Located on the Atlantic coast, the Vendée offers a unique blend of bustling seaside resorts, wild islands, verdant bocage and preserved marshes. Marked by the Vendée wars and a deeply rural culture, today it is a leading destination for seaside tourism and living history thanks to the Puy du Fou. Its endless beaches, mild climate, generous gastronomy and authentic villages make it an ideal destination for a week-long stay.
The salt marshes / Photo chosen by Monsieur de France: depositphotos
7-day stay in Vendée: full itinerary
Day 1 - Les Sables-d'Olonne, maritime capital
The port of Les Sables d'Olonne/ Photo depositphotos
Start your stay in Les Sables-d'Olonne, mythical resort of the Vendée Globe. Its large beach of blond sand, three kilometers long, is ideal for swimming and water sports. Stroll along the promenade du Remblai, discover the picturesque quartier de l'Île Penotte with its shell frescoes, and visit the musée d'art moderne de l'Abbaye Sainte-Croix. The fishing port and the halles centrales complete this maritime and gourmet immersion.
📍 Remblai, 85100 Les Sables-d'Olonne
🚆 Gare des Sables-d'Olonne (TER from Nantes)
🚗 From Nantes: 1h30 (105 km)
The Armandèche lighthouse in Les Sables d'Olonne / Photo depositphotos
Day 2 - Noirmoutier Island
Noirmoutier la plage / Photo dépositphotos
Set off to explore Noirmoutier, famous for its passage du Gois accessible at low tide. The island charms with its white villages, iconic beaches such as Bois de la Chaise and its medieval castle. The salt marshes and the pomme de terre de Noirmoutier complete the visit. A day between history, gastronomy and island landscapes.
📍 Château de Noirmoutier, 85330
🚆 Challans train station then bus to the island
🚗 Sables-d'Olonne → Noirmoutier: 2h (120 km)
Beach cabins/ Photo chosen by Monsieur de France: depositphotos
Day 3 - Saint-Jean-de-Monts and idleness
Set course for Saint-Jean-de-Monts, a resort renowned for its sandy beaches and seaside activities. Make the most of the morning for sailing or swimming. In the afternoon, make way for farniente with a stroll along the esplanade de la Mer or an excursion into the pine forest. It's the perfect stop-off to slow down the pace and savor the iodized air.
Saint Jean de Monts and its immense beach / Photo chosen by Monsieur de France: depositphotos
📍 Esplanade de la Mer, Saint-Jean-de-Monts
🚆 Challans train station (20 km, bus)
🚗 Sables-d'Olonne → Saint-Jean-de-Monts: 1h30 (100 km)
🚗 Noirmoutier → Saint-Jean-de-Monts: 35 min (32 km)
Day 4 - Le Puy du Fou
Experience an unforgettable day at Puy du Fou, voted several times best park in the world. This unique park offers grandiose shows: vikings, gladiators, mousquetaires, rapaces in flight. In the evening, the Cinéscénie brings together 2000 actors in an impressive nocturnal show. A total immersion in history, both spectacular and moving.
The Puy du Fou show is breathtaking / Photo chosen by Monsieur de France: depositphotos
📍 Le Puy du Fou, 85590 Les Epesses
🚆 Cholet train station (30 km, shuttles)
🚗 Sables-d'Olonne → Puy du Fou: 1h45 (120 km)
🚗 Saint-Jean-de-Monts → Puy du Fou: 1h45 (120 km)
Day 5 - The Marais Poitevin
Le marais poitevin / Photos chosen by Monsieur de France : [email protected] via depositphotos
Set off to discover the Marais Poitevin, nicknamed the Green Venice. Climb aboard a traditional boat at Coulon for a peaceful stroll among the ash-lined channels. This unique spot is home to exceptional biodiversity and offers bucolic scenery. It's also an opportunity to sample local specialties like goat's cheese and grilled eel.
📍 Coulon, 79510 (gateway to the Marais Poitevin)
🚆 Niort train station (15 km)
🚗 Sables-d'Olonne → Coulon: 2h (150 km)
🚗 Puy du Fou → Coulon: 1h20 (95 km)
Le marais poitevin / photo chosen by Monsieur de France via depositphotos
Day 6 - Montaigu and Clisson
Le château de Montaigu / photo chosen by Monsieur de France : By Spouik - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=21726433
Head north to explore Montaigu and Clisson. Montaigu seduces with its old castle and historic alleyways. Clisson surprises with its Italian influence, with its red-tiled roofs, loggias and medieval castle overlooking the Sèvre. This off-the-beaten-track stop adds an original cultural dimension to your 7-day Vendée stay.
📍 Château de Montaigu, 85600
🚆 Gare de Montaigu-Vendée (TER to Nantes)
🚗 Sables-d'Olonne → Montaigu: 1h30 (115 km)
🚗 Coulon → Montaigu: 1h40 (120 km)
Day 7 - Relaxation and final sunset at Les Sables
A beautiful Vendée sunset / Photo chosen by monsieurdefrance.com: depositphotos
End your stay where it began: in Sables-d'Olonne. Enjoy a morning of relaxation on the beach or a boat trip in the bay. In the afternoon, explore the downtown boutiques and treat yourself to a seafood tasting facing the ocean. Sunset on the beach rounds off this week of discoveries in the most beautiful way.
📍 Plage centrale, 85100 Les Sables-d'Olonne
🚆 Gare des Sables-d'Olonne
🚗 Montaigu → Sables-d'Olonne: 1h30 (115 km)
Where to stay in Vendée for easy access?
The ideal starting point is Les Sables-d'Olonne. From this seaside resort, you're in the heart of the département: Noirmoutier 2h, Saint-Jean-de-Monts 1h30, le Puy du Fou 1h45, le Marais Poitevin 2h, Montaigu 1h30. Les Sables offers a wide range of accommodation, varied restaurants and a lively maritime setting, making it the perfect central base for a 7-day Vendée break.
Taste and atmosphere in Vendée
The Vendée is a gourmet and convivial land. Try mogettes, served with jambon de Vendée, sweet and fragrant brioches vendéennes, and fruits de mer des Sables-d'Olonne. The vins des fiefs vendéens are the perfect accompaniment to these dishes. Add to this the bustling markets, the summer festivals and the warm atmosphere of family restaurants: the Vendée combines gastronomy, festivities and authenticity.
FAQ
When is the best time to visit the Vendée?
May to September for the sea; spring and fall for peace and quiet.
What are the must-see attractions?
Les Sables-d'Olonne, Noirmoutier, Marais Poitevin, Puy du Fou.
How do I get there from Paris?
Take the TGV to La Roche-sur-Yon or drive via the A11/A87.
Illustration photo: beach cabins on Ile d'Yeu / Photo chosen by monsieur de France : Thomaspajot via depositphotos
