letsaway

On the Atlantic coast, the southern part of France begins in the Vendée. The Department is sunnier than the Mediterranean coast. Annual sunshine ranges between 2,400 and 2,600 hours, a total which has earned the area the name "Sunshine Coast". Early and late visitors therefore, are well catered for by the long summer season to savour a less crowded taste of the countryside and seaside of this much loved area of France, while participating in the abundance of activities such as vineyard visits, walking, cycling, golf, horse-riding, surfing or fishing.

To the north of the area is St Jean de Monts a modern seaside resort backed by the Marais Breton, and Noirmoutier where sea salt is evaporated by the heat of the suns’ rays.

Further south is the port of St Gilles Croix de Vie, straddling the mouth of the river Vie, where sardine fishing boats and leisure boats intermingle. It is a town maintaining traditions, where fishing nets are spread on the quayside for mending, and open air markets offer local produce from melons to wine, or the many locally caught "fruits de mer". 4 miles south of St Gilles Croix de Vie is the small town of Brétignolles Sur Mer. This resort, along its 10 miles coast, offers a great diversity of shores, from creeks set within rocks, to large, sandy beaches, which are monitored during the summertime by lifeguards.

From north to south the beaches are La Sauzaie beach, a quiet, family beach, the favourite meeting place of shrimp and crab catchers. It is located close to the "wild coast" where long walks may be enjoyed along the picturesque shore; "La Paree beach offers a natural swimming pool at low tide, as well as clubs and swimming schools for children; "Normandeliere" beach - offers a natural harbour sheltered by rocks for sailing boats and dinghies; "Les Dunes" beach continues southwards stretching its sandy shores over several miles towards Les Sables d'Olonne. The town of Les Sables d'Olonne, seaside resort, fishing, yachting and commercial port and sub-prefecture of Vendée, offers a variety of attractions encompassing casinos, discos, horse-racing, golf, as well as zoological gardens and regional museums.

8 miles inland of St Gilles Croix de Vie, Coéx is well placed for exploring the region. A small town of 2,500 inhabitants, its shops, cafe-bars and restaurants cater for most daily needs. The nationally acclaimed botanical gardens are well worth a visit and also provide a children's play area. Horse riding and the 18-hole golf course "Golf des Fontenelles" are available only 3 miles from Coéx centre, while for walkers and cyclists there are numerous well sign posted routes along country lanes and bridleways where the only traffic is most likely to be a farm tractor. There are also many dedicated cycle paths across the whole of the region.

The nearby lakes of Apremont and Jaunay offer facilities for bathing, fishing, sailing, windsurfing, picnics and country walks. As well as the lake, with its sandy beach, Apremont village boasts a partly-restored chateau. During the summer months, the observation room at the top of the nearby water tower offers a breathtaking panorama. The region resisted the French Revolution of 1793 and there are many reminders of this period when many Vendéens lost their lives.

Roche Sur Yon was designated the Departmental capital by Napoleon and many of the public buildings date from that period. It remains the Vendéen capital, and has a partly pedestrianised shopping area, as well as edge of town shopping. In summary, the Atlantic Vendée has much to commend it for the holidaymaker, not least its easy access to the Channel ports.