If you’re a parent looking for inspiration, if you’re a grandma or grandpa looking for something to do with your grandchildren, or if you’re a super-auntie looking for fun things to do, follow us! We’ve got lots of ideas for family activities to make a trip to the beach or the forest a great time of fun and discovery! Unforgettable holiday, here’s what you can do!
01. Bring the whole gang together
All for one and one for all!
Looking for a great distraction? Normal daily life will feel a long way away when you’re in Pays de Saint Jean de Monts. It’s an ideal opportunity to share one of our best outdoor adventures. The little ones will have fun using their cunning, the older ones will enjoy working out the clues – but everyone will be involved. On your marks, get set, search!
Our fun walking trail is available in English:
🐿️ The spirit of adventure
Little heros meet big challenges
There are challenges but they can be met together! It’s a trail of discovery around the Pays de Saint Jean de Monts forest. Identify plants, look out for animal tracks, which way is North? – there’s a range of activities to help little ones better understand nature and its treasures.
| Duration: 2 hours | Distance: 5.2 km | Level of difficulty: Easy |
For more information, come and talk to us at the Tourist Office!
🍀 Nature + aventure + observation = Orientation trail!
Every good explorer should know how to find their way!
A challenge for all the family – follow the detailed map to find each of the markers on the orientation trail!
🏃♀️ La Parée Jésus
| Level | Difficult |
| Starting Point | Rue de la Parée Jésus, Saint Jean de Monts |
| Distance | 2.5 km |
| Duration | 2h |
| Markers | 42 wooden marker posts |
🧜♀️ Les Sirènes – Mistery Trail Game
| Level | Average |
| Starting Point | Tourist Office – 6 rue de La Barre in Notre Dame de Monts |
| Distance | 4.5 km |
| Duration | 2h |
02. Playgrounds
Here are our favorite spots
💡 Good to know: The play area is entirely fenced with a secure gate. The wooden hut is suitable from 2 years old.
Esplanade de la Mer play area in Notre Dame de Monts
Like something from Robinson Crusoe, this beachfront playground, with its twisted wooden masts doesn’t go unnoticed. Agility and strength trail, ropes to climb and swing on and balance games for the brave. Maybe not easily mastered, but the reward is a super descent on the slide. A double swing, facing the sea adds to the fun and can only encourage dreams and imagination.
As for the youngest, they’re not left out, a wooden hut with a slide reserved just for them. Whatever your reason to be out and about, coming back from the beach, walk to the restaurant or evening stroll this playground is a must for those who are still children at heart.
💡 Good to know: The play area is entirely fenced with a secure gate. The wooden hut is suitable from 2 years old.
Estacade play area in Saint Jean de Monts
Its special feature is a giant spider made up of ropes and passages. Your little ones just need to work their way through – why not look out over the horizon upside down?! For those who prefer to keep their feet on the ground, they can relax in a specially adapted playground with wooden loungers just a few feet away!
🚀 The bonus: the sky’s the limit.
How about landing some kickflips?
There is a 2,000 m² facility dedicated to board sports in the centre of La Barre de Monts.
Beginners and experts will find something to suit them in this park made up of waxed concrete modules: introduction to practice on curves, inclined planes or even rails for the more experienced. It is always a great opportunity to share an afternoon of challenge with friends.
Another particularity of this park is the presence of an asphalt pumptrack. This closed circuit course, consisting of whoops and turned up curves, will delight roller sports enthusiasts. Drivers of scooters, mountain bikes or skateboarders enjoy meeting up to challenge each other on these curves, in search of great sensations. A significant advantage is that the skate park is located close to a bus stop, so there is no excuse for teenagers from the surrounding area to easily access the site.
03. Make the most of the sunshine
Who says the summer is over?
There’s not just one, but nine beaches, which are supervised during the summer. All have ample free parking close by, and all slope gradually down to the sea with its gentle current.
Urban, unspoiled, relaxed or family-friendly – there’s something here to make everyone’s dreams come true.
All the beaches are west facing which means they enjoy the maximum amount of sunshine all year round. A real dose of vitamin C just like a glass of orange juice!
Over-crowding is never a problem as there’s 19km of beach available.
How to make the fun last:
- Play hopscotch on the beach
- Start a collection of pretty or unusual shells
- Build a sandcastle
- Dig a tunnel to the sea
- Run in the water, jump, crawl or pretend you’re a crab!
04. Listen to nature
Our best spots for discovery
“I want to find out about the secrets of the coast and the forest. It’s possible thanks to this tablet-led interactive walking trail, and doing it with friends or family, it’s even better!”
Biotopia is for me
🌱 50 avenue Abbé Thibaud, 85690 Notre Dame de Monts
“A former windmill, a little bit of poetry, lots of magic and a range of creative activities for all the family – we’re on our way!”*
I’m setting sail for the Jardin du Vent
🪁 29 bis rue Gilbert Cesbron, 85690 Notre Dame de Monts
“The Tourist Office advised me to visit this water tower which is a real local top-spot. I’m told that the 360° views from the top are exceptional…”
Head to Kulmino
🏰 La Grande Croix, Route du Perrier, 85690 Notre Dame de Monts
“I’m looking for an original way to immerse myself in the ways of the Breton-Vendee marshes. Flora and fauna, salt cultivation and protected landscapes – I’ve been told the children will love it!”
Direct to Le Daviaud
🌾 Lieu-dit : “Le Daviaud”, 85550 La Barre de Monts
05. Jump into the water
And take to the ocean
At the edge of the ocean there are some great activities not to be missed. You dip your toes in cautiously, perhaps gently splash your neck, and then… you’re in!
Paddling and splashing: 0-5 years
Before proper swimming, come and play in the Océabul splash pool where you can feel like a fish in the water.
Jump into the water : 5-7 years
For first experiences of water sports – learn the basics of trimaran and about the world of sailing.
Hoist the sail: from 8 years
No more apprehension – it’s time to say hello to the wonderful experience of sand-yachting! How great to fly like the wind acoss the huge sandy beaches … it’s a real taste of freedom.
Out to sea : from 15 years
Sea-walking, paddle-boarding, kite surfing, sea-tubing: now everything is possible. But don’t forget to come back to dry-land!
06. Discover the How and Why
Visits to the local producers
“Daddy – which cow does chocolate come from?”
Do you give up ? If so, ask one of our local producers! Beer brewing, chocolate making, salt producing, or oyster farming, all with artisans available to allow you to discover the passion of their trade. Find out about their skills and then taste the results – there’s a great programme of activities.
“How do you grow oysters?”
Useful addresses :
🍺 Local craft brewery: La Petite Ramonière
→ Lieu-dit La Petite Ramonière, 85690 Notre Dame de Monts
🦪 Looking for that rare pearl: L’Huîtrière de Fromentine – oyster farm
→ Chemin des Ostréiculteurs, 85550 La Barre de Monts – Fromentine
🍫 An ethical treat: Chocolate manufacturer 20° Nord 20° Sud.
→ 11 Route de la Taillée, 85690 Notre Dame de Monts
🧂 Add a pinch of salt:
- Le Marais Salant Les Boucheaux – 17 Rue du Gois 85230 Beauvoir-sur-Mer
- Le Marais Salant Prédevie – 85270 Saint-Hilaire de Riez
07. Extend your playtime
Activity centres for all tastes:
🌲 Explora Parc
Do you know about this park that has everything?
Originally a treetop adventure park, it is now a superb multi-activity centre set among the huge pine-trees – welcome to THE activity park in the Pays de Saint de Monts. A variety of activities for your day in the heart of the forest:
- 14 tree-top high wire adventure trails
- Trampo’ filet (net-trampoline play area)
- Archery
- Virtual Reality Games
- Orienteering challenges
Each activity is perfectly blended into its surrounding natural environment and is led by top level professionals. Are you ready? Get set – GO!
📌 Rue de la Parée Jésus, 85160 Saint Jean de Monts
💦 Atlantic Toboggan
With a variety of outdoor spaces around different pools and slides, Atlantic Toboggan water park has certainly maintained its appeal. If you don’t believe us, come and try it! Whether you’re looking for thrills and sensations for adults or more gentle activities for the children, each member of the family will have their rush of adrenaline. So will it be the water slides, the wave pool or the Dedalo Kids play area?
📌 42 Avenue des Becs, 85270 Saint-Hilaire de Riez
⚔️ Le Puy du Fou
What can we say about this Internationally recognised Vendeen theme park? Just 1 hour 45mins away from Pays de Saint Jean de Monts, you will experience the magic of the amazing shows, the detail of the fantastic sets and immerse yourself in events from French history. A fantastic day out which will leave both adults and children mesmerised and enthralled!
📌 Puy du Fou, 85590 Les Epesses
👉 To find out more about our best theme parks – it’s here!
08. Stars in your eyes
Go straight home at the end of the day? No chance! We prefer to…
- Walk along the pier at night #magique #insolite #aveclesenfants
- Enjoy a concert among the pine-trees #musique #horsdutemps #festivités
- Stroll along the promenade in Notre Dame de Monts #détendu #océan #horizon
