Local Attractions & Activities
With so much to do in the Vendée you'll be spoilt for choice. Here are some top picks of what's on locally. Keep checking as we'll be adding to the list all the time.
Theme &
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Places to visit
» St Gilles Croix-de-Vie |
Other fun things to do
» Cinéma Sports
» Golf |
» See this month's Top 5 list, for our choice picks....
Sports
Golf
For all you budding (or qualified!) pros, there are two excellent courses within easy reach of Le Pas Opton.
» Les Fontenelles to the North is the closest and also has a spa.
» St Jean de Monts is a little further away, to the South.
» If you're interested in a golfing holiday at Le Pas Opton, why not check out the LPO Golf Tournament.
Watersports
With its Atlantic coastline and inland waterways, the Vendée is well-suited to a range of watersports.
» Go sailing, windsurfing, bodyboarding or even have a surfing lesson at l'école de surf in St Gilles
Theme and Adventure Parks
Puy du Fou
The Grand Parc is a theme park like no other. One of the most famous French theme parks, Puy du Fou's attractions are shows, each telling a different historical story in full theatrical glory.
Watch 'The Vikings' as a full size Viking longboat emerges from underwater and a saint walks across it. Cheer as Roman gladiators do deathly battle in a full-size amphitheatre.
» Find out about Puy de Fou and the Grand Parc
Cinéscenie
Cinéscenie is the park's most famous night-time attraction and is an absolute extravaganza!
Using a cast of over 3,000 people, they portray the story of a Vendéen family through the generations - from the time of the French revolution, to the present day.
This spectacle defines the phrase 'son et lumière' with its dazzling display of lazers, lights and special effects.
You'll be amazed by the performing animals, fireworks and the sheer scale of this performance - its an experience not to be missed.
Futuroscope
Parc du Futuroscope, is a theme park based on multimedia and audio-visual experiences.
It has several 3D cinemas and a brand new 4D experience from renowned French film director, Luc Besson. Most attractions are available with English translation headsets.
The park includes 25 attractions that bring you a fun, new way of exploring the world. One of the main attractions involves a spectacular magic and illusion show, accompanied with a music and light show for added entertainment.
Futuroscope provides not just an exhilarating family experience, but a thought provoking learning process ensuring the whole family will leave astounded.
Indian Forest
Indian Forest is a tree-top adventure for those of you little monkeys that want to 'go ape'!
Indian Forest claim they are the largest adventure park in France - its certainly the tallest! A combination of combat nets, rope ladders, thin wooden bridges and swings provide the connection between trees. This theme park, although not for the faint of heart, is a thoroughly enjoyable day out, and there's something for all the family, with specially equipped children's play areas.
Océanille Waterpark, Noirmoutier
Located on Noirmoutier island, this large park offers over 20 amusements, with plenty of slides, waterfalls, wave pools and toboggans to excite you.
Splash around or enjoy a cool drink on the sun terrace - an ideal family summer's day out.
» Oceanile
Atlantique Toboggan
Just a short drive away, at St Hilaire de Riez, this water park is filled with different pools and slides that will excite both young and old.
If you fancy being on the water (rather than in it) then you can hire a pedalo, or enjoy a round of mini-golf. With its own picnic area, you can even bring your own lunch!
Places to visit
St Gilles Croix de Ville
This beautiful little seaside town is only 5km from Le Pas Opton. Straddling the mouth of the river Vie, the traditional parishes of St Hilaire and St Gilles, grew together to form this quaint and friendly place.
Wander through its rustic streets and sample the delights of its shops and restaurants. There's a daytime market twice a week and in the summer, in the evening too. At the height of the season, its a vibrant, bustling place that attracts tourists and locals alike - not just for the great food and souvenirs on offer - but for the Grande Plage ('big beach') too.
The Grand Plage, stretches out for miles in each direction, its acres of sand inviting long walks, sand castles, sun loungers and a variety or beach and sea sports.
Its train station is connected to the high-speed TGV network at Nantes, making this a very accessible town. There's are two large supermarkets, en route to the holiday park, ensuring you have everything you need, within easy reach.
» St Gilles Croix-de-Vie
» Official website (in French)
Ile de Noirmoutier
The name of this Vendéen isle means 'flower of the sea'. Connected to the mainland by a tidal causeway, the isle is inhabited by several ancient communes.
Within easy reach of Le Pas Opton, a day trip to this pretty area with its distinct heritage will give you the opportunity to try out local gastronomic specialities, such as pancakes or potatoes, wander through quaint markets, explore the rich natural beauty and wildlife or get active on the water - sail, surf or ski!
Île d'Yeu
A short boat trip from St Gilles, the historic Île d'Yeu is an idyllic, sandy island. It boasts Neolithic stone carvings and megalithic menhir (remember Obelix) and it also suffered Viking raids.
The island has been home to monks since the 7th century, who originally named the island Ile Dieu (God's island).
Characterised by long, sandy beaches, embracing coves and 'bocage' countryside the island is a delight to explore, on foot or perhaps by renting a bike or scooter.
Its two main harbours are famous for catching tuna and crayfish, so its a great place to sit down and enjoy freshly caught seafood. Take a walk, hire a bike, browse through the shops - its a great day out for all the family.
Clisson
Set upon the banks of the Sévre Nantaise rive, on the northmost border of the Vendée.
The architecture is typical of a French Renaissance town: The cobbled streets and flights of steps give the settlement a charming personality that provides a truly magical day of exploration.
Friday and Saturday are the best days to go, as the busy market and shops are always open for wondering tourists. The tourist office offers tours of the town as well as local vineyards (in English if requested).
Nantes
The sixth largest city in France and capital of the Pays de la Loire region, Nantes is located on the Loire river.
Formerly the seat of the Bréton parliament and once the French slave trade capital, the city is a hub of history and heritage.
Seat of the Dukes of Brittany, its Castle is now a museum, so you can tour its battlements and learn about pre-revolution France. Close by is the magnificent 15the century cathedral, a towering architectural achievement that took over 450 years to complete!
You can take a leisurely trip down the river Loire and enjoy the city from a different perspective.
Under an hour's drive from Le Pas Opton, the city has good transport links, the railway station services both TGV and local connections and the airport (Loire Atlantique) offers routes to many main European cities.
» Nantes
La Rochelle
Two hours drive from Le Pas Opton, La Rochelle has been one of the most significant ports in all of France's history.
This ancient port town has retained its medieval architecture and even when busy, doesn’t feel crowded.
» Find out more about this city, on our blog
Salt Marshes
Around Les Sables d'Olonne and Noirmoutier, take a rare opportunity to see the fascinating salt marshes.
Enjoy a guided boat trip through the marshes, see traditional salt production and fabulous wild-life.
Zoo des Sables d'Olonne
More like a safari and conservation park than a traditional zoo, the park is a haven for endangered species.
You'll find the animals in spacious enclosures, re-creating their natural environments.
Spend time watching and learning about exotic animals including lions, tigers, jaguars, penguins, rare red pandas and many more - an amazing opportunity to get in touch with God's amazing creation!
Parc de Dunes
Just a short journey from Le Pas Opton, Parc de dunes is an adventure park that guarantees hours of family fun.
With over 40 attractions paced into 3 hectares there is plenty to keep the little ones (and big kids!) occupied.
The park consists of a mixture of steep water slides and exciting inflatables which aren't for the faint hearted! Alternatively bouncy castles and other attractions are specially designed for smaller children and those not brave enough to tackle the scarier rides!
Planete Sauvage
Meaning literally, "Savage Planet," this amazing safari park is one of the top attractions in the Vendée .
Under an hour's drive from Le Pas Opton, near Nantes, swap your shades for a pith helmet and get exploring!
Drive over 10km through the 'Piste Safari' and experience over 2000 animals from over 5 continents, wandering freely.
See zebras, tigers and giraffes, among the many others. Visit the marine centre and watch the spectacular seals and dolphins perform, peek at the snakes and lizards in the reptile centre, pet the animals in the miniature farm - even get your faces painted like your favourite animal!
Océarium du Croisic
A couple of hours drive from Le Pas Opton, this testament to all things aquatic is well worth the journey.
There's marine life from every ocean - learn their names, feeding patterns and habitats. Walk through the underwater tunnel and get up close to the swimming sharks, watch the penguins being fed and touch the rays in their own special pool.
Other fun things to do
Cinema
Tired from a few days activity and fancy chilling out in front of a movie? Then check out the listings in the local cinema in St Gilles.
Don't worry if your French isn't fluent, many international films are shown in English with French subtitles.
Ancien Chateau, Commequiers
Velo-Rail, Commequiers
A fun experience for all ages - take a 10km ride through the countryside on a quirky pedal-driven rail cart along the former railway lines.
An unique experience - it's apparently better to set out in the morning, since there is only a single track, and returning pedallers get priority whilst outbound pedallers have to lift their cart off the rails! (Don't worry, its very manageable!)
Vineyard and restaurant
Take a morning trip to a vineyard in the nearby Muscadet or Anjou regions, less than an hour away by coach.
See how the wine is made and stored. Ask questions of the people who harvest the grapes and make the wines. Then, of course, you could always sample the products.
Afterwards take a short trip in the coach to a local restaurant for a leisurely lunch followed by an afternoon visit to a local village or chateau.
