Charente / Vendee Beaches

For a beach holiday this area of France gives you  many options. The weather is almost as good as that of the Cote D’Azur, so a good beach holiday in the main summer season is usually assured.  The whole of the west coast from St Nazaire south to the Gironde estuary is beach almost all the way, mostly backed by pine forests.  You do need to be careful here in the water as the Atlantic breakers roll in mercilessly.  For quieter waters head round towards Royan in the Gironde estuary.

We give you our preferences to help you decide which is most suited to you:

  - La Tranche-sur-Mer       - Les Sables-d'Olonne        - St Georges-de-Didonne

  - St Gilles-Croix-de-Vie    - St Jean-de-Monts            - St Palais-sur-Mer

Les Sables-d’Olonne  Excellent for an activity and entertainment packed beach holiday

Location: Situated north of the Ile de Ré.  Take the N160 from La Roche-sur-Yon leading directly to the resort.

General Info: Tourist information website

Description: Another excellent resort with a 3km long beach, sea front cafes and the usual mix of evening entertainment.

Our recommendations: If you tire of the beach, take a boat trip to L'ile d'Yeu, a small attractive rocky island an hour from the coast – contact the tourist information office for advice.

For the children: Sand, sand and more sand!  And of course lots of different types of activities such as ten pin bowling, mini-golf, cinemas, horse riding, quad bikes…..

External websites offering information on the Vendee and Charente Maritime:

- Holidays France Atlantic Website
- Le Charente

- Angela Bird's website on the Vendée

     - Top Attractions in Charente / Vendee
     - Top ten Holiday destinations in France