Unforgettable holiday – here’s what you can do! Choose from this list of activities, for all the family.

#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. 

🏴 Starting point: Rue de la Parée Jésus (car park near the bicycle path), Saint Jean de Monts

Duration : 2:00

🔍 Markers: Wind signs

📍 Distance : 5,2 km

🚶‍♀️ Level : Easy

The route booklet is for sale at 1€ in the Tourist Offices (available in English).

🌿 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

🏴 Starting point: Rue de la Parée Jésus in Saint Jean de Monts

Duration : 2:00

🔍 Markers: 42 wooden marker posts

📍 Distance : 2,5 km

🚶‍♀️ Level : Difficult


Les Sirènes de Notre Dame

Mystery trail game 

🏴 Starting point: Tourist Office – 6 rue de La Barre in Notre Dame de Monts

Duration : 2:00

📍 Distance : 4,5 km

🚶‍♀️ Level : Average

#02 – Playgrounds

Our favourite spots 

Esplanade de la Mer play area in Notre Dame de Monts

playground in notre dame de monts in vendée

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.

Find out more

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 petty 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 – The coastline and forest’s world

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Biotopia – The coastline and forest’s world

NOTRE-DAME-DE-MONTS

Discover what nature has to hide from you at Notre Dame de Monts.Biotopia is the only site of its kind in the Vendée, offering a fun, interactive and educational way to learn about the environment. From the forest to the ocean, via the dunes and the foreshore, in the heart of a preserved and wild…

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“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!” 

Jardin du Vent

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Jardin du Vent

NOTRE-DAME-DE-MONTS

At the foot of a windmill topped with sails, the Jardin du Vent offers an artistic and entertaining walk. Animated sculptures, huts, wind games and legends punctuate this magical journey right through the heart of Notre Dame de Monts. A place for experimentation, reading and relaxation, it houses a library open all year round. Concerts,…

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“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…” 

KULMINO

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KULMINO

NOTRE-DAME-DE-MONTS

The water tower opens its doors to you and invites you to experience a spectacular escape 70 metres above the ground! From the top of the platform, reached by lift, you can enjoy a breathtaking view. Preferably on a clear, sunny day, so you don’t get your head stuck in the clouds… The panorama extends…

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“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!” 

Le Daviaud – A total immersion in the marshes
OT Pays de Saint Jean de Monts

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Le Daviaud – A total immersion in the marshes

LA BARRE-DE-MONTS

A Musée de France, Le Daviaud is the nerve centre of the Marais Breton Vendéen. It plunges you into the heart of an exceptional natural area with a unique culture, a rich heritage and remarkable biodiversity. Theadventure begins with a 250m² gallery: Le Marais et les Hommes (The Marsh and its People). The lively, modern…

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#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. Please note that oceabul will be closed for reparis from 6 December 2024.

Jump into the water : 5-7 years 

For first experiences of water sports – learn the basics of trimaran and about the world of sailing.

Photo de catamarans sur la plage à Notre Dame de Monts

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?”  “How do you grow oysters?”  

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.  

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: 

Les Boucheaux17 Rue du Gois, 85230 Beauvoir-sur-Mer

Les BlanchesRue des Sables, 85230 Beauvoir-sur-Mer

 Les Valencières : Route du Port des Champs, 85230 Bouin

#07 – Extend your playtime

Activity centres for all tastes

Explora Parc

High-ropes course at explora parc in pays de saint jean de monts

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)
  • Archer
  • 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? 

atlantic toboggan, picture of a big slide

📌 42 Avenue des Becs, 85270 Saint-Hilaire de Riez  

Le Puy du Fou

One of the show of the Puy du Fou theme park

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 

#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 
  • Enjoy a concert among the pine-trees 
  • Stroll along the promenade in Notre Dame de Monts

All our tips and tricks

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The Pays de Saint Jean de Monts, on the Vendée coast, is well known for its long sandy beaches, its mild climate and lots of outdoor activities.  Whether you’re planning a family holiday, a long weekend of sporting activities, or just an escape from the routine and a chance to relax, this region has something…

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About Catherine

Born and bred in Birmingham but with maternal French roots, I had a lifelong ambition to live in France and eventually moved here in 2015.

This region is very special - I love being able to walk on the beaches and along the dunes. There’s also the option to wander along the forest paths or cycle along the marshes where you can spot all sorts of birds. Each environment is special and when you add the beautiful blue skies and sunshine – there’s nothing better!

I really enjoy working on various projects with colleagues at the Pays de Saint Jean de Monts Tourist Office. It’s great to be part of their work to constantly improve the holiday experience for English speaking visitors.

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