Tag: Bel Campsite

Camping In The Vendee

Camping In The Vendee, Miles Of Blue Flag Beaches On Your Doorstep

If you go camping in the Vendee it’s most likely because it’s the sunniest part of France after the French Riviera with very similar levels of sunshine. It also has a wide choice of beaches, including some of the best blue flag beaches in the whole of France. There’s plenty to do and the journey involves a shorter trip than heading to the south of France. Specifically the Vendee is the strip of coastline west of the Loire Valley between South Brittany and the Pertuis Breton, a strait to the north of Ile de Re and La Rochelle.

Not surprisingly, it’s one of France’s most popular camping areas, with plenty of sites of all types. In peak periods such as early August, they will be extremely busy. Here are a few of the best camping holiday parks, as booking in advance is recommended at the peak of the holiday season:

1) La Yole

La Yole is a friendly medium sized camping park which would be ideal for a family with young children or older people without children looking for somewhere to stay out of the peak season periods. As well as a swimming pool it also has a well maintained tennis court over the road from the entrance and a restaurant that enjoys a good reputation. Some lovely sandy beaches are only a short drive away.

2) Bel Campsite, La Tranche-sur-Mer

Bel Campsite is a small campsite, probably best suited to families with small children. It is just a short walk from nearby La Tranche-sur-Mer, which comes to life during the summer season but is otherwise a rather sleepy resort. Excellent sandy beaches are nearby for indulging in windsurfing, swimming or just laying on the beach whilst your children amuse themselves.

3) La Garangeiore Campsite, St.Julien-des-Landes

La Garangeiore Campsite is a medium sized camping park with both outdoor and covered swimming pools, waterslides and plenty of other activities. Although an inland location it is still just a 15 minute drive to some superb, sandy beaches. There is also a modern restaurant and bar which overlooks the pool, plus a pub-style bar in one of the converted outbuildings of the château.

4) Camping Village De La Guyonniere, Lake Jaunay

There’s plenty of recreational activities to enjoy in Camping Village de la Guyonnière, including many sports activities, the resort’s swimming pools, a spa, and an animal sanctuary. Facilities at the resort include a restaurant, takeaway, grocery shop, and a bar, and there’s even free WiFi. The sandy, award winning beaches, resorts and fishing villages of the Vendee are less than 10 miles away.

Lake Jaunay itself is a setting where families can enjoy long walks across lush countryside, head off for a swim or a boat ride, or take to one of the many cycling routes around it, next to the camping village.

5) Camping Le Tropicana, St.Jean-de-Monts

Camping Le Tropicana is one of several large camping parks catering to tourers on the outskirts of St Jean-de-Monts. It has 59 touring pitches which do sell out quickly in high season, as in the other camping parks in this popular area. If you haven’t booked ahead, arriving as early as possible on the day is advisable. For the record, Camping Le Tropicana has heated indoor and outdoor pools. There is a waterslide, a jacuzzi and a restaurant, amongst other amenities.

Places To Go

Le Puy du Fou

Le Puy du Fou is a great family day out if you want a change from the pool and the beach or if the weather isn’t quite right for those activities. It features a multitude of spectacular shows and should be a memorable day out. Otherwise, why would it have been voted the best park in the world?

Noirmoutier

Noirmoutier is an island just to the north of St Jean-de-Monts, linked by a bridge to the mainland. Parts of the island have been reclaimed from the sea. It has some of the best, unsung family beach resorts in France and is well worth a visit, even if just for a day trip.

Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie

Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie is an attractive seaside resort and fishing harbour, with an excellent choice of traditional French restaurants if you are looking to dine out. The Grand Plage has a beautiful promenade full of shops cafes and restaurants.