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

St Jean-de-Monts  The major resort on the Vendee coastline.

Location: On the D38 south of the Ile de Noirmoutier in the north of the Vendee.

General Info: Tourist office website

Description: The main resort on the west coast, the Plage des Demoiselles is splendid.  The streets leading off from the esplanade are full of small tourist shops but you have to travel further inland to reach the main town centre and market.

Our recommendations: Personally we prefer the nearby resort of Notre-Dame-de-Monts which is situated to the north of St Jean, as it is generally quieter and more family oriented.

For the children: Try visiting the Atlantic Toboggan at Les Becs nearby which has some excellent water slides and pools.

External websites offering information on the Vendee and Charente Maritime:

- Poitou Charente Vacances
- Le Charente

- Angela Bird's website on the Vendée

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