A wonderful location on the 'Cote de Lumiere', Le Littoral is a lively site in a tranquil setting

Those who know France like to keep the Vendée something of a secret. The connoisseur's choice, this is a land of pretty, traditional seaside towns, beguiling off-shore islands and softly undulating farmland.

Le Littoral is one of the most popular sites in the region, with a good range of entertainment to keep you busy day and night. Of course, you can chose to do nothing but enjoy a meal or two in e modern, well-respected restaurant, or simply stretch out on your terrace, and enjoy a drink and a good book.

You might, eventually, be tempted to try one of the four pools, but only in your own time, of course. Well placed to explore this family-friendly stretch of the coast, there is a path from the park that gives you direct access to a rocky cove where you can enjoy pleasant walks. Golf enthusiasts can even walk along the sea shore to the superb golf club at Port Bourgenay.

Le Littoral is a good choice for those who enjoy quality time on a well-tended, modern park, yet appreciate easy day trips to vibrant towns, good beaches and interesting historical sites. The nearest sandy beach is just a short drive away at Plage de Veillon. No wonder fans of the Vendee keep their secret close to their chests.

 

 

Some facilities are mid-summer only and some are payable

Restaurant:

Modern clean and spacious with an outdoor terrace. Good food at reasonable prices
Take-away meals

Bar:  Suitable for families

Shopping: Basic selection

Swimming Pool:

Life guard in July and August. Sun terrace, Sun loungers available. Numerous slides
First Outdoor Pool: Heated plunge pool
Second Outdoor Pool: Heated pool for toddlers only
Third Outdoor Pool: Heated pool for all the family
Fourth Pool: Indoors for all the family, with a jacuzzi

Activities:

Basketball
Cycle Hire
Table Tennis
Tennis
Organised Excursions
Football

Other services:

Washing machines
Clothes dryer
Internet access available

 

Le Littoral is located on the beautiful 'Côte de Lumière', a luminous stretch of pretty coastline indeed. Where the French come to holiday, this coast is awash with holiday options and lively excursions. The nearest sandy beach is just a short drive away at Plage de Veillon. The village of Port Bourgenay is a delightful spot, with a huddle of traditional seafood restaurants next to the marina. Les Sables d'Olonne, a famous west coast resort just 10 minutes drive away is a typically French, typically sporty and stylish seaside town. Its venerable Zoo is a sure-fire hit with children while, at Chateau de Talmont, medieval demonstrations recreate the once-mighty role this fortress played in the defence of the region. The best local market is at St Jean-de-Monts on Saturdays. Stock up here on the Vendee's wonderful brioche, goat's cheese and poultry. And the rose wines are superb, too.

Activities

Boat trips: 8 km
Golf course: 2 km
Horse riding: 12 km
Karting: 6km
Tennis: 8 km

Shopping

Nearest town: 8 km
Nearest bank: 5 km
Nearest pharmacy: 6 km
Nearest supermarket: 6 km
Nearest Post office: 7 km

Towns to visit

La Rochelle: 80km
Nantes: 96km
La Tranche: 30km
Les Sables d’Olonne: 8km
Menhirs de Avrille: 11km
Ile de Noirmoutier: 77km
Jard sur Mer: 14km
Lucon: 36km
Green Venice: 36km
Niort: 100km
St Gilles Croix de Vie: 41km

Attractions

Zoo des Sables D'Olonne Only a short distance from the enormous Atlantic beaches, the zoo at Les Sables d'Olonne is the home to hundreds of animals living in a luxurious setting. Animals include penguins, monkeys, otters, lions, tigers and pandas.

 

Musée d'Automobile

Vintage car museum

Chateau de Talmont

Located on a rock, surrounded by water, the fortress of Talmont played an important part in the defence of Poitou against the invading Normans. Years later, several kings of France were made welcome along with Richard the Lion Heart during the crusade years. Nowadays you can attend medieval demonstrations during the festival period.

Oceanile

This huge waterpark in the heart of Noirmoutier has more than 20 aquatic amusements. With slides and waves there is plenty to ensure that the whole family is entertained.

L'Aventure Historique

Games and activities in the Chateau grounds

Sealand Aquarium

A good aquarium with an excellent selection of fish from around the world including warm and cold water fish plus a number of tropical aquariums

Aquarium La Rochelle

Large aquarium with fish from around the world. An array of different viewing methods from tanks and torch pools to panoramic tunnels.

Le Grand Parc

A reconstruction of an 18th century village with villagers in costume. The ruins of a 13th century chateau where you can watch a fabulous falconry display or see the Vikings at war. You can spend hours wandering the grounds and gardens. The evening show is an incredible open-air night show with 850 people and 50 horsemen.

Haras National de la Roche sur Yon

Built in 1843 in the heart of the city, Le Haras extends over 5 acres. With 65 horses ranging from thoroughbreds through to trotting ponies, all aspects of horsecraft are on show

Le Mémorial de Vendée

This war memorial is set in peaceful and beautiful gardens and celebrates the lives of the men lost in the world wars.

Planéte Sauvage

Animal Safari park where you can discover more than 2000 animals by car as you drive through over 100 hectares of park.

Local Events

If you like music it's worth visiting the world music Festival at Vivonne, where musicians from around the world take part in this annual festival of world folk music, from 13th to 16th May. Also the jazzellerault Festival at Charellerault, from 20th to 29th May, or the free jazz and blues concerts of the Rendez-vous de L'Erdre in Nantes, 26th to 28th Aug.

Mogettes or lingots (haricot beans) are a speciality of the region and are traditionally served on lightly grilled bread with cured ham. Locally produced poultry: chicken and duck as well as guinea-fowl and quail also all feature on menus in the Vendée. Cheese in the area is normally goat’s cheese and for the sweet-toothed there is quite a choice of desserts. The Vendée is known for its light fluffy loaves of brioche (a sweet bread with a dash of rum or orange flavoured water), flan maraichin (pastry case with egg custard) and tourteau au fromage (a black domed cheesecake made from goat’s cheese). The best Vendéen wine comes from the area around Mareuil-sur-Lay, with red, white and rosé all available.

The best local market is at St Jean-de-Monts on Saturdays. Other markets are as follows: town days St Gilles-Croix-de-Vie Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays; St Jean-de-Monts Wednesdays and Sundays (food only); Les Sables d’Olonne Wednesdays and Sundays; St Hilaire-de-Riez Thursdays and Sundays Sion-sur-l’Océan Fridays and Sundays

Les Sables d’Olonne is a large modern seaside resort with a magnificent long sandy beach and narrow cobbled streets packed with colourful restaurants and shops and numerous cafés along the seafront. It also has a particularly lively evening life.

Regional airports at Nantes, La Rochelle and Bordeaux make fly drive an easy option. Alternatively, ferries to St Malo, Caen, Cherbourg and Roscoff are available.

Airports

La Rochelle 92km
Nantes 108km
Poitiers 184km

Ferry port

Caen 402km
Calais 674km
St Malo 289km
Roscoff 426km
Cherbourg 451km