable Garden : A garden with activities, egg hunt and discovery of biodiversity.Tickets available at the Tourist Office).

• The Animals of Place Napoléon : Free entertainment where children can animate mechanical sculptures.

• Haras de la Vendée : Equestrian shows, guided tours and educational workshops.

A day at Puy du Fou

Immerse yourself in one of the most beautiful theme parks in the world: Puy du Fou! Between breathtaking shows, historic villages and immersive activities, a day at Puy du Fou is an experience not to be missed during your vacation in Vendée.

A day on the Isle of Yeu by bike with the family

Discover this paradise island by bike! From wild beaches to picturesque villages, the Île d'Yeu offers a unique and natural setting for an unforgettable day. Don't miss the Port de la Meule, the Vieux-Château, and the island's many secret coves. Which beach will you fall for?!

A day in the Marais Poitevin with the children

Dubbed the "Green Venice"The Marais Poitevin is perfect for a boat trip through the unspoiled nature of Vendée. Peaceful canals, rich wildlife, and picturesque villages: in short, an experience not to be missed!

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