At Dolphin Gites, you may wish to stay on site and enjoy the swimming pool or just relax in the shade of your parasol enjoying a quiet read and a drink, or simply enjoy a pleasant walk in the gardens. However, the Vendee has much to offer and there are many places of interest to visit.  

The Vendée is famous for local seafood specialties including mussels, oysters, crab and sardines. You may wish to try 'moules frites'  in one of many local restaurants or simply cook Merguez and Chippolata sausages cooked on your barbecue. We have listed some of the most popular places to visit below;

Puy du Fou  

Highly recommended, but go on a day that is not too hot (it is about 1 hour's drive from Dolphin Gîtes). The Puy-du-Fou in Vendee is a superb 'Park' attraction which makes a great day out for all the family. Performances continue throughout the day and include; falconry display, jousting, magic and music shows, demonstrations of rural crafts and atmospheric reconstructions of a Norman fort, a medieval town and an 18th-century village. May to September. Well worth a visit, and it has been compared to Disneyland in Paris.

Great beaches

Some of the best beaches along the Vendée coast are at Bretignolles-sur-mer, which is only a few minutes away by car. Other great beaches include the Grand Plage at St Gilles, and the famous bow shaped beach at Les sables d'Olonne.

Rock pools 

Great crabbing along the coast at Bretignolles.

Les Sables d'Olonne  

Resort famous for its magnificent bow shaped sandy beach, great shops and night life.

St Gilles-Croix de Vie

Famous resort and fishing port. Excellent beaches,  restaurants and shops.

Apremont  

Visit the historic Château, take a boat trip along the river and past the castle, or picnic on the sandy river beach, or swim in the river.

Walking  (cycling/ rambling) 

If you like rambling, then there is a good scenic ramble around the Jaunay lake. The walk is about 7 miles and takes about 3 hours. The path around the lake  takes you through woods and fields through beautiful countryside and is well sign posted.

Cycle Paths 

Miles of new cycle paths along the coast and through the countryside. You can cycle to the beach at Bretignolles, or cycle around the Jaunay lake.

There is also an excellent cycle ride around the lake Jaunay which begins and finishes at Dolphin Gites. The ride is about 10 miles and takes about 2 hours along small lanes and dirt tracks through the countryside. Ask Howard for written directions. We have bicycles for hire (all sizes). 

Fishing

There is great fishing in the Vendée, especially in the local area. All types, including coarse fishing, sea fishing and fishing in the salt marshes.  The Vendée has the greatest length of rivers for freshwater fishing in France.

Golf

Golf de Fontenelles in the Vendée is an excellent golf course and rarely crowded even during the high season. It is easy to book and relaxed with regard to dress code. This superb 18 hole golf course is only 10 minutes' drive from Dolphin Gites. 

Tree Absailing and Tyrolean

Exciting forest adventure climbing and swinging safely from tree to tree. 

Chateau de Commequiers

Old ruin, but worth a visit.

Château de Talmont St Hilaire

French home of Richard the Lion Heart, with a range of medieval  activities for children. Definitely worth a visit with young children.

Potager Extraordinaire  

Very weird vegetable garden with giant veggies.

Velo Rail  

Good fun muscle powered train journey along a deserted railway track through un-spoilt countryside.

Jard-sur-Mer

Pretty village, 20km east of Les Sables-d'Olonne, with a picturesque harbour, lovely beaches, holiday homes set among fragrant pine woods, and some delightful walks along the cliff top and through forests.

Good Restaurants

Enjoy the "Potence" in the St. Emilienne restaurant. Tender pieces of steak on a cast iron rack flambéed in cognac served with chips. Highly recommended! There are many good restaurants at St Gilles, Bretignolles and Les Sables.

Car museum

Automobile museum  Les Sables d'Olonne.

Moulin de Gourmands

Old stone built windmill with guided demonstration of the traditional way of making flour.

Donkey Rides

Ideal for young children. 

Ile d'Yeu   

Excellent day trip to the famous and marvelous Island of Ile d'Yeu. Crossing to the island is by boat or helicopter.

Noirmoutier Island   

Exciting crossing along a causeway road at low tide.  On the island there are good restaurants, château and a butterfly reserve. Well worth a visit, but check the times of high and low tide before crossing. You can get a tide schedule from the tourist information. However, you can cross by road bridge, but the causeway is more fun.

Marais Poitevin   

Known as the Green Venice. Rowing boat tours on the canals of the magnificent Marais Poitevin.

Haras de La Roche-sur-Yon (famous stud farm)

A must for horse lovers and an unusual and interesting day. In the centre of Napoleon's Town, La Roche sur Yon, children can discover and handle ponies, watch horses being harnessed, watch dressage and jumping demonstrations, learn about horse-riding through the ages, and watch a demonstration of equestrian tradition with music to the horses' rhythm. Most of the events/activities are free.

Floral gardens in Coëx.

Quads, carting and paint ball are available in the local area.

Water sports, eg. boating and wind-surfing are very popular activities.

Tennis.

Golf des Fontenelles and other local golf courses.

Bird watching. Local bird sanctuary located in the salt marshes.

Océanile Water park with slides and wave machines.

Zoo at Les Sables d'Olonne.

Casino in St Gilles Croix de Vie

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