Museums · Vendée
1 Historial de la Vendée
The Historial de la Vendée is a museum retracing the history of the Vendée, from Prehistory to the early twenty-first century.
View full page →What to see in Vendée in 3 days
Vendée combines beaches, islands, marshes, castles and theme parks. The island of Noirmoutier, the Île d'Yeu, the Marais Poitevin and the Puy du Fou are the département's landmarks.
This itinerary spreads the best-rated sites in the catalogue over three days.
Our day-by-day itinerary
The map shows the numbered stops in visiting order, with one colour per day. The line follows the roads where available; otherwise it joins the stops as the crow flies. Distances and times are approximate (by car, without traffic).
Day 1 — Historial de la Vendée to Parc Floral de la Court d’Aron
This day brings together 6 sites close to each other: museums, castles and tourist trains. Allow half an hour to an hour and a half per site, plus travel time.
Castles · Vendée
2 Château de Tiffauges
The most imposing medieval ruin in the whole Vendée, listed as a Historic Monument since 1957.
View full page →
Tourist trains · Vendée
3 Chemin de fer de la Vendée
The Vendée tourist railway is a tourist and heritage railway that has, since 1992, contributed to safeguarding the railway heritage of the Vendée.
View full page →
Theme parks · Vendée
4 LE Grand Parc du Puy du Fou
Voted "Best Park in the World" in Los Angeles, the Puy du Fou celebrates the 25th anniversary of the Grand Parc with a firework of novelties to discover exclusively in 2013!
View full page →
Villages · Vendée
5 Vouvant
Standing on a promontory overlooking a meander of the Mère, about twenty kilometres north of Fontenay-le-Comte, this peaceful Vendée town keeps part of its old ramparts.
View full page →
Gardens · Vendée
6 Parc Floral de la Court d’Aron
15 minutes from the most beautiful beaches of the Vendée, on the D949, between Luçon and Les Sables-d'Olonne, the Floral and Tropical Park invites you on a true World Tour of exotic botanical heritage.
View full page →Day 2 — Vieux-château de l'ile d'Yeu to Folie de Finfarine
This day brings together 3 sites close to each other: castles, gardens and museums. Allow half an hour to an hour and a half per site, plus travel time.
Castles · Vendée
7 Vieux-château de l'ile d'Yeu
In the heart of the wild coast, perched on a rocky islet, the Vieux Château stands at the centre of a chaotic and tormented landscape.
View full page →
Gardens · Vendée
8 Potager Extraordinaire
The Potager Extraordinaire promises a journey to wonderland. Set off to discover the magic of cucurbits and unusual plants.
View full page →
Museums · Vendée
9 Folie de Finfarine
As a family, step into the Giant Hive (an interactive museum on the life of bees). During the Honey and Bees activity, take part in opening a hive and making honey.
View full page →Day 3 — La Pierre tremblante to Aquarium de Vendée
This day brings together 3 sites close to each other: natural wonders, museums and aquariums. It passes through Les Sables-d'Olonne. Allow half an hour to an hour and a half per site, plus travel time.
Natural wonders · Vendée
10 La Pierre tremblante
South-east of the Port de la Meule, you will discover the Pierre Tremblante: this enormous rock, which looks like a petrified giant rat, seems to taunt the precipice.
View full page →
Museums · Les Sables-d'Olonne
11 Museum du Coquillage
Dream, escape, emotion: tropical shells from all over the world displayed in showcases. Marvels and masterpieces of nature.
View full page →
Aquariums · Vendée
12 Aquarium de Vendée
The Vendée aquarium is a human-sized aquarium at Talmont-Saint-Hilaire, offering a fantastic visit into the heart of marine life. 500 species await through 3 worlds representing the 4 corners of the marine world.
View full page →When to go
From May to September the weather is more favourable for beaches and islands. Summer is very busy. Spring and autumn are calmer.
Getting around
A car is practical for linking the sites. For the islands, you need a boat or, for Noirmoutier, a bridge or the Gois causeway depending on the tides. Cycling is ideal on the coast.
Our tips
- Check tide times for the Gois causeway.
- Pack a waterproof layer.
- Book theme parks in advance in summer.
- Rent a bike to explore the islands.
If you have more time
Zoos & wildlife parks · Vendée
Zoo des Sables d’Olonne
A green oasis by the sea, the Zoo des Sables invites you to travel through the animal world.
Castles · Vendée
Château de Pouzauges
Overlooking the town, the château de Pouzauges is dominated by its majestic twelfth-century keep. Listed as a historic monument, it is notably marked by the presence of the wife of the famous Gilles de Rais: Catherine de Thouars.
Castles · Vendée
Château de Sainte-Hermine
In the very heart of the town centre stands the château de Sainte-Hermine.
Beaches · Vendée
Plage des Dames (Noirmoutier)
A small sand beach in the Bois de la Chaise, on Noirmoutier, with its coloured cabins and its jetty.
Castles · Vendée
Château de Talmont
Set on a rock and originally surrounded by water, the feudal fortress of Talmont was raised in the eleventh century by William the Bald to defend the Poitou coasts against Norman invasions.
Castles · Vendée
Château de Terre-Neuve
This private castle, inhabited all year round, is classified as a Historic Monument. It was built in 1580 by Nicolas Rapin, Grand Provost of the Constabulary of France and companion of King Henry IV.
More itineraries
What to see in the Ardèche in 3 daysWhat to see in the Dordogne (Périgord) in 3 daysWhat to see in Corsica in 5 daysWhat to see in Alsace in 3 daysWhat to see in Finistère in 3 daysWhat to see in Vaucluse and the Luberon in 3 daysWhat to see in the Hautes-Pyrénées in 3 daysWhat to see in the Lot in 3 daysWhat to see in Haute-Savoie in 3 daysWhat to see in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence in 3 daysAll itineraries →