Are you wondering what to do in Vendée? In the Land of Pickles, it's impossible to get bored! There are many leisure activities that can be enjoyed alone, in family or with friends. Sports and outdoor, cultural or fun, discover here many ideas for your free time. Because in the Land of Achards, “leisure” always rhymes with “pleasure”!
Go directly to the section that inspires you and discover all of our ideas for activities and outings in Vendée!
- Sports and outdoor activities in Vendée
- Fun and digital activities in Vendée
- Cultural activities in the Pays des Achards
- Relaxation and well-being activities in Vendée
- The Pays des Achards, the perfect springboard for your activities in Vendée
- FAQ – Activities and Leisure in Vendée
- Discover our activities by municipality
Sports and outdoor activities in Vendée
With 26 labeled hiking trails, 3 cycle paths et 8 Geocaching routes, the Land of Achards is a nature destination par excellence in Vendée. Furthermore, many sporting events are organized throughout the year thanks to the involvement of local associations.
Several activities are concentrated around the Jaunay Lake, natural area of the territory:
- This place is ideal for lovers of fishing, with dedicated spots. The running enthusiasts appreciates it a lot for its routes adapted to running
- Take a walk with a donkey from the donkey farm At the Donkey Tour (kids love it!) or
- Opt for a water walk, by canoe or pedal boat, depending on your wishes.
A few kilometers away, the educational farm The Z’Animaux Vegetable Garden, offers free or guided tours. An activity where young and old can even care for animals while discovering the world of gardening.
For horse riding enthusiasts, the Pays des Achards also offers various equestrian activities, ranging from leisurely walks in the countryside to courses for beginners and advanced learners.
Not far from there, discover the route of Disc golf around the Bibrou lake. This unique sport, a mix of frisbee and golf, is perfect for a friendly outing. Depending on your level, you can approach this activity as a fun walk or as a sport in its own right.
Finally, the Great Challenge, located in Saint-Julien-des-Landes, is an unmissable outing for thrill seekers. This nature leisure park is home to the largest treetop adventure course in the world, with over 40 treetop trails amidst majestic century-old oaks. In addition to this flagship activity, visitors can enjoy a multitude of options: paintball, galactic laser, pony rides, orienteering course and, big news, a water park to have fun on the water!
The natural setting of Pays des Achards promises memorable moments for everyone!
Fun and digital activities in Vendée
Alors que le Geocaching encourages players to seek out physical caches hidden in nature, the Adventure Lab® works as an interactive multimedia game with virtual hiding places. The course “ If La Mothe were told to me » evokes the historical heritage of Achards while « The little path of fires » in Martinet lets you discover sculptures made for the Saint-Jean festivals celebrated each year in the town. These activities offer many family outing ideas, allowing children to learn about local history while having fun outdoors.
The digital journey Legendr at Girouard is a free immersive experience that combines technology and legends, for an original discovery of local heritage. Legendr transforms your walk into a real journey through time in the heart of the Pays des Achards.
An activity idea for the whole family, where young and old can explore heritage and traditions in a fun and interactive way.
For escape game lovers and puzzle solving, The post aux Achards is worth stopping by. The inspectors of the Post offer you 3 police investigations. Unlike other escape game establishments, this young team focuses on complete immersion in the game and a very close bond between players and game master. A rich and new experience, even for those used to "escape games" and suitable for children from 10 years old!
Cultural activities in the Pays des Achards
On the arts and traditions side, the Magic of the Santons in Beaulieu-sous-la-Roche is a unique museum in Vendée. With 700 authentic Provencal santons. The small figurines have been installed in 8 miniature villages animated by a sound and light scenographic route. The visit is magical and perfect for families, especially at Christmas!
Throughout the year, The Pays des Achards offers a rich and cultural program : exhibitions, shows, creative workshops, visits to producers or one-off events. Check out our online agenda or subscribe to our monthly newsletter so you don't miss a thing!
Relaxation and well-being activities in Vendée
Want to relax and take care of yourself? Le Pays des Achards offers several options for a well-being break. Take advantage of spas, saunas and relaxation areas quality to recharge your batteries in a peaceful setting.
Treat yourself to a moment of relaxation with a massage or a personalized treatment session. You can also practice yoga or meditation in the heart of the Sainte-Flaive-des-Loups forest to find calm and serenity.
Here, everything is designed to allow you to slow down and reconnect with what is essential.
The Pays des Achards, the perfect springboard for your activities in Vendée
Located halfway between Les Sables d'Olonne et La Roche-sur-Yon, the Pays des Achards is the ideal base for exploring the whole Vendée. By staying with us, you benefit from a strategic location which allows you to set off to discover the must-see places: the Puy du Fou, Yeu Island, Noirmoutier Island or Marais Poitevin.
The Pays des Achards Tourist Office will make it easier to organize your day Puy du Fou or to the island of Yeu with preferential rates.
Just 15 minutes from the Sables d'Olonne and La Roche-sur-Yon, you enjoy an authentic setting, a little further inland but very close to the sea. Perfect for family holidays and adventures for young and old!
If you are still wondering what to do in Vendée for your holidays, you can always contact us. Our team will help you select activities and leisure activities according to your needs for your stay in Vendée.
FAQ – Activities and Leisure in Vendée
What activities and outings can I do in Vendée?
The Vendée offers a multitude of activities for all tastes and ages. You can practice water sports on the beaches of Sables d'Olonne ou St-Jean-de-Monts, go on a hike or running on our marked trails and around the Jaunay Lake, do a excursion in the marshes or cultural visits such as the Puy du Fou or the castles of Talmont-Saint-Hilaire or Apremont. For adrenaline lovers, the nature leisure park The Grand Défi promises you family adventure! You will find on this page many ideas for a successful vacation or here for a family vacation.
Where can I find a practical guide to organizing my family vacation in Vendée?
Our pages 'ideas for activities with children", "activities in Vendée'and'family activities' are fully dedicated to leisure activities in Vendée to best organize your stay. We also list on our page 'visit the Vendée' ideas for activities and family visits such as Puy du Fou, Ile d'Yeu and Ile de Noirmoutier, the salt marshes and Poitevin marshes, in La Roche-sur-Yon, Les Sables d'Olonne, Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie and Saint Jean de Monts. These suggestions help you organize your vacation and make the most of every moment.
What water activities can I do in Vendée?
Water sports enthusiasts will find what they are looking for along the beaches of Les Sables d'Olonne and in the coastal areas of Vendée such as Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie, La Tranche-sur-Mer and Saint-Jean-de-Monts. Surfing, paddle boarding, sailing… these activities offer you thrills and are ideal for enhancing your vacation with family or friends. To find out about our water activities, do not hesitate to consult our dedicated section.
What are the best sites and parks to visit in Vendée?
Vendée seduces with its diversity of landscaped sites and tourist attractions, perfect for family outings or holidays full of discoveries. Here are some must-sees to explore:
Landscaped sites :
• The Island of Yeu and the Island of Noirmoutier : Enjoy charming island getaways with unspoiled landscapes and idyllic beaches.
• The Marais Poitevin : Set off to explore this labyrinth of canals and greenery, perfect for boat trips, with or without a guide.
• The Payré Estuary in Jard-sur-Mer : Just 35 minutes from Les Achards, this magnificent site offers magnificent and unique panoramas of the Ocean. We invite you to relax on Veillon beach or to taste oysters in the smallest oyster village in France: La Guittière.
• The beaches of Les Sables d'Olonne and the salt marshes of the Île d'Olonne: Just 15 minutes from home, these places allow you to combine seaside relaxation and discovery of exceptional natural environments.
• The Forest of Mervent and The Chaos of Piquet: Ideal for hiking enthusiasts in the heart of incredible nature.
Parks and attractions :
• The Puy du Fou : Immerse yourself in grandiose historical spectacles at this legendary amusement park.
• The Grand Défi : The largest treetop adventure park in the world, which promises thrills in the heart of a forest of century-old oaks.
• O'Gliss Park : The largest water park in the region, perfect for a refreshing day out with the family, even with young children.
• Other must-see attractions : the Zoo of Sables d'Olonne, Vendée Aquarium, the Adventurers' Castle, Finfarine's Folly, the Talmont Castle and Apremont Castle, all located near the Pays des Achards.
This information gives you a good overview to organize your outings and take full advantage of the leisure activities offered by our territory in Vendée. You can always contact us if you want to know our good deals!
Is Vendée a suitable destination for families?
Absolutely! The Vendée is an ideal destination for family holidays. With a variety of activities suitable for all ages, there is something for everyone. You can also find on this page all our ideas for activities to do with your children.
What ideas for outdoor activities are available in Vendée?
In Vendée, outdoor activities are very diverse. Go on a hiking on marked trails, test our running spots (see here) or enjoy a fishing session in an exceptional natural setting at Jaunay Lake (details on our fishing page). The equestrian activities, a donkey ride to fun courses will also allow you to explore the Vendée in a different way.
